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Haset Summit

December 11, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Haset Summit

Haset Summit is a one-day event dedicated to amplifying the visibility, celebrating the achievements, and highlighting the transformative journeys of women leaders. The second cohort Haset women leaders have completed a rigorous one-year program, Haset Women Leadership, and the summit marks their graduation which will take place at Haile Grand on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Haset is a one-year project developed for Ethiopian women leaders in CSO. Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles within CSOs, holding just 29% of top positions. The Haset Leadership Program funded by the Packard Foundation, developed by Emerge PLC, and implemented by Association of Women in Boldness (AWiB), was created to address this gap by equipping a cohort of visionary women with the tools, networks, and confidence to lead meaningful change.

The Haset Summit is designed to:

  • Spotlight the diverse talents and contributions of Haset women leaders.
  • Commemorate their significant achievements across various fields.
  • Showcase their individual growth and evolution throughout the Haset program.

The program includes several engaging sessions, such as a panel discussion and dialogue. The impact of future women leaders of Ethiopia will also be highlighted through an interactive dialogue and showcasing their volunteer projects during an exhibition. See the event’s program below.

Keynote Speaker

H.E. Roman Tesfaye Abneh, Chairperson, Hailemariam & Roman Foundation | Former First Lady of Ethiopia

Roman Tesfaye Abneh is a development advocate and former First Lady of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2012–2018). She holds a master’s degree in Economics and Leadership. She has served in senior academic and government roles, including as an Economics Lecturer at Arba Minch University, a senior official within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, and as a two-term member of the South Ethiopia Regional State Parliament.

During her tenure as First Lady, she established the Office of the First Lady for the first time in Ethiopia. Through her work, Roman championed women’s economic empowerment, youth education, nutrition, and women’s health. In 2015, she co-initiated the Smiling Children Project, which now provides daily meals to over 22,000 students in 42 public schools in Addis Ababa while creating income opportunities for 1,200 mothers.

She currently serves as Chairperson of the Hailemariam and Roman Foundation, leading national efforts focused on maternal and child health, community nutrition, climate resilience, ecotourism, and economic advancement for women and youth.

Closing Remarks

Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Director, Peace Fund Secreteriat at
African Union Commission

Mrs. Dagmawit Moges Bekele is the Director of the Peace Fund Secretariat at the African Union, a position she has held since March 2023. In this role, she provides strategic, financial, and operational oversight of the AU Peace Fund—one of the AU’s key instruments for advancing sustainable peace and security across the continent. She brings deep expertise in fund management, resource mobilization, and financial governance, ensuring the Fund’s sustainability, accountability, and alignment with Africa-led priorities. 

Prior to her current role, Mrs. Moges served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics from October 2018 to January 2023. During her tenure, she led transformative reforms in the transport and logistics sectors, advancing infrastructure modernization, regional integration, and sustainable mobility.

With 20+ years of public service, Mrs. Moges has held numerous leadership roles in government. She served as Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa and Cabinet Member of the Addis Ababa City Government, where she also led the Communication Affairs Bureau and chaired the Addis Ababa Mass Media Agency. Earlier in her career, she was Deputy Head of the Capacity Building Bureau, Deputy Head of the Trade and Industry Bureau, and Head of the Micro and Small Enterprises Development Bureau. She began her public service journey as the General Manager of Kolfe Keranyo Sub-City in the Addis Ababa City Government. Mrs. Moges holds a BA in Public Administration and Development Management and an MA in Public Management and Policy from Addis Ababa University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Management at the University of South Africa. 

In addition to her governmental roles, Mrs. Moges has served on numerous national and international boards. She is currently a Board Member of Inkomoko Ethiopia, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), and Addis Ababa University. Her previous board affiliations include Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopian Petroleum Enterprise, the National Investment Board, and the National Public-Private Partnership Board. She has chaired several key institutions including the Ethiopian Roads Authority, Woldiya University, the Ethiopian Postal Service Enterprise, and the Addis Ababa Mass Media Agency. 

Her contributions have been widely recognized across Africa and globally. Mrs. Moges was named to the Power List of the 50 Women of African Descent in Diplomacy 2024 by Afri Diplomat and listed among the Top 100 Most Influential Women in African Supply Chain by the African Women in Supply Chain Association. She was also honored as one of the 21 Heroes of 2021 by the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) for her work in urban mobility and sustainable transport. She is a proud member of the prestigious Amujae Leaders program of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. 

Her accolades include being named among the Top 100 Career Women in Africa by 9to5chick, one of the 100 Most Reputable Africans in 2023, a Top Woman in Mobility in Africa by Smarter Mobility Africa, and recipient of the Change Maker’s Leadership Award by Aviators Africa. Mrs. Dagmawit Moges Bekele is a passionate advocate for women’s leadership and inclusive development across Africa. With over two decades of public service, she continues to drive impactful change through bold leadership, strategic reform, and a steadfast commitment to Africa’s progress.

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