Iliana Montauk

Iliana Montauk is a Senior Product Director of Growth at Preply and the Co-Founder and CEO of Manara, a company focused on connecting talented software engineers from Gaza with tech companies around the world. She has a diverse professional background in product management and partnerships, having previously worked at Upwork as a Senior Product Manager and at Varo Money as a Product Manager.

Professional Experience

• Manara (Co-Founder and CEO): Since July 2020, Montauk has led Manara, which aims to place software engineers from Gaza in prominent tech roles, fostering opportunities for talented individuals in challenging circumstances.

• Upwork (Senior Product Manager, Talent): From January 2020 to September 2020, she managed product strategies to enhance talent services.

• Varo Money Inc. (Product Manager): She held this position for six months in 2017, focusing on product development.

• Gaza Sky Geeks (Partnerships Director and Co-Founder): Montauk was instrumental in establishing this initiative aimed at empowering tech talent in Gaza.

Education and Awards

Montauk has received several accolades, including the Fulbright Fellowship and the Journalist of the Year Award from the Northern California Society of Professional Journalists. She is multilingual, proficient in Arabic, Spanish, French, Polish, Hebrew, and English, which enhances her ability to connect with diverse communities.

Community Impact

Through her work at Manara, Montauk actively advocates for the tech community in Gaza, highlighting the resilience and talent of its individuals despite the socio-political challenges they face. Her initiatives aim not only to provide job opportunities but also to raise awareness about the conditions in Gaza and the potential of its tech workforce.12