Vice Chairpersons
Sylvan Adams, Israel-Canada
A Canadian-born businessman and philanthropist, Sylvan Adams served as the CEO of Montreal-based real estate firm Iberville Developments and was the sole shareholder of Summit International Bank. In 2016, Sylvan made Aliyah with his wife Margaret and settled in Tel Aviv.
Sylvan works to promote coexistence, peace, and national pride through sports. He is the owner of Team Israel Start-Up Nation, a UCI World Tour cycling team, and was responsible for initiating and hosting the largest sporting event in Israel’s history – the start of the Giro d’Italia in 2018. He is behind the establishment of the first velodrome in the Middle East and the creation of a sports excellence institute at Tel Aviv University.
Beyond sport, Sylvan’s philanthropic investments include the construction of a children’s hospital in Holon, a state-of-the-art emergency ward in Tel Aviv, a scholarship program for young artists, and a gymnasium at the iconic Jerusalem YMCA. He is also a major donor to Save a Child’s Heart, an organization that provides life-saving cardiac care for children from the Palestinian territories and developing countries. Sylvan has funded important Jewish community institutions in North America, largely in his former home of Montreal. He is the only Israeli member of the Giving Pledge, an organization for billionaires committed to giving away much of their wealth to philanthropic pursuits.
Sylvan recently signed a pledge agreement towards the establishment of the Sylvan Adams Sports Centre and the Sylvan Adams Donor Advised Fund at BGU. He will be receiving an honorary doctoral degree at this year’s Board of Governors meeting.
Laurence Ohayon, Switzerland
Laurence Myriam Ohayon is a director of her family’s business, centered in Geneva. Its primary focus is real estate development, facility management, and energy efficiency.
After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in politics, philosophy, and economics, Laurence completed a master’s degree in real estate law in Switzerland, all whilst working alongside her father in the business he founded and built from the ground up in the 1970s.
Laurence’s father, Abraham Bendavid Ohayon z”l, was a longstanding benefactor of Ben-Gurion University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctoral Degree by BGU in 2010. The Ohayon family has supported numerous projects at the University over the years, including scholarship programs and the construction of the Abraham Bendavid Ohayon Behavioral Sciences Complex inaugurated in 2008.
Visiting BGU regularly since the early 2000s, Laurence herself has witnessed the University’s growth firsthand and has been inspired by its dynamism and unique energy.
Laurence is deeply engaged in the challenges and opportunities faced by this generation of students - including issues of the environment, energy, education, or health. She has a genuine curiosity in all realms and recently completed a degree in Nutrition DE toxicology. She is an avid reader, writes for pleasure, and has two young daughters.
Laurence has been a member of the BoG since 2021 and became Vice Chair in 2024.
Carol Saal, US
Carol Saal has been an esteemed member of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s (BGU) International Board of Governors since 1999 and has served as a Vice Chair since 2014. She is also a proud member of the BGU Society and received an Honorary Doctorate from the university in 2008 in recognition of her exceptional leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to higher education and medical research.
A visionary leader and philanthropist, Carol has played a significant role in advancing BGU’s mission, particularly through her contributions to medical research and the support of young scientists. She was instrumental in establishing the Dr. Harry and Carol Saal Auditorium in the Alon Building for Hi-Tech, furthering the university’s research and academic infrastructure.
Carol has been a passionate advocate for Jewish education, community development, and philanthropy for over four decades. She served as the President of the American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU), where she helped reengineer the organization and strengthen its fundraising efforts. She has also held key leadership positions in numerous Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Community Federation, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the Jewish Community Endowment Fund.
A former marketing executive, Carol co-founded two successful high-tech companies with her husband, Dr. Harry Saal, before transitioning into philanthropy and community leadership. She has been deeply involved in initiatives such as the Taube-Koret Campus for Jewish Life in Palo Alto, the Center for Clinical Immunology at Stanford, and numerous social impact programs.
Through her unwavering commitment to education, medical research, and Jewish life, Carol continues to shape the future of BGU and strengthen its role as a leader in research and innovation.
