Beyond My Comfort Zone: From Starting Over in a New Country to Finding My Voice as a Leader

Sometimes, the biggest growth in life begins with a decision that scares you the most.

A few years ago, I packed my life into 7 suitcases, left everything familiar behind, and moved from Tel Aviv to New York City.

I didn't have a network waiting for me. I didn't have years of relationships to lean on. I was stepping into a new country, a different culture, and a professional environment I still had so much to learn about.

What I did have was determination, curiosity, and a belief that I was capable of more than I had already accomplished.

Looking back, that decision became one of the most defining chapters of my life, not just professionally but personally.

And while my journey has taken me from building teams to leading talent acquisition across the Americas, the most valuable lessons weren't necessarily about recruiting or business.

They were about resilience, courage, people, and learning to believe in myself even when the path ahead wasn't clear.

Starting Over Doesn't Mean Starting From Scratch

When I moved to New York, I was already an experienced talent acquisition professional. I had spent years building my career in Israel, working with technology companies, developing relationships, and learning how to identify and attract exceptional talent.

But moving to a new country changes everything.

Suddenly, you're learning a new business culture, building relationships from the ground up, navigating unfamiliar situations, and finding your place in an environment where you don't yet have the same sense of belonging.

There were moments when things felt overwhelming. Moments when I questioned myself and my decision to move, when I missed the familiarity of home, and when I had to remind myself why I had made this decision in the first place.

But I learned something important:

Starting over doesn't erase everything you've built. It gives you an opportunity to discover how much of it you carry within yourself.

My experience, values, work ethic, and determination came with me. I just had to learn how to apply them in a new environment.

And slowly, what once felt unfamiliar began to feel like a second home.

Growth Rarely Happens Where You're Comfortable

Throughout my career, I've always been drawn to opportunities that challenge me.

At monday.com, I had the opportunity to be part of an incredible growth journey, helping scale teams across international markets and contributing to the company's global expansion.

Relocating to New York was part of that journey, and it pushed me far beyond what I had previously known.

I had to adapt quickly, understand a new market, build trust with new stakeholders, and develop hiring strategies that could support ambitious business goals.

But beyond the professional challenges, I was also building an entirely new life.

And that required a different kind of strength.

It required learning to be comfortable with uncertainty, accepting that I wouldn't always have the answers, and understanding that making mistakes was part of the process.

I stopped expecting myself to know everything and started focusing on learning as much as I could.

I asked questions. I listened. I worked hard. I made mistakes, learned from them, and kept going.

Because confidence doesn't always come before taking a leap. Sometimes, confidence is what you build by taking it.

Resilience Is Built in the Moments Nobody Sees

When people look at someone's career, they often see the titles, promotions, accomplishments, and milestones.

What they don't always see is everything that happens in between.

The difficult decisions. The uncertainty. The long days. The moments of self-doubt. The sacrifices that come with pursuing something bigger. The loneliness, the longing for home, and the comfort of everything familiar.

I've learned that resilience isn't about never feeling afraid or overwhelmed.

It's about continuing to move forward even when you do.

There were times when I had to push myself harder than I thought possible, personally and professionally.

And while those moments weren't always easy, they taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my life.

They taught me to trust myself.

To be patient with my own growth.

To understand that not every challenge needs an immediate solution.

And most importantly, to recognize that I was capable of navigating situations that once seemed intimidating.

You don't become resilient because everything works out. You become resilient because you learn that you can handle things even when they don't.

Becoming a Leader Is About More Than a Title

Today, I have the privilege of leading Talent Acquisition for the Americas at Upwind Security, helping build and scale teams during an exciting period of growth.

When I look back at where I started, I'm proud of my professional journey.

But what means even more to me is the leader I've become along the way.

Early in my career, I thought leadership was primarily about expertise, making decisions, and delivering results.

And while those things matter, experience has taught me that leadership is so much more.

It's about empathy.

It's about listening, even when you think you already know the answer.

It's about having difficult conversations with honesty and respect.

It's about recognizing potential in people, sometimes before they recognize it in themselves.

And it's about creating an environment where others feel empowered to grow, challenge themselves, make mistakes, and succeed.

I've been fortunate to work alongside incredible people who have challenged me, supported me, and helped shape the way I lead.

Those relationships have reinforced something I deeply believe:

You can be ambitious, driven, and focused on results without losing your kindness, authenticity, or humanity.

In fact, I believe those qualities make you a stronger leader.

The Human Side of Success

Working in talent acquisition has given me a unique perspective on people's professional journeys.

I've spent more than a decade meeting individuals at different stages of their careers, hearing their stories, understanding their ambitions, and helping connect them with opportunities.

And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that success rarely follows a straight line.

Some people find their direction early. Others discover it after taking unexpected turns.

Some of the most talented people I've met didn't necessarily have the most traditional backgrounds or the most impressive titles. However, I saw their potential and gave them their first opportunity to break into the industry. Seeing where they are today—growing into leaders, building successful careers, and achieving things they once never imagined possible—is by far one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

What they had was curiosity, determination, and the willingness to keep learning.

As our industry evolves, especially with the rapid advancement of AI, I believe these qualities will become even more important.

Technology is transforming the way we work, recruit, and make decisions.

We have access to tools and information that allow us to move faster than ever before.

But I believe our greatest opportunity is to embrace that innovation without losing the human connection that makes our work meaningful.

Because behind every résumé is a person.

Behind every career decision is a story.

And behind every successful team are individuals who want to feel valued, supported, and inspired.

That human element is something I never want to lose.

What I Would Tell the Woman Who First Arrived in a New Country

If I could go back and speak to the woman who arrived in a new country with a few suitcases, big ambitions, and no real idea of what the next chapter would look like, I would tell her a few things.

Don't be afraid of the unknown.

You don't need to have everything figured out before taking the next step.

Don't underestimate yourself.

You are capable of far more than you realize, and sometimes you need to put yourself in unfamiliar situations to discover it.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Some of your most valuable lessons will come from things that didn't go according to plan.

Invest in yourself.

Stay curious. Ask questions. Learn from the people around you. Put in the time and effort, even when the results aren't immediate.

And never lose sight of who you are.

Your values, empathy, loyalty, and authenticity are not separate from your professional success. They're part of what makes you successful.

Most importantly, I would tell her to enjoy the journey a little more.

To celebrate the small wins.

To appreciate the people she meets along the way.

And to remember that growth isn't measured only by how far you've come professionally, but also by how much you've grown as a person.

To Every Woman Standing at the Beginning of Something New

Whether you're considering moving to a new country, changing careers, stepping into a leadership role, or pursuing an opportunity that feels just beyond your reach, I want you to know something.

You don't have to feel completely ready.

You don't need to know all the answers.

And you certainly don't need to wait until the fear disappears.

Be open to learning. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Work hard, stay humble, and believe in your ability to make an impact.

There will be moments when things don't go as planned.

There will be setbacks, difficult decisions, and times when you question whether you're on the right path.

But don't let those moments define what you're capable of achieving.

Let them teach you.

Let them strengthen you.

And let them remind you that becoming the best version of yourself is a journey, not a destination.

When I left Tel Aviv for New York, I thought I was taking the next step in my career.

What I didn't realize was that I was also beginning a journey of discovering who I could become.

And if there's one thing I hope my story inspires others to believe, it's this:

You don't have to know exactly where the road will take you. Sometimes, you just have to be brave enough to take the first step, trust yourself along the way, and give yourself the opportunity to become more than you ever imagined.

Because the most meaningful success isn't just about what you achieve. It's about who you become along the way.