The First Generation
Tewodoros Asfaw
Tewodros Asfaw was born in Ethiopia and spent his early years in there until moving to the United States as a teenager. He earned his BS in Finance at St. Cloud State University with a minor in Economic. During this time, he served as President of the University’s Ethiopian Student Association, where he focused on promoting awareness of the Ethiopian culture. After earning his MS in Social Responsibility with an emphasis in Trade and Development Studies, he worked as a College Coach for the non-profit organization, College Possible. As a Coach, he mentored and supported low-income students succeed in college. As a first-generation immigrant, Tewodros has always known the importance of education. His passion for education and service has grown deeper through his experiences as an Ethiopian diaspora and he is eager to be apart of the first generation of EDF Fellows. Through EDF, he hopes to support Ethiopia’s economic growth by expanding access to education.
Connect on LinkedIn›
Tewodros Afsaw
Naome Seifu
" As a developed creative storyteller with a degree in Digital Broadcast Journalism and Global Affairs from the University of Georgia, Naome has honed her talents with global digital media management both in East Africa as well as the Middle East. Her experience in international politics and development craft her ability to share authentic stories that bring social change. Naome is a digital media and creative communications specialist that builds through authenticity. Blending her experiences and education, her unique perspective and passion for writing allows her to genuinely connect with her audience.
Connect on LinkedIn›
Naome Seifu
Liat Desta
"Liat Desta graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, with a focus on Health Sciences. She worked at Kaiser Permanente as an Occupational Medicine & Pediatrics Intern, learning the administrative management necessary to maintain hospital's day-to-day schedule. Her work with Genesis, a community organization, led her to advocate for justice and equality among new immigrants. She also organized and selected the Leadership Committee that organized L.A Works Day, Los Angeles' largest volunteer-based community improvement event. As a member of Marians, a university service organization that focused on improving the lives of women and children in Los Angeles, Liat was able to actively better the community through her work as a tutor at the Boys and Girls Club at Mar Vista Gardens. Liat is excited to be the first EDF cohort, and looks forward to enriching her understanding of public health conditions in Ethiopia.
Connect on LinkedIn›
Liat Desta
Ebanezare Tadele"
"Ebanezare Tadele was born and raised in the inner city of San Diego, California. His urban surrounding and Ethiopian culture created a passion for international development and social justice. Ebanezare graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Communication, Ebanezare blended his passion with his education into his work in the community. He was the Vice President of the Black Student Union, helping lead the school’s African American student body striving for racial equality. Ebanezare was also part of PLNU’s nationally ranked Speech and Debate Team as a junior level national debater. In addition to this, he’s served both as a volunteer and intern at his local Ethiopian Church and local Ethiopian Community Center while striving to continue to support his community through other community events. Through EDF, Ebanezare is excited to learn ways he can utilize his education and experiences for the development and growth of Ethiopia.
Connect on LinkedIn›
Ebanezare Tadele
Eden Mesfin
Since receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Eden Mesfin has tailored her work experience to focus on issues surrounding international development, education, and policy. Since graduating Eden has worked in Washington D.C. with a foreign policy consulting firm as Special Assistant to the former U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay. From there, Eden gained exposure to health care policy and cancer research as a Program Associate at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, assisting with development of an online tool to help research sites in academic, hospital, and community settings. Currently, at Georgetown University, she has further expanded her management and quantitative skills as the Administrative Officer of the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship. She is responsible for analyzing and processing financial report and administering faculty payroll. For the past four years, Eden’s passion for education and literacy motivated her to become a volunteer and outreach ambassador for the Reading Partners organization in Washington D.C. She is excited to be an Ethiopian Diaspora Fellow, allowing her to fulfill her dream of finding tangible methods to improve literacy, youth development, and women’s rights in Ethiopia.
Connect on LinkedIn›