HR The Next Leap
ISI: “Functioning alongside uncertainty has become part of our routine”
Lee Weinstock, Head of HR at ImageSat International (ISI), discusses the emotional weight responsible for sector burnout, and the move against power plays in recruitment, as part of CTech’s HR: The Next Leap series.
“Unfortunately, the reality in Israel requires organizations to develop strong operational resilience alongside high human sensitivity,” says Lee Weinstock, Head of HR at ImageSat International (ISI), an aerospace company that develops space-based intelligence solutions. Weinstock notes that the normalization of everyday disruptions, like pausing mid-interview, “reflects how functioning alongside uncertainty has become part of our routine.” As people professionals, she explains, “we strive to maintain a delicate balance between flexibility and empathy, and the need for business continuity.”
From active and looming war threats, to AI rapidly and constantly redefining what it means to be productive, running a company in Startup Nation brings with it its own category of challenges and rewards. HR: The Next Leap takes a glimpse into the heart of Startup Nation via the HR professionals shaping its culture. We survey the executives whose jobs are more demanding and more vital than ever, as they heed the future-proofing of their workforce, while simultaneously ensuring business continuity and employee wellbeing during relentlessly unprecedented times.
When it comes to other contemporary influences on the workforce, Weinstock believes the AI revolution is “fueling the creation of new roles and professions at a rapid pace, while also deepening and broadening knowledge within existing positions.” On a local level, she challenges widespread fears of a “brain drain,” which have not materialized at the company, with employees instead demonstrating a growing commitment to the local economy and society. “Ultimately, people stay where they feel connected professionally, personally, and in terms of values,” says Weinstock.
You can read the entire interview below.
Company Name: IMAGESAT INTERNATIONAL (I.S.I) LTD.
Sector: Aerospace
Year of Founding: 1999
Investment stage: IPO
Total IPO Proceeds (Net): $62 million
Investors: FIMI 6 2016 LTD, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Altshuler Shaham Provident Funds and Pensions LTD., and othersentures, Twilio, Hanaco Ventures, Spider Capital, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator
Current number of employees: 155
Open positions: 9
Website: https://imagesatintl.com/
Social Media: x
As of March 2026, the market officially shifted into an 'employer's market'. How have your screening criteria changed, and do candidates - including senior-level ones - still hold any leverage in negotiating salaries and terms?
Our approach to compensation and benefits has not fundamentally changed, as we have never managed this process from a position of “power” or based on market fluctuations. In both candidate-driven markets and the current environment, we consistently base our offers on professional fit, relevant experience, and role requirements. For us, discussions around compensation and benefits are part of a fair and transparent dialogue with candidates, rather than a tool for one-sided negotiation. This approach allows us to maintain stability even during periods of market change.
How have/are you managing operational continuity and recruitment while the economy navigates the emergency state triggered by the conflict with Iran? With the threat of escalation looming at any moment, how are you and have you been handling everything from interviews interrupted by sirens to managing teams thinned by massive, ongoing reserve duty?
Unfortunately, the reality in Israel requires organizations to develop strong operational resilience alongside high human sensitivity. We see this in practice – teams pausing interviews, whether virtual or in person, due to sirens, and then returning to the exact same point with full professionalism. This reflects how functioning alongside uncertainty has become part of our routine.
At the same time, we strive to maintain a delicate balance between flexibility and empathy, and the need for business continuity. On one hand, we provide employees with as much understanding, space, and flexibility as possible; on the other, we maintain clear expectations regarding accountability and ongoing performance. Naturally, there has been some decline in work pace, but our management team has demonstrated strong awareness of the situation and responded with increased patience and understanding.
Ultimately, an organization’s ability to navigate such periods depends on balance – the ability to support and show empathy while maintaining standards and continuity. This is a complex challenge for both managers and employees, but it is essential for organizational stability.
Beyond the role of empowering employees, which roles has AI eliminated over the past year, what percentage of your workforce was reskilled to avoid being phased out, and how has this impacted entry-level hiring?
We see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a driver that expands capabilities and creates new opportunities. From our perspective, it is fueling the creation of new roles and professions at a rapid pace, while also deepening and broadening knowledge within existing positions.
AI encourages continuous learning, curiosity, and professional growth, raising the level of value each employee can bring to the organization. Rather than reducing the scope of work, it expands it and raises the bar for meaningful participation.
We view this as an opportunity to empower employees, enhance productivity, and build a more advanced and dynamic work environment.
When it comes to hiring, we see strong value in opening entry-level positions – more than ever. Early-career employees can integrate and ramp up faster, in part thanks to AI tools that act as a kind of “digital mentor,” supporting learning and onboarding.
Against the backdrop of the unstable security and political climate, are you seeing an increase in relocation requests or 'quiet quitting' by top-tier talent moving abroad, and what is the most proactive step you are taking to retain them in Israel?
From my experience – both within our organization and through ongoing conversations with peers – the prevailing trend is not one of departure, but rather a strengthening desire to remain in Israel. We see growing commitment, loyalty, and motivation to contribute to the local economy and society.
For many, a sense of purpose, community, and connection to the country plays a key role in their decision to stay, even during challenging times.
As an organization, we focus on strengthening stability, purpose, and a sense of belonging. Ultimately, people stay where they feel connected – professionally, personally, and in terms of values.
In an era where stability has replaced flashy perks, how are you addressing the deep mental burnout of employees torn between the professional and security fronts, and what is the most critical benefit you offer today in place of the bonuses that have vanished?
In today’s environment, burnout is not just about workload, it’s about emotional weight. Employees are navigating a constant overlap between their professional roles and a much broader reality, which naturally impacts focus, energy, and resilience.
We don’t believe this can be addressed through perks or compensation alone. Instead, our focus is on reinforcing a strong sense of purpose and connection to the organization’s mission. When people understand the impact of what they do, and feel that their work matters, it creates a different kind of resilience.
We place significant emphasis on open, direct communication and on keeping employees closely connected to the company’s direction and goals, even during challenging periods.
Today, the most meaningful benefit we can offer is a sense of relevance — knowing that your work has an impact, that you are part of something important, and that your contribution truly matters.
On a personal level, I believe that in times like these, a strong sense of purpose is one of the most effective ways to navigate burnout.
