Shari Arison: Businesswoman and Philanthropist, Owner of Arison Group
Shari Arison is a prominent businesswoman, philanthropist, and the owner and controlling shareholder of the Arison Group. Born in New York in 1957 and raised on a kibbutz in Israel, Shari is the daughter of Ted and Mina Arison, who had founded the financial services and investment company that bares their name. She is a self-made billionaire, although she inherited the Arison Group from her father.
Shari’s career began when she joined the family business, Arison Group in 1987. By 1990, she held the position of vice president, and in 1995, she was appointed as chief executive officer. She held that position until 2009 when she appointed her daughter, Gail Arison, to the head of the company.
Shari’s philanthropic activities and commitment takes the form of her Good Deeds initiative and her advocacy for global well-being, an inspiring model for social responsibility, corporate sustainability, and community investment. Through her dedicated efforts to address global issues such as poverty, environmental protection, and animal rights, Shari has made an enormous impact.
A Look at the Arison Group
The Arison Group is a large global business company with a diversified portfolio that includes investments in hospitality, real estate, technology, finance, and sustainability. As of 2019, the Group’s total assets amounted to $7.9 billion, making it one of the largest companies in Israel. The Group’s holdings include the tourism-related companies Isrotel Hotels & Resorts, Kenes Tours and the Berndorf Group, as well as significant investments in mobile and computer technology, including 25 percent of the mobile network-operator Partner Communications.
Shari’s Vision & Commitment to Social Responsibility
In 2009, shortly after she appointed her daughter, Gail Arison, as CEO of Arison Group, Shari founded her Good Deeds Initiative. The mission of the Initiative was to motivate and mobilize people to do good deeds, which soon became a global movement, inspiring people from all over the world to take action towards social betterment and positive change.
In 2011, Shari founded a $200 million global initiative, Birthright Excel, which helps high-achieving Israeli college students develop their potential in business innovation and entrepreneurship. This initiative has already helped over 700 young Israeli business professionals launch their own businesses, with over 80 percent of the companies successfully launched.
Shari also established the Sabanci Foundation, a non-profit organization in partnership with her sister-in-law, Ayse Sabanci, to provide educational grants and scholarships in Turkey. In 2018, she established the Arison Foundation, whose mission is to leverage impactful philanthropic partnerships and investments in order to make a lasting difference in ending poverty and promoting economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Shari’s Dedication to Environmental Responsibility
Shari is also a dedicated environmentalist and an advocate for environmental protection. In 2011, she launchedSodaStream, the eco-friendly home carbonation brand. Through SodaStream, she sought to reduce the amount of plastic bottles used around the world.
Shari is a great supporter of the national and global project known as Saving The Coral Reefs. Through her advocacy and financial backing, the Coral Reefs project has been actively engaged in reviving the ocean off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula by planting coral colonies and police to monitor potential damage.
In 2018, she joined the Plastic Free World Conferences and Expo as a partner and supporter. The expo seeks to reduce the use of plastic and promote environmentally responsible practices.
Her Support for Animal Rights
Shari is a strong advocate for animal rights and the preservation of wildlife. In 2006 she founded 7×7 Animal Rescue, Israel’s first non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving animals from suffering and neglect. In addition to the rescue work, 7×7 works with the community to educate about compassion for animals.
Shari is also a supporter of the Gorilla Conservation project, which promotes conservation, protection and research in the Virunga Mountains of west-central Africa. Through her commitment, the Gorilla Conservation project is actively engaged in conservation efforts through fostering sustainable economic development and promoting co-existence among humans and gorillas.
In 2017, Shari co-chaired the “Planet and People” International Forum in Jerusalem, an event that promoted progressive and sustainable stewardship of the planet and the people who inhabit it.
Shari Arison is an inspirational role model for social responsibility and corporate sustainability. Through her commitment to global well-being and environmental protection, her dedication to philanthropic and animal rights initiatives, and her business acumen as the owner of the Arison Group, Shari has made an invaluable contribution to the global community.