Alison Berk Katzeff was born and bred in Cape Town, South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science in marketing, a postgraduate diploma in human resource management and an executive MBA from the University of Cape Town. From 1977 to 1992, she was director of the family business, the Drop Inn Group of Liquor Supermarkets, and since 1992 has served as director of Berk Property Holdings.
Alison learned from her parents, the late Sam and Joyce Berk, that philanthropy is a responsibility. Her community involvement began when her daughter started the Herzlia School; she became a member of the United Herzlia Schools Governing Body, serving as chairperson from 2006 to 2008. She is currently a trustee of the United Herzlia Schools and a member of its Foundation Advisory Board; a trustee and treasurer of the Yeshiva of Cape Town; a member of the Executive Committee of the Claremont Wynberg Hebrew Congregation; and a member of the Cape Town Jewish Community Priorities Board, and since 2014, has served as Chairperson of the United Jewish Campaign.
Alison and her husband, Howard, are partners in an Israeli Start Up – KCA Boutique Investments. They have two children, Yael and Oren. Yael made aliyah in 2008; she and her husband, Rael Olwyn, have a baby daughter. Having a sabra granddaughter gives Alison and Howard an added reason to visit Israel regularly.
