Ilana Ronat-Mantoux has demonstrated a profound and enduring commitment to advancing Israeli science, forming a meaningful partnership with the Weizmann Institute of Science and its researchers alongside her husband, Pascal Mantoux, a 2015 PhD honoris causa recipient.
A graduate of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a background in political science, sociology, and healthcare, Mrs. Ronat-Mantoux has dedicated her career to both academic and social causes. Early on, she was a teacher at the Hebrew Gymnasium of Jerusalem and a research assistant at the Hebrew University.
Her commitment deepened through public service, first as a special assistant to the Head of the Rehabilitation Wing at the Ministry of Defense, which deals with wounded service members in Israel, and later as Head of Human Resources Planning in the Cardiology Center at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov). Over 15 years, she was instrumental in shaping the department’s organizational framework, fostering a more effective, human-centered medical environment. During this time, she also developed a keen interest in personalized medicine, stem cell technology, and cancer research.
Together with her husband, Mrs. Ronat-Mantoux’s longstanding philanthropic endeavors focus on science, medicine, and culture in Israel and France. The couple established a cancer outpatient clinic at the Sourasky Medical Center, a chest intensive care unit, the Hemato-Oncological Center, the Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and the Interventional Electrophysiological Unit.
In addition to her philanthropic efforts in healthcare, Mrs. Ronat-Mantoux is also a member of the Board of The Israeli Opera, supporting the advancement of culture and the arts.
At the Weizmann Institute of Science, Ilana and Pascal Mantoux’s impact is far-reaching, spanning multiple major research initiatives. Their support enables pioneering research that is propelling breakthroughs across various fields, including bioinformatics, stem cells, and Artificial Intelligence. Their vision also helped forge a vital bridge between Weizmann Institute scientists and clinical experts at the Sheba Medical Center, translating fundamental discoveries into medical applications and facilitating international scientific collaborations.
In recognition of her visionary leadership and deep engagement, Ilana Ronat-Mantoux was elected as a Life Member of the Institute’s International Board in 2022. Ilana and Pascal remain steadfast supporters of the Institute through the Israel Friends Association and continue to shape the future of science and health on a national level.