On the evening of April 10th, the Hilton buzzed with exciting energy as AWiB marked its 15-year journey under the powerful theme, “She Rises”. The atmosphere brimmed with anticipation as long-time AWiBers, Female CEO Breakfast Club (FCBC) members, other leaders, and supporters gathered together to celebrate and attend the panel of the evening “A Seat at The Table: Why It Eludes Us!”. All were taking in the captivating visuals that told the story of AWiB’s growth and impact over the years through videos displayed in the halls. 

The evening was proudly sponsored by FCBC and women owned and women led businesses including ZamZam Bank, Elgel Hotel and Spa, Gesha Village and Coffee Estate and iCog. As the celebration unfolded, attendants took their seats at 6:30 PM, and the spotlight turned to Ethiopis Tadesse, the vibrant MC, who took a moment to share her deeply personal connection to AWiB. Her journey began as a teenager attending AWiB’s Women of Excellence (WOE) Gala Dinner, where, for the first time, she saw Ethiopian women who looked like her being honored for their remarkable contributions to the community. Until then, for her, such women existed only in the pages of books. “That reminded me that it can be me one day, too,” she said, her words echoing the heart of the evening: the power of representation and the rise of women who dare to dream. 

Ethiopis spoke with admiration about AWiB’s consistency, highlighting its programs like Lighthouse—weekend sessions dedicated to personal and professional development—and AWiB Connects @ the Hilton, where meaningful networking thrives. What made these gatherings unforgettable, she shared, were the powerful speakers and facilitators who brought real-life experience and deep expertise to the table, sparking authentic conversations and even encouraging more men to engage in the networking & dialogue. The lessons gathered from these programs, she said, were nothing short of transformative and priceless. 

As this was a special anniversary celebration, the evening called for a tribute—and who better to deliver it than Salahadin Khalifa, a witness to AWiB’s journey since day one. CEO of Kadisco General Hospital, a committed investor, philanthropist, and champion for Ethiopia’s economic growth, Salahadin took the stage to deliver the keynote address with warmth and grace. He began by honoring his wife, Jemila, and extended heartfelt appreciation to the men present, recognizing their support. He set a tone of gratitude and reflection for the night, telling the audience “You are glowing with positivity and purpose”. As a pillar of AWiB, Salahadin’s words carried the weight of history, especially when he praised the Founder and Director Nahu Senay Girma for building something truly extraordinary. “Fifteen years is no small feat,” he said. “We’ve climbed mountains, witnessed real progress, and undergone deep personal transformation. And I know—you’ve felt it too.”

With passion and pride, Salahadin turned to the AWiB community and declared, “You’ve adapted, risen with confidence, and turned challenges into opportunities—now, swim like champions. You made it!” His words beautifully echoed the spirit of the 15th anniversary theme. Salahadin’s  message didn’t stop there; he reminded everyone that AWiB’s journey is a shared responsibility. To sustain its impact and inspire similar associations, he urged the audience to take ownership in helping AWiB not only flourish but multiply.

As Salahadin wrapped up, he painted a vivid picture of Ethiopia in 2050—at the top of the world, with women and men standing side by side at the forefront. “That could be your daughters,” he said. Reflecting on the bittersweet ending of the Women of Excellence celebration in 2023, after a decade of honoring women’s achievements, he added, “Every woman’s success story deserves to be told.” Closing with the theme of the evening, “She Rises,” Salahadin spoke of the importance of lifting each other up and honoring the role of both women and their supportive partners. He ended his speech with gratitude and a heartfelt, “I thank you!”

Ethiopis highlighted AWiB’s efforts to boost male participation before calling onto the stage AWiB’s Board Members, staff, and the woman behind it all—AWiB’s Founder and Director, Nahu Senay Girma. The room erupted in a standing ovation for the team, the driving force behind the organization. Then, Ethiopis welcomed renowned musician Jorga Mesfin, whose mastery of jazz and Ethiopian sounds, alongside fellow musician Fasika Hailu playinghis Kirar, filled the room with an uplifting energy that resonated deeply.

As soon as the music ended, Yoadan Tilahun, CEO of Flawless Events and a leader in the African MICE industry, took the stage as the moderator for the highly anticipated panel, “A Seat at The Table: Why It Eludes Us!”. She introduced the speakers, Rakeb Messele Aberra, Deputy Chief Commissioner of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and Misrak Makonnen, Country Director of Amref Health Africa. These remarkable women didn’t just earn a seat at the table; they have used it to create lasting value and inspire change. 

Rakeb and Misrak shared powerful insights on the journey to leadership and the barriers women face. Rakeb highlighted the slow progress in closing Ethiopia’s gender gap, noting it may take over 134 years to achieve equality. Misrak emphasized that conformity to cultural expectations is a major hurdle for women, stressing the importance of networking, technical skills, and the right environment to succeed. Rakeb, reflecting on her own experience, shared how having persistence and being open to learn have helped her create impact, even in her demanding role. She also stressed the importance of understanding invisible barriers, such as stereotypes and household responsibilities, and how critical support from fathers and spouses can drive women’s growth. 

Both women agreed on the importance of integrity, passion, and knowing when to delegate. They also shared strategies for navigating male-dominated spaces, with the need to get up-to-date skills, especially on networking. “If we aren’t able to sit at the bar for casual transfer of information, we should find other ways, such as coffees and lunches, to pitch our ideas,” added Rakeb. Misrak also added that leadership is about the ability to influence and market oneself. 

The audience raised several thought-provoking questions towards the speakers, about how they uplift other women – including their daughters, and how the discussion of the night is related to the theme of the event “She Rises”. Misrak shared that she encourages her daughters’ curiosity, admitting that while she doesn’t always have the answers, they must know she’s open to learning. At Amref, they have a support group for women, where they regularly meet to share challenges and support one another, enabling them to uplift each other. 

One question directed at Rakeb was “How do you measure your work and advocacy in general?” to which she responded on how she measures her own success – five years ago, women in the organization held mostly junior roles such as cashiers, secretaries, and janitors, with only one director in leadership. Today, there are two commissioners out of four and over 20 women in senior positions, making up 52% of leadership. She also noted the significant gap in female peace negotiators, a field where women are desperately needed. Listening to others brings her satisfaction, knowing her presence provides much-needed support.

The evening ended with AWiB’s 2025 president presenting gifts to all the speakers of the evening and a celebratory cake. FCBC members gathered together to cut the cake, marking AWiB’s 15 years of growth, embodying the theme “She Rises”.

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