Management
Dr. Hagos Abrha Abay
Founder & CEO
Short Bio: Currently is a project manager for the Textile in Ethiopian Manuscripts (TEM) project, and teaches, at the University of Toronto (Canada). He taught for more than a decade, was the founder, and director of the St. Yared Center at Mekelle University (Ethiopia), and was recently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hamburg (Germany), under the ‘Cluster of Excellence’. In 2018, Dr Hagos was appointed as Deputy CEO of the Ethiopian Tourism Organization, the Ministry of Tourism now, by the Ethiopian prime minister, before his self-resignation. He served as the board chairman of the Wejjerat Development Association and is now a board member of the Global Society of Tigrayan Scholars (GSTS). He has been documenting war-damaged Northern Ethiopia’s (Tigray) cultural heritage, and reporting to international bodies like the European Parliament, and UNESCO. He is the founder of Mahlete Gumaye (a cultural initiative in Tigray) and Gumaye Foundation.
Special Focus: Culture and Heritage
Mr. Halefom Gezae
Coo-founder & Board Director
Short Bio: With long-lived work experience out of which 13 years in an international NGO, Halefom is the National Program Director of Imagine1Day International Organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Growing across diversified expertise and leadership roles with established innovative successes, he contributed to the knowledge society beyond getting paid in his role; as a passionate community servant, he unreservedly provided several leadership and management training. Moreover, he is the president of Fana Youth Saving and Credit Cooperative (FYSCC) transforming 23,000 members of socio-economic lives, and a board member of Semien Microfinance (Mekelle, North Ethiopia). To strengthen his mission, he invested more in academic efforts; hence earned degrees: an MA in Community Development and Leadership, a BA in Management, and a BSc in Mathematics. Halefom is now a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Policy and Strategic Management at Mekelle University. Mr. Halefom is the Co-founder and passionate board director of the Gumaye Foundation.
Special Focus: Literacy and Education
Dr. Fana Hagos
Board Member
Short Bio: She was the former president of the Tigray Regional State Supreme Court and is currently president of Mekelle University (Ethiopia).
Special Focus: Peace and Stability
Laureate Prof. Dr. Mitiku Haile
Board Member
Shot Bio: Former president of Mekelle University
Special Focus: Environment
Ms. Mebrat Haftu
Project Coordinator
Short Bio: Ms. Mebrat Haftu is a lecturer, and department head at the Department of Educational Leadership and Management at Mekelle University (MU). She earned her BA degree in Planning and Management, and her MA degree in Educational Leadership and Management from Addis Ababa University. She is a founding member of Mekelle Microfinance. With her wonderful social sympathy and organizational skills, much of her time is committed to community service at small and gross levels. Ms. Mebrat is currently a PhD candidate at Mekelle University and a board member of the Gumaye Foundation.
Special Focus: Literacy and Education
Ms. Zenebu Halefom
Board Member
Deputy of Culture and Tourism Bureau of the Regional State of Tigray
Special Focus: Culture and Heritage
Reiye Esayas Mengesha, MD
Board Member
Short Bio: Dr. Reiye, with 17 years of experience, serves as an associate professor and senior clinical practitioner at Mekelle University Ayder Comprehensive Teaching Hospital. A pivotal figure in the establishment of the college and hospital, he spearheaded the launch of the surgical residency program. Actively participating in national and international conferences, he elevated clinical services and academia. Dr. Reiye, a skilled surgeon, pioneered minimal access and HPB surgery in the region, reducing referrals and addressing war-related traumas. His global impact is evident through publications and conferences, representing the country. Beyond clinical and academic pursuits, he led the ‘Saving Lives Through Safe Surgery’ project, contributing to global surgery initiatives. Engaging in policy matters, he advocated for task shifting programs to mitigate maternal and child mortality. With diverse leadership roles, from medical director to president of the Ethiopian IHPBA chapter, he excels in communication and collaboration, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare.
Special Focus: Health
Mr. Haftu Hagos
Program Manager
Short Bio: With a tough educational journey marked by resilience and achievements, Haftu earned his BSc in Computer Science and Engineering from Mekelle Institute of Technology (MIT), Ethiopia, in 2010 and his master’s degree in computer engineering in 2014 from Defence University (Ethiopia). In 2017, he founded Aelaf ICT Solutions PLC and was a technical manager of the PLC for the last five years. Since 2019, he has been working as vice chairman of the Wejjerat Development Association(WDA). Since 2021, he has contributed significantly to Imagine 1 Day International Organization in various roles, and now is a national MEAL Manager at Imagine1day International Organization; as a husband and father of two daughters, finds Imagine 1 Day to be a life-changing force, empowering him personally and professionally. As a board member of the Gumaye Foundation, his expertise, among other things, can back up knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) in the foundation.
Special Focus: Information Technology
Mrs. Desta Brhanu G/hiwot
Monitoring and Evaluation
Short Bio: Desta holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics and is currently a PhD candidate in economics at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Norway. In Ethiopia, she taught at the universities of Aksum and Mekelle for more than a decade. She has also worked as a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for an international humanitarian organization of Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Mekelle (Ethiopia). Desta has also worked as a Finance and Budget Officer at different times.
Special Focus: Economics