What People Are Saying

Lectures and Public Speaking

Innovation Stories: 2015 - present

I have been giving talks under the theme of Innovation Stories since 2015 in North America and Israel to audiences of up to 1,400 people. Part innovation news, part innovation history, part research insights, part lessons of failure, and part innovation analysis, the lecture constantly evolves because innovation moves fast and new solutions are always emerging.

"Viva is a remarkable speaker!
I have attended two of her talks - one for adults and another for teens. Her style is highly engaging and her materials are relevant, audience-specific, on-point and contemporary. She is absolutely riveting!"
Diane Friedman
Co-chair, King David High School PAC, Vancouver, Canada

"For those seeking a different perspective on contemporary Israel than the one which usually makes the headlines, Viva Press provides it. Our community very much enjoyed hearing about all the amazing high-tech advances that have made Israel into a "start-up" nation. Viva's engaging presentation style helped make accessible to our community the complex technologies that form the core of her expertise."
Rabbi Ed Elkin
First Narayever Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Viva is very knowledgeable and has a wealth of experience covering the start-up scene and entrepreneurial culture in Israel. She is a fantastic speaker who captivates the audience and provides phenomenal content and perspective."
Michael Eglash
Upstart Ideas, Israel

"On stage, Viva Sarah Press demonstrates a commanding and compelling grasp of Israeli technology and innovation and the ways they influence and impact a broader global society. She is a skilled storyteller who is able to turn complex narratives into relatable anecdotes that both engage the audience and leave people eager to hear more. Her wealth of experience and expertise is complemented by her dry wit and straightforward approach, all of which make her the perfect panelist or keynote speaker for any audience or occasion."
Alison Goldstein Lebovitz
PBS host, Chattanooga, Tennessee

"Our synagogue had the opportunity to learn with Viva over Zoom during the Covid-19 shutdown. Her presentation was excellent and compelling. She was insightful and engaging. The congregants loved her material and presentation style. It was a great use of technology. Thank you, Viva."
Rabbi Jonathan Infeld
Congregation Beth Israel, Vancouver, Canada

"Viva was our third and final speaker in our annual Israel Speaker series last year; Ari Shavit and David Horovitz were here earlier in the year. Her material was compelling, she was engaging and it was a perfect way to finish off the series and a superb way to highlight Israel."
Rabbi Debbi Till
Rochester, New York, USA

Stories of Resilience: 2023-2024

This lecture series came about following the ferocious Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. I created an online session that gave communities outside of Israel an inside look at day-to-day life here, as well as a peek at grassroots initiatives, resilience, and rebuilding.

The online talk included news stories that did not make it to the international headlines, anecdotes of daily life in the wake of the massacres, and innovations for good born even in the dark and difficult times.

I gave the lecture to some two dozen communities in North America and Europe.

Na’amat Canada honored this lecture with the Best Program Award in 2024.

"Sobering but inspiring look into life in Israel at this critical moment in history."