Ilana Golan - Founder of the Leap Academy | Restarting Your Career at Any Age

Ilana Golan is a pioneering entrepreneur, international keynote speaker, and former Israeli Air Force commander, notable for being the first woman to train all F-16 pilots. She founded the successful storytelling platform Stiya and played a key role in Quali's growth, culminating in its $300 million exit.An accomplished engineer from the Technion, Ilana consistently pushes limits in both business and personal endeavors, including tech entrepreneurship, Ironman competitions, and mountaineering. She founded Golan Ventures to connect Israeli innovation with major corporations and is a general partner at Homrun, a venture capital firm focused on Israeli startups.Ilana's Leap Academy has significantly advanced numerous careers, generating millions in value. Recognized as one of the "Top 40 Women to Watch" and a "Silicon Valley Woman of Influence," she continues to inspire audiences worldwide, sharing her diverse experiences to empower personal and professional growth.

➡️ Talking Points

00:00 — Intro

01:54 — Toughest Challenge: Engineering, Flying, or Business?

03:10 — Impact of Military Training on Life and Business

09:21 — Instilling a High-Pressure Mindset in a 9-5 Job

13:04 — Journey into Entrepreneurship

16:32 — Getting Ousted from Your Own Startup

18:39 — Courage Through Failure

24:17 — Entrepreneurship Tips

28:24 — Initial Exercises for Success

34:04 — Discovering Your 'Zone of Genius'

37:33 — Managing Career Transitions

41:26 — Personal Branding Tips

45:20 — Business Mistakes to Avoid in Your 50s and 60s

48:25 — Balancing Ego and Humility

55:02 — Mastering Multiple Skills

59:25 — Finding Market Fit for Your Genius