NeuroSense featuring the Head of HR

“What excites me most about working for NeuroSense is the personal connection I have to the mission, and the opportunity to be part of a growing company” – Keren Pushett, Head of HR

My connection to ALS is deeply personal. When I was eight years old, my father was diagnosed with ALS. Watching him battle the disease was incredibly difficult, and he passed away when I was eleven. At the time, ALS wasn’t as widely known as it is now. There were fewer resources and less awareness about the disease. This experience left a lasting impact on me, and for a long time I avoided anything related to ALS. It was a painful chapter in my life that I wasn’t ready to revisit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I, like many others, found myself at a crossroads. The restaurant I managed in Jerusalem had to close, and it gave me a moment to reflect on what I truly wanted to do with my life. I realized that the most fulfilling job I had ever had was working with autistic children, where I felt like I was making a difference.

My sister knew about my background and my desire to find meaningful work. My journey to NeuroSense is closely tied to her. She started working at NeuroSense before I did, and was pivotal in my joining the company. When Alon, our CEO, started looking for an office manager, she recommended me. I didn’t know much about NeuroSense or its work with ALS at the time, but I trusted my sister’s judgment and decided to give it a try.

Initially, it was challenging to be part of a company that focused on a disease that had such a personal and painful history for me. However, as I became more involved and saw the dedication and passion of everyone at NeuroSense, I found a new sense of purpose. Instead of avoiding the medical side of my history, I’m now embracing it. Being part of a team that’s working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of people living with ALS has been incredibly rewarding. It feels like I’ve come full circle, and now, instead of running away from my past, I’m using my experiences to contribute to something truly meaningful.

My outlook isn’t the only thing that changed during my time at NeuroSense, but my role too. As the company grew, the need for an HR department became evident. I enjoyed working in the background and bridging connections, and I was eager to take on this new challenge. Alon promoted me to Head of HR, and together with the help of a consultant, we began to build our HR infrastructure from scratch.

Creating the HR department was no small feat. While it took time for us collectively to adjust to having a new HR department in the company, the new role has involved a lot of personal learning, as well. I have since learned to focus on the employees’ desires as well as the company’s needs more equally to ensure that everyone gets what they need. I needed to learn to not only be the HR of the employees, but the HR of the company.

Our company is driven by passionate individuals committed to advancing therapy and making a real difference in the world. When bringing new people on board, I seek those who see NeuroSense’s mission not just as a job, but as a fundamental part of who they are. It’s this deep, shared commitment to our goal of advancing therapy that defines our team and fuels our progress.

As a small biotech company still in a growing stage, employees’ roles are subject to change. As we grow as a company, it is necessary to adjust and redefine roles, as mine did. This poses a significant challenge, especially as new employees take on tasks that others might already be dealing with, one way or another. Managing these changes and ensuring a smooth transition has been a crucial part of my responsibilities. It helps that we ultimately all want to make a difference, and are eager to work together through any challenges that come our way as a team to achieve our common goal. As HR, I’m here to guide the employees through challenges like these at the workplace, but also personal ones.

I provide support during crises, big or small. When October 7th happened, I took immediate steps to ensure that our team felt supported and cared for. I led company-wide meetings to openly discuss the crisis, reached out individually to team members daily, and sent care packages to let everyone know they were seen and valued. It was equally important to me to explore how we, as a company, could extend our support externally, such as aiding organizations impacted by the situation. This approach was rooted in empathy and a commitment to fostering a strong, compassionate community within and beyond our company.

The most rewarding aspect of being part of NeuroSense from the beginning has been witnessing the company’s growth. We’ve made significant progress, particularly with our therapy, PrimeC, which was only being tested in animals when I joined, but is now being tested in people and showing positive results. Additionally, seeing our team expand, and knowing that I played a role in selecting the dedicated and special individuals who work here, brings me a great sense of pride. Before, we were all sitting in one small office with a table and a lack of infrastructure, and I feel accomplished to be sitting here in this office complex, with so many more amazing people. We came to this office with only five people, and now, with eighteen of us, it’s time to find an even bigger office. What excites me most about working for NeuroSense is the personal connection I have to the mission, and the opportunity to be part of a growing company. It’s thrilling to look back at our humble beginnings and envision our future potential. Knowing that our work has already made a difference and will continue to do so on a larger scale is incredibly fulfilling and motivating.

My biggest tip is to focus on what you can change, not to waste energy on things beyond your control, and always strive to be the best version of yourself.