Ethiopia Dr. Mogessie is a vibrant and passionate youth health advocate who serves as a volunteer leader for multiple health initiatives. He is currently the Senior Adviser for North and East Africa in Global Health Focus Initiative, which aims to develop critical thinkers and leaders in global health. He is a sexual and reproductive health advocate and project coordinator of … Read More
Ethiopia Born in Ethiopia and raised in Kenya, Tizzita co-founded and runs a social enterprise that provides pregnant women with maternal and infant care information using an SMS application. She is passionate about social entrepreneurship, mobile technologies, and using innovation to think differently about problem-solving. Tizzita is committed to the inclusion of the women and girls she serves to find … Read More
Ethiopia A recent graduate of law school, Nahom’s interests include youth development, gender-based violence, and education. He has been involved in youth development and health since the age of 13, and has extensive experience using video, radio, television, and social media to reach marginalized youth. Nahom spoke at the House of Commons in London to outline the expectations of young … Read More
Ethiopia Yoadan is a tireless advocate for youth development and seeks to “create an army of youth advocates” through her work. In addition to advocacy, her particular areas of interest include comprehensive sex education and eliminating child marriage and female genital mutilation. Yoadan believes in the power of youth and the importance of strategically engaging governments at national and global … Read More
Ethiopia Etsehiwot is committed to the prevention of gender-based violence and works directly with violence survivors in her country. In addition, she is passionate about girls’ empowerment and the importance of investing in them. Etsehiwot seeks to provide girls with leadership and empowerment training to enable them to reach their potential. Rise Up Cohort: Youth Champion 2017
Tsehainesh Abay, MPH is the Health Department Head and Health Program Director of the Relief Society of Tigray (REST). REST is engaged in advocacy work on behalf of orphans and youth, people living with HIV, adolescent girls and young women, fighting to reduce gender-based violence including early marriage, fistula, and rape through leadership training for adolescent girls, income-generating activities for early … Read More
Ephrem Berhanu is co-founder and Managing Director of Talent Youth Association (TaYA), a youth-led development organization engaged in youth sexual and reproductive health programs. TaYA focuses on ensuring young girls’ participation in matters that affect their lives and promoting gender-equitable health services.
Wubitu Hailu Gebrekristos, MPH is the founder and Managing Director of the Kulich Youth Reproductive Health and Development Organization (KYRHDO), which serves more than twenty thousand adolescent girls in their communities and workplaces with reproductive health services, including HIV/AIDS and Gender issues education. She obtained her Community Nursing diploma from Gondar Public Health College in 1971. She went on to … Read More
Zeritu Kebede is a singer-songwriter whose debut album “Zeritu” was released in 2006 to widespread acclaim. She has toured around the world and has been involved in public awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS and other issues in Ethiopia.
Makda recently served as a project officer at the The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Ethiopia, and is currently enrolled at the Law School of Georgetown University. She graduated from Mekelle University Law School in Ethiopia, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Law in 2006.
