Governace & Leadership
At Siddartha Development Ethiopia Inc., our leadership team embodies empathy and compassion. Our values-driven approach and expertise enable us to fulfill the organization's vision, mission, and core values and provide exceptional service for our clients.
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Siddartha Development Inc. benefits from the invaluable contributions of its board members in Belgium (https://siddartha.be/nl/). They play a pivotal role in mobilizing resources from a vast network of individuals, professionals, and volunteers in Belgium and the rest of Europe. Their support to the projects and staff in Ethiopia is comprehensive. Siddartha Inc. is also represented in Ethiopia by a dedicated Country Representative.
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In Ethiopia, each project has one project coordinator and other important technical and support staff members responsible for directly implementing project activities. They work under the coordination of the head office, led by the country representative and with the support of other key staff. The organization has accumulated experience in building the capacity of marginalized community groups, enabling them to use their potential for the rest of their lives.​
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In 2023, SDE obtained 501(c)(3) status, establishing itself as a non-profit organization in the United States. The organization's board members, based in the United States, actively coordinate fundraising endeavors to provide support for SDE Inc's projects in Ethiopia. These initiatives aim to positively impact communities in Ethiopia by focusing on various sustainable development projects.
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​​​​Firehun G/Yohannes Habte- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Country Representative
Firehun is one of the five founders of Siddartha Development Ethiopian (SDE), and he has been serving in different capacities since SDE's inception in 1999. He has contributed to the development of various programs at different stages. Currently, he serves as a country representative.
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He is a leader with deep experience in nonprofit administration and community work, passionate about bringing positive social change to marginalized members of society. In addition to his role at Siddartha Development Ethiopian Inc., he is also involved in public policy and systems change work in the wider nonprofit sector in Ethiopia and beyond. He is a committed leader of social change, demonstrating visionary leadership through strategic direction setting, business acumen, creativity, innovation, and a keen interest in learning and community transformation.
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With over 23 years of nonprofit administration experience, he is an active and servant leader seeking to bring change to negatively impacted marginalized communities. He believes in developing meaningful partnerships to address the root causes of the challenges communities face, including systemic inequities. Firehun received his B.A. in Managment and his Master of Arts in Development Management.
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Kifle Sebgaze Siraga- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Program Manager
Kifle is an experienced professional with an MA in Development Management, an MSC in Rural Development, and a BSc in Agricultural Economics. As a Program Manager in SDE, he supervises and supports program staff, liaises with donors and government sectors, develops project proposals, ensures quality service provision, and produces timely evaluation reports. He also schedules work assignments, evaluates job performances, and takes corrective actions when needed. The major professional experiences gained through his stay in SDE as Program Manager are developing strategies, projects, and activities progressively aligned with SDE’s Vision and Missions; management of budget and timeline; project team building and sustaining experiences; Participatory monitoring & evaluation of strategies, projects, and activities; documenting of best practices for learning and applying of SDE’s values in every initiative of the projects.
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Abinet Bekele- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Andinet & Glorieux Project Coordinator
Abinet feels privileged to work at SDE for the past 16 years. He is deeply passionate about bringing positive change to many sectors of society by developing feelings of self-dependency and resilience. He has a strong commitment to tackling complex challenges faced by vulnerable members of Ethiopians. During his role as a project coordinator at SDE, he successfully managed and implemented numerous rehabilitation projects. These projects enabled many destitute Ethiopians to optimally use their potential and assets, providing vital support and resources to those who have been marginalized and overlooked by society. His professional efforts lifted many individuals experiencing abject poverty, trauma, and various types of life's hardships. He facilitated the provision of safe shelter, basic needs support, access to education and vocational training, and offered basic business skill training along with psychosocial support and counseling services. He tirelessly worked to create the safest place of hope and encouraging environments where service users could heal and thrive, leading to the eventual betterment and reunification of disintegrated families.
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Firafis Dereje- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Little Heaven Project Coordinator
Firafis lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and has over a decade of experience dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. He holds two Master’s degrees in Applied Developmental Psychology and Social Anthropology, as well as a BA in Psychology, Sociology, and Economics. Since 2016, he has been a project coordinator at SDE, playing a crucial role in furthering the organization’s mission to empower underprivileged groups. He oversees programs designed to promote self-sufficiency and healthy living among children and youth. Firafis has shown unwavering dedication to community welfare through various previous positions. His extensive training in community development and child protection has enhanced his ability to deliver impactful programs. He offers psychosocial support, life skills training, and economic empowerment for caregivers, improving the self-reliance and well-being of beneficiaries.
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Samuel D Alemayheu, MSW, LICSW
SDE Inc. USA, Board Member
Samuel serves as a Board Member at SDE Inc. USA to support the vital works of SDE Inc. in Ethiopia. He obtained his Master's in Social Work from the University of London and currently serves as an administrator and clinical director at a private mental health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. Throughout his extensive professional journey, Samuel has dedicated himself to working with marginalized individuals in Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He strongly believes in the power of collaborative efforts, such as the longstanding work carried out by SDE, as a driving force for fostering positive social change on a global scale.
Dr. Yamlaksira Getachew
SDE Inc. USA, Board Member
Dr. Yamlaksira is an Assistant Professor of Strategy at Babson College and holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Ivey Business School, Western University, Canada. He serves as a board member at SDE Inc., USA, and supports the effort by drawing on many years of business and philanthropic experience. He has advised several entities including UNCTAD and the African Union. He believes in collaborative work to address the basic and most complex needs of vulnerable members of our society. He supports the vision and mission of SDE Inc. and brings his experience and expertise to help the organization achieve its set goals.
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