Emebet Melese (PhD), the newly appointed President of the Ethiopian Development Bank was born the sixth child in a family of seven in Hosana, 230 km south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As a young girl she had a quiet demeanor, mostly focusing on her school work and going to church. At the age of seventeen, she passed the high school national exam as a top scorer which was a rare feat at the time. Her elder sisters are a source of inspiration for Emebet guiding her in choosing her field of study. Emebet then earned her degree in Accounting from Addis Ababa University.

Following her graduation, Emebet enrolled in the management training program at CBE, undergoing a year of on-the-job training across various branches and the head office. Progressing swiftly, she advanced from a Junior Officer to a Loan Officer within two years. Emebet then expanded her role to become a Credit Appraisal Expert before transitioning to the Risk department.

As a mother of three sons, Emebet successfully managed both motherhood and career as she kept growing through corporate ranks. Meanwhile she also pursued a PhD in Leadership in Business. Her doctoral research concentrated on exploring the impact of organizational climate and market orientation on innovation within the banking sector. Subsequently, Emebet assumed diverse leadership positions, progressing from VP of Credit Appraisal to VP of Corporate Quality Assurance and finally to VP of the CBE Reform and Transformation Project Office.

In her role as the VP of Strategic Planning and Transformation at CBE, Emebet led the design and implementation of the bank’s reform and transformation in a four year journey. Her efforts have significantly reshaped and modernized the bank’s operational framework, reflecting its current operational standards. Under her umbrella, the bank has achieved several milestones in digital transformation, enhanced customer service, increased profitability, brand enhancement, and branch optimization,

Emebet was appointed as the CEO of NiB Bank in May 2024 at a time where the bank was facing multiple challenges. There Emebet made significant contributions in reinstating trust in the bank and rebuilding relationships with stakeholders in a short time.

On a community level, she actively engaged in various COVID-related initiatives, such as distributing food and clothing, blood donations, and other supportive activities. Collaborating with different NGOs, she has championed endeavors aimed at aiding the vulnerable within the community. Additionally, Emebet has participated in efforts supporting retired distinguished artists locally.

At her current position in the Ethiopian Development Bank, Emebet tackles new challenges revolving around strategic planning and resolving the bank’s persistent obstacles. In her new capacity, her days are packed with a diverse array of tasks, ranging from formal meetings to one-on-one sessions with employees, and managing a substantial amount of paperwork.

Emebet reflects on her early career, where she primarily concentrated on individual projects. In her current leadership positions, she embraces the chance to view the broader landscape, coordinate diverse experts, and bear the weight of consequential decision-making.

Emebet finds the most gratifying aspect of her work in witnessing individuals with significant challenges enter her office and depart with solutions, likening this experience to being someone’s source of remedy. On a personal level, she has coordinated numerous charitable initiatives through the church. Despite her demanding schedule, Emebet finds solace and tranquility by attending church. She cherishes moments spent with her teenage sons during her time at home.

Emebet advocates for effective time management for the youth, emphasizing the importance of respecting elders, nurturing a strong faith, and fostering a love for their country as sources of purpose in minor successes. These values, she believes, instill in young individuals the drive to contribute meaningfully and give back to their communities.

Emebet acknowledges that women face numerous challenges, stressing the importance for young women to cultivate a proactive mindset, regulate their emotions, and approach obstacles with innovative strategies. Drawing inspiration from exemplary leaders, she asserts that true leadership commences with self-management, emotional regulation, and the cultivation of self-discipline. Emebet underscores that a genuine leader is someone who ignites the latent potential within others.

Across the various leadership roles where Emebet has served, she has championed her team members and nurtured emerging leaders from within. Emebet underlines that ego has no room in leadership, as true leadership thrives through collaboration and empowerment of others. To her, leadership entails inspiring and providing a pathway for team members to access diverse opportunities. She firmly believes that leaders bear the responsibility of fostering a positive atmosphere, instilling confidence, and nurturing trust among those who follow them. 

Emebet stresses that success is rooted in the resilience to navigate through adversities. She counsels aspiring women not to wait for external validation but to be the architects of their own success. Emphasizing the transformation of challenges into opportunities through faith, she encourages individuals to keep progressing, evolving, and enriching themselves through continuous learning. Ultimately, Emebet advocates for everyone to strive towards leaving a positive imprint through their daily endeavors.

Emebet appreciates the work AWiB is doing in nurturing and empowering young female leaders. Being one of the few women in leadership positions in the Banking industry, she recognizes the critical importance of elevating more women into leadership positions. Emebet extends her best wishes for the continued success and momentum of AWiB in unlocking the full potential of women in both personal and professional domains.

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