Helen grew up in the village of Haromaya in eastern Ethiopia, the fourth child among five siblings. While the community of the area is known for its laid-back lifestyle, her mother was a firm believer in the power of education and ran a strict household, ensuring that the education of her children was a priority.

Helen’s mother worked at Haromaya University, providing her children the opportunity of attending a school created for the staff’s families. For Helen, playtime was limited to school hours, as her time at home was dedicated to studying and chores. Each sibling had specific responsibilities, and every Sunday evening, their mother gathered them to reflect on their week—an insightful tradition that Helen would carry with her for life.

One afternoon when Helen was in the 7th grade, her life took an unexpected turn. While rushing to catch the school bus that takes her home, she fell down a hill in a way that would change everything. Doctors revealed the shocking truth—her spinal cord and hind brain were severely injured, and slowly, her eyesight began to fade. The life she had known was slipping away, but what came next was something she never could have imagined.

Helen and her father traveled to Italy seeking better medical care. In the short time she spent in the country she immersed herself in the language. She quickly captured the Italian language, making it the one of the seven languages she speaks today. Within just three months, she was already translating for her doctor and eventually teaching her father. After undergoing surgery, Helen began regaining her eyesight within fifteen days. The doctors recommended physiotherapy, and to this day, she continues to recover her vision, defying all odds.

Upon returning home, Helen faced her challenges with unwavering determination. Her mother’s belief in the power of education echoed in her mind, fueling her resolve not to let her dreams slip away. Having already started Braille lessons in Italy, she and her family tirelessly searched for ways to continue her education. Their efforts led them to a school for the blind in Shashemene, where Helen completed a two-year course in just five months and five days. Her commitment, focus, and the support of her family turned what seemed impossible into a triumph.

Back in Haromaya, through her mother’s efforts and guidance, Helen rejoined her previous school though they were initially hesitant. In her first year, she excelled, ranking first in her class, seventh from all the 7th grade classes, and seventh from the entire school. From then on, she became a top-ranking student. When it came time to join university, Helen chose Addis Ababa University’s Law School, driven by one clear mission: “I saw injustice everywhere I turned, and I wanted justice.”

Helen has always seen problems as opportunities. In her second year of university, she got involved in club activities, quickly becoming a leader in four and an active member in several others. One of her proudest achievements in this arena was reestablishing the Girls Club which had been inactive for years. She organized it into departments and launched a series of magazines, giving women a powerful platform to share their voices.

Helen’s graduation marked the beginning of even greater achievements. With a scholarship in hand, she pursued her master’s in Social Work. Among her many accomplishments at the university, one stood out—she was part of a committee that secured a seat in the senate for people with disabilities, a triumph that reflected her unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive society.

After graduation, Helen practiced law across various legal sectors. She later joined a civil society organization named Live Addis as a program manager, where she discovered her passion for civil society work. It was there she realized the “Why” behind her pursuing her masters in Social Work—to focus on prevention alongside serving justice. As Helen puts it, “We ought to live listening to the whispers inside our hearts.”

Seven years ago, Helen joined New Life Teen Challenge Development and Relief Program (NLTCDRP), an organization dedicated to supporting street children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Today, she is the Executive Director. Soon after she joined the team, her exceptional performance, foresight, dedication, and results-driven approach was praised by founder & executive director Selamawit Bulcha. When asked who should succeed her, Selamawit named Helen, a suggestion that initially took Helen by surprise. “I cannot do it” she first thought, but after consulting with her husband, she realized it was her own self-doubt holding her back. The next morning, she embraced the challenge, stepping into a role she once thought impossible.

When Helen took over the organization, it had only one finance person and minimal assets. Through seven years of dedicated leadership, she grew the team to 17 full-time employees and expanded its resources. Helen credits her success to sharing the founders’ vision and is committed to leaving the organization in a stronger position. The founders continue to support her from abroad.

Helen is grateful for being selected to Haset Leadership program, a program initiated by the Packard Foundation, developed by Emerge Plc, and implemented by AWiB. The program, focused on bridging the gender gap in CSO leadership through networking, sisterhood, and visibility. Helen describes the experience as both eye-opening and transformative. It encouraged her to dive deeper in her self-reflection practice and find clarity in her purpose.

Helen attributes her success to the support of those around her, and she strives to offer the same to others. Leading with a human approach, she holds one-on-one meetings with her predominantly female staff members to understand their challenges, stories, and aspirations. This helps her provide the support they need. Currently focused on her succession plan, Helen is developing her team to operate independently. With a clear vision of creating an inclusive school system, she finds daily inspiration in watching individuals transition from the streets to becoming doctors, teachers, and entrepreneurs who uplift others.

Helen is dedicated to service. She serves as a board member for the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA), which includes over 460 organizations, and the Consortium of Reproductive Health Associations (CORHA), with over 70 member organizations. She also collaborates with the Ethiopian government to ensure health funding reaches the communities in need and serves on the board of the Ethiopian Lawyers for Disabilities Association (ELDA).

Helen balances her leisure time between spiritual growth, her supportive husband, and her seven-year-old daughter. Every weekend, she practices self-reflection to learn from both challenges and successes of the week. She enjoys cooking, reading, and occasionally makes time for self-care, ensuring she nurtures both her mind and well-being.

Helen’s message to the youth is, “You’re not alone in facing challenges; there’s always a solution, lesson to be learnt and an opportunity for growth.” She believes that investing in self-development and staying committed to your values bring valuable returns in life. Helen also emphasizes that self-love and authenticity are key to living a purposeful life.

Helen is deeply grateful for the qualities she possesses, acknowledging that it is through God’s grace she has developed them. She proudly declares, “I am loud, proud, and passionate, and I am here to serve.” Helen is committed to continuing her service to marginalized and vulnerable groups in the community.

For Helen, leadership is about doing what is right, regardless of the circumstances. At its core, leadership involves team building, boldness, and authenticity. A true leader must also be knowledgeable and skilled, guiding others with wisdom and integrity.

Helen expresses deep gratitude to AWiB for its comprehensive approach to leadership, which integrates self-awareness, well-being, and networking. She believes that having more women in leadership is a vital solution for the nation’s future. AWiB thanks Helen for carving out of her valuable time for the interview.