This article originally appeared in Maariv on June 13, 2026. Written by Talia Levin. Translated from Hebrew.
In a joint interview, Tzachi Iron, CEO of investment firm Psagot, and his mentee Yonatan Kassin, a former combat soldier taking his first steps in the financial sector, discuss the connection between military service and business leadership—and how the IMPACT! mentoring program brought them together.
Between the boardrooms of the capital markets and life journeys that begin far from them, meaningful connections are sometimes formed not through résumés, but through shared starting points.
Tzachi Iron, CEO of Psagot investment firm, was not born into the financial sector, nor did he grow up with an established network of professional connections. His journey began in Jerusalem, continued through combat service as a commander in the Israel Defense Forces’ Oketz Unit, and progressed through academic studies funded by scholarships rather than family wealth.
Today, as he leads Psagot and oversees growth initiatives, innovation, and the launch of an independent trading platform, Iron finds himself on the other side of the equation—opening doors for others.
One such door was opened for Yonatan Kassin (26), a former soldier in the Kfir Brigade who grew up in boarding schools after being removed from his home at a young age and is now beginning his professional career.
A Connection Beyond Career Advice
Their relationship began through FIDF’s IMPACT! mentoring program, an initiative that connects successful alumni with current scholarship recipients and recent graduates. What started as professional guidance quickly evolved into something deeper: a process of self-discovery and personal development.
Iron himself first encountered IMPACT! while looking for ways to finance his studies after military service.
“It was a scholarship worth several thousand dollars—a significant amount at the time, especially for someone who didn’t come from a strong financial background,” he recalls.
Beyond financial support, IMPACT! provided him with a sense of belonging and a supportive community. During his studies, he even met the donor who funded his scholarship.
“It was a very emotional moment, and that’s when I promised myself that one day I would give back as well.”
A Career Built Step by Step
Iron began his professional career while still studying, working on security-related projects in Europe and Africa. After graduation, he joined the Israel Tax Authority and later the Ministry of Finance before moving to the private sector as CFO of a defense company operating in Africa.
Eventually, he became a partner in an accounting firm and later joined Psagot, where he maintained close ties with IMPACT! and actively supported new scholarship recipients.
He later helped establish a specialized activity within Psagot focused on trust management and complex capital-market transactions, eventually leading a group of investors in acquiring the investment firm itself.
“It was a major decision with a great deal of uncertainty, but also a belief that we could build something new.”
Today, Iron is leading a transformation process at Psagot aimed at redefining the role of an investment house in an era of self-directed investors, accessible technology, and increasing competition.
“People want to understand their finances, manage their investments, and take control of their money. Our role is not only to manage assets for them but also to provide tools, transparency, and access.”
Choosing the Right Starting Point
Like Iron, Kassin did not begin his journey with a clear roadmap. “I grew up in Ashdod in a family facing economic challenges. At a certain point, I left home and moved between boarding schools,” he says. “Financial issues always motivated me. I knew I wanted to change my situation, but I didn’t have a clear model or direction.”
After completing his military service, Kassin decided to pursue higher education and enter the world of economics and finance. However, he struggled to identify the right entry point.
“I knew I wanted to work in finance, but I didn’t really understand where. It’s a broad field, and it can be intimidating when you don’t have guidance.”
Iron remembers their early meetings: “It was clear that Yonatan wanted to move forward, but he didn’t yet know exactly where. At that stage, the choices you make can shape your entire career.”
At one point, Kassin received an offer from a credit company. However, after examining the role more closely, he realized it might limit his future opportunities.
“We took a step back and reconsidered,” Iron says. “I preferred that he join a larger organization that would expose him to different aspects of the market and allow him to make informed decisions about his future.”
Building Confidence
One of the recurring themes in their conversations was the gap between knowledge and confidence. According to Iron, this challenge is particularly common among young professionals who lack strong networks or family connections. “Many people have the knowledge and work hard, but they lack the confidence to say, ‘I’m qualified’ or ‘I can do this.’ Mentorship helps build that confidence.”
Ultimately, Kassin was offered an opportunity to join Psagot. Even then, Iron insisted that the process remain fair. “I told him, ‘You’ll enter like everyone else. Send your résumé, go through interviews, meet HR. I’m not intervening. I want you to be chosen on your own merit.’”
The result, Iron says, was a significant transformation. “I watched him move from hoping to be accepted to understanding that he had something valuable to offer.”
Kassin agrees: “At first it felt unnatural to talk openly with someone in such a senior position. But over time I realized that this was exactly where growth happens. Our conversations helped me understand what I really wanted.”
Military Service as an Asset
Both men believe that military service provides valuable tools for professional life. Iron explains: “Combat service teaches resilience, perseverance, and the ability to work hard under difficult conditions. I wanted Yonatan to remember that these are assets when sitting in a job interview.”
Kassin adds: “I try to bring those qualities into my work—investing effort, learning continuously, and always striving to improve.”
Giving Back
For Iron, participating in IMPACT! is not only about personal gratitude but also about leadership. “Of course there’s an element of giving back. I received help, and I want to pass it on. But there’s something bigger here. If we want a stronger economy, we need to invest in the people entering it.”
He believes leadership extends beyond financial results. “Management isn’t only about financial performance. It’s also about the people you bring in, the opportunities you create, and the impact you have beyond the balance sheet.”
Kassin, meanwhile, is already looking ahead. “I still have a lot to learn, but today I have a much clearer understanding of where I want to go.”
Perhaps most fittingly, the cycle may continue. “When Tzachi told me that he had once been a scholarship recipient himself and wanted to give back,” Kassin says, “I thought to myself: maybe one day I’ll be in that position too.”
Orna Pesach, CEO of IMPACT, concludes: “We believe that graduation is not the end of the scholarship journey but the beginning of a new chapter. Through IMPACT! Mentor, we connect recent graduates with senior executives—many of whom were scholarship recipients themselves—who choose to share their knowledge, experience, and guidance. These relationships create long-term impact, not only on careers but also on confidence, identity, and a sense of capability. The connection between Tzachi Iron and Yonatan Kassin is a powerful example of how personal guidance, experience, and trust can transform potential into real opportunity.”
Learn more about FIDF’s IMPACT! scholarship and other education programs.
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