Women4Climate Mentorship Programme

Women4Climate Mentorship 2023 Addis Ababa The C40 Addis Ababa Women4Climate Mentorship Programme matches committed leaders from the business sector, international organisations, and…

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People

Software Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Promoting sustainable waste management practice

Bio: Bezawit is a software engineering student with a keen interest in climate change. Her project promotes sustainable waste management practices, focusing on composting at the individual level. It aims to raise awareness and encourage people to compost organic waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enrich soil quality.


Her Mentor

Hadas Kidu Teare

Advisor

Addis Ababa

Position: Head advisor at the Addis Ababa Waste Management Bureau

Bio: Hadas Kidu is currently advising the Addis Ababa Waste Management Bureau. She is also a former advisor to the mayor of Addis Ababa and head of women and children affairs. Hadas has a background in business administration, with four years’ experience in mobile banking and four years’ experience in government office.

Architect

Addis Ababa

Project name: Sustainable materials to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.

Bio: Dagmawit is an architect who is passionate about sustainability and climate action. Her project focuses on architectural design that prioritises environmentally friendly materials – like bamboo, recycled steel, and reclaimed wood – and practices that minimise negative impacts on the environment, reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, and promote long-term sustainability.


Her Mentor

Mahder Tadesse Berhanu

Managing Director

Addis Ababa

Position: Deputy managing director/principal architect, Dynamic Planners plc

Bio: Mahder Tadesse Berhanu is a licensed and practising architect with over 14 years of experience. She is currently the principal architect/deputy managing director of Dynamic Planners plc. Mahder has previously served as secretary of the Association of Ethiopian Architects and now works for the association as a professional competition advisor.

Student

Addis Ababa

Project name: Greening urban spaces: Empowering communities through tree planting and environmental education

Bio: Eden is a student at Addis Ababa University, where she leads a club dedicated to tree planting. She is working on an initiative to plant trees in urban areas to create a more sustainable and climate-resilient environment. It aims to increase green spaces and promote community engagement in environmental conservation.


Her Mentor

Hermela Gegziabher

Programme Manager

Addis Ababa

Position: Programme manager

Bio: Hermela G/egziabher works as a programme manager at the Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurship Association. She has a background in electrical engineering and an MA in project management. Hermela is also a certified trainer and has delivered entrepreneurship training as both a business coach and mentor.

Environmental Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Akababinet

Bio: Hana is an environmental engineer and the founder of Akababinet. She graduated from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in 2022. Her project focuses on climate education and digital activism. She works with Eco-justice Ethiopia and local youth to create a climate-conscious community through training and storytelling.


Her Mentor

Meti Tamrat

Programme Associate

Addis Ababa

Position: Director of public and international relations in the city administration of Addis Ababa

Bio: Meti worked as a programme associate in the UN World Food Programme and has a proven track record in developing and executing successful implementation strategies. She has served as a teacher, an environment-protection expert, the coordinator of a school feeding programme, and other projects including ONE WASH programme and UNICEF.

Architect

Addis Ababa

Project name: Designing flood control through landscape and architecture

Bio: Helen has been practising and teaching architecture and landscape architecture for six years. She is currently designing flood controls through landscaping and architecture on a project site in Addis Ababa. The flood-prone settlement is highly affected by overflow from the nearby river and needs an urgent solution.


Her Mentor

Fitsum A. Gelaye

Consultant

Addis Ababa

Position: Consultant: programs and engagement, regional coordinator, Africa | Resilient Cities Network

Bio: Fitsum is an urban planner and architect and has worked in different capacities – from research to programme implementation – in the urban resilience field. Currently, Fitsum supports the development and implementation of programmes geared towards the Resilient Cities Network’s African cities in the areas of food, water, energy resilience, and circularity.

Chemist

Addis Ababa

Project name: Green Ethiopia

Bio: Iman is a chemistry graduate working towards sustainable agriculture and healthy food through organic fertiliser and climate-resilient farming. She is a co-founder of Green Ethiopia, which envisions an agriculture revolution in Ethiopia through the production of organic fertiliser from decomposable organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.


Her Mentor

Fouzia Mushin Abdurahman

Founder and CEO

Addis Ababa

Position: Founder and CEO of VALYOU Training and Consultancy Services

Bio: Fouzia has 25 years’ experience in various roles with a background in food/chemical engineering. She is an internationally certified coach delivering coaching and leadership training through her company, with the core purpose to ‘awaken humans and unleash their power’. Fouzia currently aims to connect and serve even more humans.

Researcher

Addis Ababa

Project name: Developing low-carbon cement through the utilisation of industrial waste material

Bio: Miheret is a researcher dedicated to work on sustainable solutions. She studied civil engineering and has more than a decade of professional experience in both academia and industry. Her project focuses on developing low-carbon cement using industrial waste materials to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.


Her Mentor

Simret Bayou Bogale

General Manager

Addis Ababa

Position: General manager at Simret Bayou Consulting

Bio: Simret Bayou is an architect, general engineer, and structural engineer, currently working as general manager at her own architectural and engineering consultancy.. Simret has a BSc in civil engineering, a BSc in architecture and urban planning, and an MSc in structural engineering.

Mechanical Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Zero-waste engineering solution

Bio: Nebiyat is a mechanical engineer specialising in the design and manufacturing of various machines, particularly focusing on plastic recycling technology. She is working on designing a plastic recycling machine with dual functionality to perform the tasks of cutting plastic into smaller pieces and melting it to produce valuable products.


