Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Genaye Eshetu grew up as the youngest of five children in a home that deeply valued education. Raised by educators, Genaye’s childhood was filled with support and a strong emphasis on academics. Even though her father encouraged her to pursue the natural sciences, she followed her own path  choosing the social sciences. She majored in Language and Literature from Hawassa University. Genay also earned a master’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Addis Ababa University, an academic path that would become the foundation of her lifelong calling in storytelling.

As a student, Genaye immersed herself in creative expression. She led art clubs, organized exhibitions, and nurtured her love for art. At the time, she thought of art as a hobby and a way to build community, never imagining that visual storytelling, particularly photography, would one day define her career. Her professional journey began as a communications expert, where her role centered around writing stories while others handled photography. The turning point came when she attended a three-month training in Thailand. There, for the first time, she held a professional camera and discovered the immense power of visual storytelling. What started as curiosity quickly became passion. Upon returning to Ethiopia, she not only wrote stories but began capturing them through her own lens, blending writing and photography into a single practice.

Today, Genaye works as a humanitarian photographer, storyteller, and communication specialist. Her passion lies in documenting real human experiences, particularly in rural communities where voices often go unheard. While she contributes to Getty Images and collaborates with global organizations, she finds her deepest fulfillment in grassroots storytelling, where her work can directly influence lives. For her, a camera is more than a tool for capturing moments, it is a key that unlocks untold stories. From busy cities to remote villages, she reveals the quiet power and profound humanity that often go unnoticed, showing that a single story told with empathy and truth can change not only perceptions but lives.

One of the most transformative experiences of her career came in Korem, where she documented HIV-positive women volunteers working to encourage mothers to give birth in health centers. By integrating traditional practices into the process, these women built trust within the community. The results were extraordinary. That year, no child was born with HIV. Through her storytelling, Genaye helped bring recognition to these women, who went on to receive an international award alongside doctors. She also organized an exhibition to raise funds on their behalf. For her, this experience was a profound confirmation of the impact storytelling can create. “That moment showed me that telling people’s stories goes a long way. There are so many untold stories that are changing lives,” she reflects.

Her company, Betzalel Communication PLC, reflects both her professional expertise and her personal values. Through Betzalel, she leads a small team and collaborates with freelancers to offer communications, photography, and storytelling services. True to her principles, she practices servant leadership. Teaching, supporting, and creating opportunities for others. For Genaye, Betzalel is not just a business but an extension of her belief in legacy. By equipping others with tools, skills, and opportunities, she ensures that stories are not only told but also preserved, which has published a book “ተልእኮ (ቀደምት የኢትዮጵያ ና የኤርትራ ሚስዮናውያን የታሪክ ውልብታ)”. What began as an exhibition with captions gradually expanded into a full collection of stories about Ethiopian and Eritrean missionaries. Balancing the project alongside her professional and personal responsibilities slowed progress on the book, but with persistence and the encouragement of close friends, ተልእኮ came to fruition. 

The book, visually rich and engaging, is designed to be accessible even to those who do not consider themselves avid readers. For Genaye, it is more than a publication; it is a legacy project, a way of preserving voices and experiences that might otherwise fade into silence.

Her leadership extends far beyond her company. Over the years, Genaye has worked with organizations large and small, collaborating to design storytelling strategies that elevate community voices. What makes her unique is not only her technical mastery of the camera but also her ability to approach stories with humility and respect. She believes building trust with those she documents is most important to capture genuine and natural shots. It is this approach that has earned her recognition in the international development sector, but more importantly, it has built authentic connections with the communities she documents.

Though her professional commitments often leave little time for volunteering, service remains central to her life. In the past, she spent time in orphanages, sharing love and attention with children and the elderly. Today, she considers her storytelling a form of service, amplifying voices, raising awareness, and helping bring resources to communities that might otherwise remain invisible. She still hopes to return to more direct volunteer work in the future, but for now, she embraces the fact that her stories are making a difference.

Gratitude is another constant in her life. She expresses deep thankfulness for her family, her health, her work, and even the smallest blessings, such as waking up each morning. She cherishes her siblings, finds joy in nature, and nourishes her soul through hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends. These practices provide her with refreshment and balance amidst the demands of her work.

When asked about AWiB, her response is both simple and heartfelt: “What AWiB does– elevating women—  is so important, and it would be great if we had more communities like AWiB. I appreciate that there is space for women to speak freely, share their thoughts, learn, and network.”

AWiB thanks Genaye for her dedication to storytelling and for using her work to amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard, showing the profound impact stories can have in creating understanding and change.

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