Sosena has nearly two decades of experience supporting communities and currently serving as Country Director for Hope for Korah, a role she find deeply fulfilling. Born in Ethiopia and raised amidst economic hardship, she developed a deep understanding of the struggles faced by many in their home country.
Sosena’s career has been marked by a dedication to creating and implementing effective empowerment strategies. Her work has provided invaluable insights into tackling complex issues surrounding urban poverty. This personal experience, coupled with a strong academic foundation in Sociology and Social Anthropology at BA level, Adult Education and Lifelong Learning Development, informs her passionate commitment to social justice and community encouragement.
Sosena is married with four children. Her ultimate aspiration is to contribute significantly to poverty alleviation.
The Leader in Me
I was not born into easy circumstances, but I was born with a fire in my belly. Since I was a little girl, a quiet determination took root in my heart. I dreamed of being a person who would change the narrative—not just for myself, but to lift my family and my community above the situation in which we grew up. I viewed education as my bridge, working tirelessly to reach university, believing that if I could just equip myself with the right knowledge and skills, I could fix things.
For years, my vision was clear but narrow. I saw myself strictly as a developmental practitioner—a “doer.” The idea of leadership felt foreign, even repellent. I equated leadership with control and power, a desire to dominate that was completely alien to how I was wired. I wanted to serve, not rule.
But life has a way of revealing us to ourselves through the eyes of others. People observing my work saw a potential I had missed. When I was offered the position of Director for a newly registered INGO, my initial reaction was hesitation. Was I ready? Did I know enough? Despite the doubts, I accepted it, viewing it not as a promotion to power, but as a personal challenge to grow.
In less than a year, the fear subsided, replaced by a revelation: I had a dormant gift for leadership. I realized that leadership wasn’t about control; it was about influence. I began to lead my colleagues not with authority, but with humility, genuine love, and deep respect for their humanity and integrity. I loved the work, but after five years of serving, I realized I had hit a ceiling. I was too consumed by the work within my small circle. I was isolated, lacking a support network of peers and missing specific skills to maximize my efficiency.
That is when I discovered Haset. It was divine timing and a massive blessing for both me and my team.
After a year in the Haset Women Leadership Program, I have emerged as a completely different woman. Haset gave me what I didn’t know I was missing: a sisterhood. I now possess a robust network of sisters with similar passions across various sectors. The program allowed me to refine my values and deepen my self-awareness, leading to more informed, confident decision-making.
I had the privilege of learning from accomplished Ethiopian women leaders, seeing my own context reflected in their success. Haset didn’t just teach me management; it refined my entire philosophy of leadership and equipped me with the communication skills to articulate it.
I am no longer keeping this growth to myself. I have already started pouring what I’ve learned into the next generation, helping others walk this path of becoming authentic leaders. The little girl who wanted to do better is now a woman empowering others to do the same.