Nardos Tewodros is a development professional committed to driving inclusive social impact in Ethiopia. She serves as Ecosystem Coordinator at Tiko, supporting initiatives that empower adolescent girls and young women to access youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and overcome social, financial, and logistical barriers. Previously, she worked with children with special needs and their mothers, championing inclusive, community-based programmes that strengthened wellbeing, participation, and empowerment—an experience that shaped her dedication to vulnerable and under-represented groups.
She holds a Master’s in Project Planning and Management and a BA in Economics. Guided by growth and purpose, Nardos strives to become a transformational leader and envisions an inclusive Ethiopia where young women, girls, and children with special needs are fully supported, valued, and able to thrive.
The Leader in Me
Leadership, for me, did not begin with a title or a job description. It began at home, long before I realized it. As a firstborn daughter, I naturally stepped into responsibility—guiding my siblings, supporting my parents, and making decisions for the family. I didn’t call it leadership then; I simply called it life. But looking back, that was the foundation. That was where the leader in me quietly began to take shape.
My academic journey further shaped me. I earned a first degree in Economics and a master’s in Project Planning and Management, which gave me tools to translate ideas into meaningful impact. Professionally, I have had the privilege of serving as a Project Manager, Program Manager, and Coordinator for both local and international NGOs, as well as working with international research and consulting firms. These experiences allowed me to lead diverse teams, manage complex projects, and work directly with communities—especially empowering girls, young women, and supporting children with special needs and their families.
Yet, despite these accomplishments, I realized that true leadership is not just about roles or responsibilities. I was leading externally, but I hadn’t fully discovered the leader within. I had skills, but I didn’t always trust them. I had experience, but I lacked full clarity and confidence in my own voice.
The Haset Women Leadership Program arrived at the perfect time, helping me reconnect with myself and discover the authentic leader I had been growing into all along. Haset taught me that leadership is a journey, not a destination. It is shaped by self-awareness, values, courage, and the willingness to grow continuously. It helped me integrate leadership into every area of life—at work, at home, with friends, and in the community.
Today, the leader in me is defined not by titles, but by how I show up. I lead my family with compassion, support my family with patience, guide my friends with empathy, and empower communities through purposeful action. I lead with authenticity, integrity, and consistency. I lead not because I have to, but because it is who I am. Leadership has become my lifestyle.
The leader in me was always there; Haset helped me see her clearly, honor her, and step fully into her strength. And in doing so, I have learned that leadership is not perfect, it is human. It is not loud, it is intentional. And it is a responsibility and a privilege I carry every single day.