Meri Alumni Network Launch & Reunion Recap

A Return, A Rekindling, A Rising

Photo Credit: Tsinat Studio

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Meri spirit returned, bold, beautiful, and louder than ever, with the Meri Alumni Network Launch and Reunion. Held from 1:30 PM to 5:40 PM at Sapphire Hotel, the event was more than a gathering. It was a call to action. A celebration of impact. A moment of reflection and recommitment. And a collective step forward.

The day began with a warm welcome to Meri alumni, mentors, trainers, and those who have stood by the program from day one, as well as new supporters eager to see what makes Meri so unforgettable. The room pulsed with a mix of nostalgia, hope, and excitement.

As participants checked in and mingled, U-Report, our generous venue sponsor and a digital platform by UNICEF amplifying youth voices, offered alumni the opportunity to register and join a global movement that reflects Meri’s values of civic participation and leadership.

From the start, this was no ordinary reunion. It was a homecoming. A reminder that this space belongs to every woman who ever dared to become more than what society expected and to every person who believes in her.

As opening remarks filled the room, so did the memories. The Meri journey is one few forget: the day we walked into the training hall, the anticipation, the nerves, the feeling of being chosen, not just for a program, but for something greater.

We remembered the challenge, the reflection, the rigorous growth. We recalled the mentors, women of wisdom who didn’t just teach but walked beside us. And above all, we remembered how Meri changed us. It made leadership real. Tangible. Possible.

To capture all that, a short video took us back through the laughter, tears, and triumphs, offering those unfamiliar with Meri a glimpse into the depth and beauty of the journey. 

Meri was never just a program. It was a powerful platform daring to believe in the leadership potential of young women. Launched in 2019 by Earuyan Solutions and later implemented by AWiB in 2022, Meri has, over the past five years, graduated over 300 final-year female university students across Ethiopia. 

More than just graduates, the young women are dynamic actors in the workforce, having earned positions in some of the country’s most influential organizations including AWiB, Huawei, Habesha Breweries, Heineken, First Consult, Chapa, Nokia, and Flipper International School. The program was unfortunately discontinued due to the lack of adequate funding. 

The Meri journey is built on transformation. Participants walk through twelve intensive weeks of training that push them to discover their values, find their voice, build confidence, and develop the real-world skills that fuel career and life readiness. From self-discovery and emotional intelligence to personal branding, communication, and critical thinking, Meri isn’t just preparing young women for the world, it’s preparing the world for powerful young women.

Then came the voices that reminded us why we gathered.

Siham Ayele, AWiB’s 2023 Board Member and Director of Operations at Africa Jobs Network, opened the day with clarity and conviction, calling us to invest in systems that unlock the potential of young people at scale.

Hiwot Gebeyehu, Social Policy Officer (Youth and Child Rights) | PMU/Addis Ababa delivered opening remarks representing U Report.

Following her was Samrawit Moges, CEO of Travel Ethiopia, whose keynote grounded us in values-driven leadership. With her legacy of empowering women and championing sustainable tourism, Samrawit modeled what it means to lead with intention, resilience, and care for community. Her words stirred something deep: the realization that Meri is not just an opportunity. It is a responsibility.

The most powerful testimonials come not from data but from lived experience, and Miheret Ayele, a fourth cohort alumna, embodied exactly that. As a public health professional and advocate for climate education, Miheret shared a journey of growth shaped by self-discovery and purpose.

Her vulnerability, clarity, and courage lit the room. It was more than a speech, it was a reflection of what happens when young women are given space to lead.

After a moment to stretch and connect, participants explored the fundraising booth, a reminder that Meri is sustained by community. Support wasn’t limited to monetary giving; it extended to time, talent, and networks. It was clear: Meri lives because we keep choosing to invest in each other.

The afternoon continued with a dynamic panel discussion featuring three Meri alumni now thriving in their fields: Milki Dejene, Training Lead at R&D, a passionate youth development and HR professional. Angatu Eshetu, Tax Associate at Deloitte and a sustainability advocate. Solome Tadele, Marketing and Communication Officer at 0101 Tech, blending PR, media, and health.

Moderated by the thoughtful and seasoned Yodit Gidey, the conversation was rich with personal stories and practical insight. They spoke of transformation, not just in careers, but in mindset. They described Meri as a mother. A mirror. A launchpad.

Together, they reminded us that true preparation doesn’t wait for opportunity, it builds it.

As the program neared its end, the most important moment arrived: the fundraising appeal. But this wasn’t just about asking, it was about standing together. About saying yes to the next Meri cohort. Yes to change. Yes to possibility.

Led by the vibrant Yodit Gidey, the room was invited into generosity through a live auction, featuring powerful artwork, physiotherapy session packages, and more. Alumni from various cohorts pledged their expertise, resources, and voices to keep the Meri movement alive.

Every raised hand, every contribution, was a seed planted in the future of leadership.

The event closed with wisdom from Mesfin Asfaw, Managing Partner at Paradigm Consultancy and a guiding voice for many Meri women. Known for his work in emotional intelligence, Mesfin left us with a call to lead not only with skill, but with heart.

As guests mingled, took photos, and exchanged numbers, it was clear this wasn’t an end. It was a beginning. From reconnecting with old friends to welcoming new supporters, the Meri Alumni Network Launch and Reunion reminded us of one thing: Meri is not just a program. It’s a community, a movement of young women equipped to lead with power, purpose, and possibility.

We stepped forward with full hearts, grateful for what we’ve received, ready to give back. And committed to making sure that every young woman who needs Meri finds it waiting for her: bold, alive, and unstoppable.

Written by Niyat Alem, 

Clinical Pharmacist and Meri’s 3rd Cohort Graduate

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