Cofounder | United States

Dr. Herschel Kessler cofounded Heya with the belief that empowered teams are the foundation of every successful organization—a belief that has been instrumental in guiding the company's vision, strategy, and policies from day one. 

Dr. Kessler draws on his extensive medical background to bring a thoughtful, human-centered perspective to leadership and innovation. As a leader, he encourages those around him to think bigger, push boundaries, and create meaningful impact.

Outside of work, he’s an avid runner and proud father of a large, lively family that keeps his life feeling charged with energy and purpose.

Cofounder and Managing Partner | South Africa

Yehuda Lazarus is an entrepreneur driven by a deep commitment to job creation and economic empowerment in South Africa. Over the past thirteen years, he has dedicated himself to building sustainable income opportunities in a country facing ongoing economic challenges. This journey led him to launch a BPO company, which later merged with Heya. 

At Heya, Yehuda continues to build stable employment, growth potential, and long-term pathways for economic empowerment.

Yehuda’s mission remains constant: strengthening families and communities by helping people build meaningful, reliable careers.

Cofounder and Managing Partner | Panama

Born in Argentina and raised in Miami, Andres “Andy” Leimdorfer has always been drawn to the crossroads of people, business, and innovation. His career—ranging from startups to corporate finance—has given him a passion for building ventures that are both strategic and meaningful.

In his role as Managing Partner at Heya, Andy combines his passions for technology, culture, and people to help organizations grow with intention and heart.

A faith-driven husband and father, Andy believes that success is built on integrity, curiosity, and connection. He loves working on new initiatives and relationships, and finds inspiration in understanding what motivates people, both in business and in life.

Director of Operations and Marketing | United States

Marketing works best when operations run like clockwork–and that’s where Margalit Panigel comes in. Margalit oversees operations and marketing, ensuring that Heya’s strategies deliver results. Margalit’s areas of expertise are problem-solving, optimizing workflows, and connecting the dots across the organization to improve client experience and support the Heya team’s success.

When she’s not at work, Margalit is often planning out-of-the-box activities for her kids, reading a good book, or finding ways to make life a little more interesting.

Client Success Manager | United States 

As Heya’s client success manager, Saralaya Rockford is an expert at blending structure with creative thinking. She’s passionate about building genuine, thoughtful connections and helping people feel heard and supported. Known for her calm, organized style, Saralaya prioritizes flexibility, communication, and building environments where people can thrive.

Saralaya is a mom of two who loves reading, baking, and trying her hand at different hobbies—the more creative, the better.