The visionary behind Global Women Empowerment Development, Ethiopia (GWEDE), our Executive Director, brings over 20 years of experience working with both international and local NGOs. A native of Moyale, Ethiopia, she has dedicated her career to uplifting marginalized communities, particularly women, girls, and youth. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa, she has led impactful programs aimed at improving health, education, food security, and gender equality.

Having served as the Country Director for our sister organization in Kenya for over 8 years, she has successfully managed and led programs funded by international donors, including DFID and Comic Relief. Her experience in Ethiopia spans two critical projects (2014-2016 and 2018-2021) focused on improving maternal and child health, nutrition, and the empowerment of women and girls through integrated community-based approaches.

As an Executive Director, her leadership is guided by a strong commitment to faith, culture, and social justice, ensuring that GWEDE’s work resonates deeply with local communities while driving sustainable development. With a majority female board, GWEDE reflects her belief in the power of women’s leadership, using it as a foundation for creating transformative change.