Our Team

Meet the core team that volunteer their time, expertise, and passion to build a thriving community.

Mesfin Getaneh

Founder and Chair

Shimelse Mekonnen

Founder and Executive Vice Chair

Lulit Tesfaye

Founder and Vice Chair

Henok Tedla

Treasurer and Finance Director

Yanit Belachew

Secretary and Communication Director

Sinafik Gebru

Director of Membership Services

Semret Yibass

Career Development Program Lead

Aster Gubay

Diaspora Community Engagement Program Lead

Tigist Ruga

Personal and Professional Development Program Lead

Manahat Thomas

Recent Arrivals Development Program Lead

Volunteers and Past Team Members

Elbethel Gebrehiwot

Program Officer at FHI 360

Deresse (Dee) Harris

Senior Consultant at Navigator Management Partners

Tigest Alemu

Director of Program Support Services at The Jubilee Association of Maryland

Tadu Yimam

Senior Director, Online Learning and Publications

Hiwot Maru

IT Professional

Sabel Kassa

Senior Business System Analyst at USAC

Lulit Beshah

Senior Director Operations at The Urban Institute

Birhanu Abate

Director of Membership Services

Anna Argaw

Accounting Manager at Tempus, Inc

Solomon Garedew

Business and System Integration Consultant at Accenture

Hiwi Asfaw

Senior Grant Accountant at Mary's Center

Maraki Shimelis

PhD Candidate, Educational Leadership and Comparative & International Education

Ayalew Taye

Executive Assistant to the VP at the Georgetown University