Toni Young, US
Toni Young has been a dedicated member of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s (BGU) Board of Governors since 2017 and has served as a Vice Chair since 2020. She currently leads BGU’s Global Campaign Committee and plays a key role in advancing the university’s international outreach and fundraising efforts. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from BGU in 2019.
A passionate advocate for Jewish causes and Israeli academia, Toni belongs to the prestigious ‘Presidents Pillars’ circle and serves on the Marcus Endowment Advisory Committee. She has been deeply committed to strengthening the ties between Jewish Americans and Israelis, particularly in the Negev region, through various leadership roles.
Before her involvement with BGU, Toni was the President of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) from 2016 to 2020 and previously served as its First Vice President. She was also the first woman to lead the Jewish Federation of Delaware, where she spearheaded its Partnership 2000 program with the city of Arad. Additionally, she has held key leadership positions in the United Jewish Communities (now Jewish Federations of North America), the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
Beyond her philanthropic work, Toni is a scholar and author, having written extensively on Jewish history and culture. Along with her late husband, Stuart B. Young, she made a transformative gift to BGU that established the Amos Oz Initiative for Literature and Culture, enriching the Negev’s literary and cultural landscape. Her recent contributions have enabled the creation of the Writers’ House in Beer-Sheva.
Toni’s enduring commitment to education, culture, and Jewish identity continues to make a lasting impact on BGU and the broader Jewish world.
Stephen Breslauer – Vice Chair, Board of Governors
Stephen Breslauer has been a dedicated member of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s (BGU) International Board of Governors since 1997 and has served as a Vice Chair since 2015. In recognition of his significant contributions to BGU and the broader Jewish community, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2006.
A committed philanthropist and leader in the Jewish and Zionist world, Stephen has played a pivotal role in advancing BGU’s mission. He was the founding Chairperson of the Greater Texas Region of the American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) and continues to serve on AABGU’s Executive Board. He has been instrumental in fostering research and scholarships at BGU, particularly through the Samuel and Helene Soref Foundation, which he and his brothers, Jim and Ben, have overseen. This foundation has generously supported the construction of the Samuel M. Soref School of Mechanical Engineering Building and the establishment of the President’s Fund for Excellence at BGU.
Beyond BGU, Stephen has held leadership positions in numerous Jewish organizations, including the Houston Jewish Federation, the United Israel Appeal, the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), where he served as Vice President. His efforts have significantly contributed to the promotion of Zionism, Jewish education, and community welfare.
Stephen’s dedication extends beyond philanthropy; he and his wife, Sandy, have volunteered in hospitals as clowns, bringing joy to sick children. His lifelong commitment to Jewish values, education, and community development continues to make a lasting impact on BGU and Israeli society.
Ellen Marcus – Vice Chair, Board of Governors
Ellen Marcus has been a dedicated member of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s (BGU) International Board of Governors since 2005 and has served as a Vice Chair since 2014. She is a member of the esteemed Presidents Pillars and serves on the Board of Governors’ Campus Development Committee. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the university and her enduring commitment to Israel, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from BGU in 2017.
Ellen has built a distinguished career in both genetic counseling and marketing communications, bringing her expertise and leadership to philanthropic and social action initiatives. A devoted member of the Jewish community in Austin, Texas, she has played an instrumental role in strengthening Jewish communal life and advancing higher education. Her passion for Israel and the Negev has driven her deep involvement with BGU, where she has worked tirelessly to support its growth and mission.
Ellen’s philanthropic legacy is closely tied to that of her late parents, Dr. Howard and Lottie Marcus, who made history by bequeathing the largest single donation ever given to an Israeli institution—$400 million—to BGU. This transformative gift significantly expanded the university’s endowment, supporting pioneering research in water reclamation, desalination, desert studies, and quantum physics, as well as campus development and scholarships.
Through her leadership, Ellen continues to honor her family’s legacy and strengthen BGU’s role as a world-class research institution. Her unwavering dedication and generosity ensure that David Ben-Gurion’s vision for the Negev and the university’s impact on Israel’s future will continue to thrive for generations to come.
