Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Milky was the eldest of three sisters. A close companion to the sister who came immediately after her, she was like a second mother to the one who is thirteen years younger. Her father, a navy officer, was an avid reader with love for literature and fluency in six languages. Her mother, a sociable librarian at a Catholic school, shared a warm and steady closeness with Milky.
Milky Mamo: Collaboration in Action Read More »
Jemila Hamid’s leadership story is rooted in responsibility, reflection, and a deep commitment to building systems that work for others. Born and raised in Addis Ababa as the eldest child, she learned early how to observe, listen, and take on responsibility.
Jemila Hamid: Building Systems That Create Opportunity Read More »
Born in Addis Ababa, Teklehaimanot area in 1969, Aster entered the world as the fifth among ten siblings. Surrounded by three brothers who came before her and one right after, she grew up never feeling any different than the boys. They grew up in their grandparents’ home as their parents were committed civil servants. Her grandfather, a disciplined merchant with only a fourth-grade education, insisted on academic excellence and spent every Sunday teaching his grandchildren math. Her grandmother, gentle and deeply empathetic, embodied humility. “What I know about relationships and kindness,” Aster says, “I learned from her.”
Aster Asfaw: Leadership that wears Humility Read More »
For Dr. Hanna, resilience was not a choice, it was a way of life. Born in Wollega, in the small town of Ayira Guliso, she spent her earliest years in the peaceful countryside with her grandparents. At the age of three, she began traveling with her parents as their work took them across Ethiopia, an experience that shaped her adaptability and curiosity from a young age. By seventh grade, she had lived in several towns, learning to adjust to constant change.
Dr. Hanna Yeshinegus: Walking with Purpose Read More »
Rakeb’s passion for human rights grew and led her to pursue an LLM in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa at the University of Pretoria. Her thesis focused on the human rights violations faced by trafficked domestic workers.
Rakeb Messele Aberra – From Daring Leaps to Defining Wins Read More »
Genaye Eshetu Storytelling Through the Camera Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Genaye Eshetu grew up as the youngest of five children in a home that deeply valued education. Raised by
Genaye Eshetu – Storytelling Through the Camera Read More »
Today, Misrak stands as a leader & role model. She believes leadership is about lifting others up, creating space for different voices, and transferring power by encouraging shared decision-making. She’s a mother of three, and her eldest daughter, a bright student recently received a scholarship abroad, already setting an example for her younger siblings.
Misrak Admasu – From Silence to Influence Read More »
Meseret describes herself as a social scientist: a development specialist focusing on governance, gender, social and child protection. As part of her role, she has conducted national-level research and consulted across the Horn of Africa, working on women and peace agendas, and conflict analysis for IGAD and UNECA.
Meseret Kassahun (Ph.D): Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones Read More »
Born in a small town of Deder, Destu is the eldest among six. Though she was raised in the city of Diredawa, her heart always remained with her wise grandmother, whom she visited every school break. Destu refers to her grandmother as “Natural Social Worker,” never had a formal education but advocated for equal treatment of all and supported women with a genuine beliefe in their power.
Destu Ahmed: A Journey of Purpose Read More »
A Call to the Astute Minds of the Somali Region of Ethiopia to Rewrite Their Place in History by Mohamud A. Ahmed – Cagaweyne. In an age obsessed with firepower, where decisions are driven by drones and diplomacy often dances to the beat of deterrence, we must return to a truth buried beneath the rubble of our forgotten libraries: The pen used right is mightier than the nuke.
Ink Against Annihilation: Why the Pen Used Right Is Mightier Than the Nuke Read More »