Yaron Klein

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University

“I’m a father and husband first. I try to find purpose in what I do and grow through discomfort.”

Hometown: Petach Tikva, Israel

Fun Fact About Yourself: I met my wife through the Israeli Scouts youth movement when we were teenagers, and we reconnected in the same community 10 years later.

Undergraduate School and Major: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev – B.A. in Business Administration and Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: IronVest – Product Manager (Cybersecurity startup focused on digital banking security and identity protection)

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Cornell’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Choosing Cornell Johnson meant choosing to be part of the larger Cornell University ecosystem. With a mission to launch an impact-focused VC fund supporting founders tackling climate and energy challenges, I was drawn to Johnson’s unique integration with other colleges across campus. Programs like the Green Technology Innovation Fellowship reflect something deeper, access to interdisciplinary collaboration. The ability to work with engineers, scientists, and policy experts gives me the perspective I need to become not just an investor, but a thoughtful partner to the founders I hope to support.

What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? I knew that pursuing an MBA wouldn’t just be my journey; it would be a family journey. I wanted my wife to feel like an equal partner in the decision, so we kept an open and honest conversation throughout the process. As we explored different programs, we started speaking with Cornell Johnson MBA couples in Ithaca. That’s when Ithaca started to come alive for us. We found ourselves drawn to the sense of community, even from afar. People were warm, helpful, and real. The more we spoke with them, the more we imagined ourselves there, hiking in the state parks just like we did back in Israel, spending weekends outdoors with our daughter, and exploring the many wineries that surround the area.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? There’s so much at Johnson that excites me, from the flexibility of the Customized Immersion to opportunities at the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise like the EFII Fellows Program. But the one that resonates most deeply is Big Red Ventures, Johnson’s student-led venture fund. It reflects how I want to grow, not just as an investor, but as a member of a purpose-driven community. Having worked on both sides of the table, as a VC investor and a startup operator, I’ve seen how powerful early-stage support can be for founders with bold, impactful ideas. BRV offers a rare opportunity to make real investment decisions while backing ventures born within the Cornell ecosystem. Being part of a fund that values purpose as much as performance is exactly the kind of experience I came to Johnson to enjoy.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? I’ve always been someone who values real human connection. Growing up in a youth movement and later navigating high-pressure environments such as startup teams and VC boards, I found that my instinct is to slow down, listen, and bring clarity to others. I’m often the one people turn to, not because I have the loudest voice, but because I create space for others to be heard. At Cornell Johnson, I want to be the kind of classmate who brings people together, celebrates others’ wins, and shows up when it matters. I believe strong communities are built through empathy, consistency, and shared purpose. That’s the kind of energy I hope to bring to the Class of 2027.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After two years at a cybersecurity startup, wearing multiple hats across compliance, analytics, and financial modeling, I transitioned into product management by pitching a new idea directly to our CTO. I have become increasingly involved in product discussions, offering suggestions to improve the user experience. One day, I presented a concept for an AI-powered security and privacy agent that resonated deeply with our leadership team. Rather than passing it to someone else, they gave me full ownership. I planned the roadmap, coordinated with design and engineering, and led the launch. The product quickly became a strategic pillar of our consumer offering, shaping our go-to-market approach and influencing future product direction. It was the moment I realized the power of taking initiative and how product thinking could connect my analytical strengths with long-term business impact.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Success will mean walking out of Cornell Johnson with two things: a stronger, sharper version of myself, and a community I’ll carry with me for life. I want to push my limits, stretch beyond my comfort zone, and leave with the confidence and capabilities to build something meaningful. But equally important, I hope to build deep, lasting relationships with classmates, faculty, and mentors who challenge and inspire me. If two years from now I’ve grown as a leader, contributed to those around me, and felt part of something bigger than myself, I’ll know I made the most of this journey.

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