Herzlia alumna and Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors, Leora Hessen, has built a career around spotting opportunities, embracing new ideas and bringing people together.
Since leaving Herzlia, she has worked across a remarkably diverse range of industries, from fashion and retail to experiential events, technology and education. Many South Africans will know her as the co-founder of Artjamming South Africa, while her latest venture, Hello Aida, sits at the intersection of education and artificial intelligence (AI).
For Leora, the inspiration behind Hello Aida came from a very personal place. “As both a parent and someone working in AI, I became increasingly concerned that many pupils were using AI tools to shortcut thinking rather than strengthen it,” she explains. “I wanted to build something that would help young people use AI responsibly while still developing understanding, reasoning and confidence.”
The result is Hello Aida, a South African-developed AI tutor designed to support school pupils through guided learning rather than simply providing answers. The platform aims to encourage critical thinking while helping pupils engage more personally with their work.
While the technology itself is new, the challenge it seeks to address is not. Educators around the world are grappling with how to help young people navigate a rapidly changing landscape where artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life.
Leora believes the focus should remain on the skills that matter most as “the world is changing incredibly quickly and your ability to adapt, think critically, stay curious and keep learning will matter more than memorising facts.”
One of the highlights of her journey so far has been showcasing Hello Aida at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Cape Town. Yet she says the most rewarding moments are often the simplest ones: hearing from pupils and teachers who feel more confident because of the support the platform provides.
Alongside her professional work, Leora continues to contribute to the Herzlia community through her role on the Board of Governors, helping to support the school’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
Leora’s advice to current Herzlia pupils is simply “don’t be afraid of technology, learn how to use it responsibly and creatively to build things that make a difference.”
It’s a message that reflects a journey shaped by curiosity, entrepreneurship and a willingness to keep learning, which are qualities that continue to open new doors in an ever-changing world!
