Dr. Ambassador Yeshimebrat Mersha Kassa is an Ethiopian scholar and diplomat recognized for her trailblazing leadership in academia, diplomacy, and public service. She became the first female president of Bahir Dar University, serving from 2008 to 2011, after holding positions such as Academic Vice President, Programs Officer, and Gender Office Coordinator. With a PhD in Education, Gender and Development, and Leadership from Leopold-Franzens University in Innsbruck, Austria, she has been a strong advocate for women’s empowerment in higher education. Following her academic leadership, she joined Ethiopia’s diplomatic service, serving as Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire and later as Director of the Foreign Relations Strategic Information Resource Center. In addition, she has been a Chair of peace subcommittee under Foreign Relations and Peace Standing Committee of the Ethiopian parliament where she contributes her expertise to legislative and policy matters. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing education, gender equity, and Ethiopia’s role in both national governance and international relations.

Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn is a distinguished academic leader known for his strong record of institutional transformation at the University of Gondar. Rising rapidly from lecturer to senior leadership roles, he served as Head of the Department of Statistics, Dean of the College of Natural and Computational Sciences, and Academic Vice President before becoming President of the University in 2019. In this role, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership by driving reforms that enhance research capacity, expand international partnerships, and promote inclusive education, particularly for students with disabilities. His ability to combine vision with practical action has positioned the University of Gondar as a model for innovation and community engagement in Ethiopian higher education. Beyond academia, his election to the Amhara State House of Peoples and Representatives in 2021 further reflects his leadership influence in governance and regional development.

Mrs. Helen Reta is a Manager of Research and Policy Analysis Division at 

Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, where she leadsa portfolio of impactful research projects, from design to data collection, analysis and follow-through; research teams to ensure research projects are designed using rigorous and innovative research methods; review of private sector related government policies, proclamations, regulations and directives. She has about fifteen years of experience working in the private sector. 

Dr. Alemayehu Wassie Eshete is the Board Secretary and Executive Director of ORDA Ethiopia. He was elected as Executive Director in January 2018 and has made significant contributions to the organization’s success. With over thirty years of experience in forestry, ecology, and conservation, he has held influential positions within governmental and non-governmental organizations. His commitment extends to conserving church forests in Ethiopia’s northern highlands, which are crucial for biodiversity and water resources. In addition to his environmental work, Dr. Alemayehu is a recognized author of mystical novels, showcasing his literary talents.

H.E Mrs. Tirumar Abate is a state minister for Planning and Development at the Ministry of Planning and Development. She studied Business Management at undergrad and has an MA in Leadership and Governance. She was among the women leaders who have shared their experience to young women during the establishment of Young Ethiopian Women’s Voice (YEWV) in December 2022. She is also one of the women politicians who participated in the leadership and decision-making pre-election (Ethiopian national election 2021) training delivered by Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), Timran and UN Women. She was an active participant in events at schools and Universities she has attended, and she recalled that those exposures helped her to be assertive and vocal.