Her Mentor

Amakelech Lulu

Pharmacist

Addis Ababa

Position: Founder and director of Gishen Pharmacy

Bio: Amakelech has a BSc in pharmacy and served numerous healthcare facilities before starting her own pharmacy retail business. Through her exemplary entrepreneurship and commitment to serving in healthcare, she established Gishen Pharmacy as a well-perceived brand within the industry. Amakelech is also a certified coach and has run many mentoring programmes.

Civil Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Reblu

Bio: Siham is a civil engineer and interior designer by profession. Her project, Reblu, is engaged in recycling plastic waste into high-value home and fashion products. These unique products feature traditional art expression using energy-efficient, low-emission technology and cutting-edge processes to minimise environmental impact


Her Mentor

Elsa Adane

Designer

Addis Ababa

Position: Manager and designer at Chic Shega Artisan Village

Bio: Elsa is a passionate designer who specialises in concept development and marketing of handmade products, crafted with consideration for nature and biodegradability. She is the founder and manager of Chic Shega, an artisan village in Addis Ababa that is dedicated to connecting nature and humans through handmade products.

Policy Researcher

Addis Ababa

Project name: Climate Initiative Ethiopia (CIE)

Bio: Yodit is a policy researcher and climate consultant with a passion for climate literacy, advocacy, and social justice. Her work with Climate Initiative Ethiopia (CIE) aims to raise climate change awareness and engagement and to drive climate action and innovation led by youth and women in Ethiopia.


Her Mentor

Nicola Demme-Tsegaye

Senior Manager

Addis Ababa

Position: Senior manager for organisational development

Bio: Nicola is a senior manager for a German development cooperation and has run projects worldwide in the fields of urban development, education, and private-sector development. Since 2013, she has been living and working in Ethiopia where she coaches business owners and managers to unleash their personal and professional potential.

Advisor

Addis Ababa

Position: Head advisor at the Addis Ababa Waste Management Bureau

Bio: Hadas Kidu is currently advising the Addis Ababa Waste Management Bureau. She is also a former advisor to the mayor of Addis Ababa and head of women and children affairs. Hadas has a background in business administration, with four years’ experience in mobile banking and four years’ experience in government office.


Her Mentee

Bezawit Liro

Software Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Promoting sustainable waste management practice

Bio: Bezawit is a software engineering student with a keen interest in climate change. Her project promotes sustainable waste management practices, focusing on composting at the individual level. It aims to raise awareness and encourage people to compost organic waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enrich soil quality.

Managing Director

Addis Ababa

Position: Deputy managing director/principal architect, Dynamic Planners plc

Bio: Mahder Tadesse Berhanu is a licensed and practising architect with over 14 years of experience. She is currently the principal architect/deputy managing director of Dynamic Planners plc. Mahder has previously served as secretary of the Association of Ethiopian Architects and now works for the association as a professional competition advisor.


Her Mentee

Dagmawit Legesse

Architect

Addis Ababa

Project name: Sustainable materials to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.

Bio: Dagmawit is an architect who is passionate about sustainability and climate action. Her project focuses on architectural design that prioritises environmentally friendly materials – like bamboo, recycled steel, and reclaimed wood – and practices that minimise negative impacts on the environment, reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, and promote long-term sustainability.

Programme Manager

Addis Ababa

Position: Programme manager

Bio: Hermela G/egziabher works as a programme manager at the Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurship Association. She has a background in electrical engineering and an MA in project management. Hermela is also a certified trainer and has delivered entrepreneurship training as both a business coach and mentor.


Her Mentee

Eden Kibret Kassie

Student

Addis Ababa

Project name: Greening urban spaces: Empowering communities through tree planting and environmental education

Bio: Eden is a student at Addis Ababa University, where she leads a club dedicated to tree planting. She is working on an initiative to plant trees in urban areas to create a more sustainable and climate-resilient environment. It aims to increase green spaces and promote community engagement in environmental conservation.

Programme Associate

Addis Ababa

Position: Director of public and international relations in the city administration of Addis Ababa

Bio: Meti worked as a programme associate in the UN World Food Programme and has a proven track record in developing and executing successful implementation strategies. She has served as a teacher, an environment-protection expert, the coordinator of a school feeding programme, and other projects including ONE WASH programme and UNICEF.


Her Mentee

Hana Melese Maru

Environmental Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Akababinet

Bio: Hana is an environmental engineer and the founder of Akababinet. She graduated from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in 2022. Her project focuses on climate education and digital activism. She works with Eco-justice Ethiopia and local youth to create a climate-conscious community through training and storytelling.

Consultant

Addis Ababa

Position: Consultant: programs and engagement, regional coordinator, Africa | Resilient Cities Network

Bio: Fitsum is an urban planner and architect and has worked in different capacities – from research to programme implementation – in the urban resilience field. Currently, Fitsum supports the development and implementation of programmes geared towards the Resilient Cities Network’s African cities in the areas of food, water, energy resilience, and circularity.


Her Mentee

Helen Zeray Weldekidan

Architect

Addis Ababa

Project name: Designing flood control through landscape and architecture

Bio: Helen has been practising and teaching architecture and landscape architecture for six years. She is currently designing flood controls through landscaping and architecture on a project site in Addis Ababa. The flood-prone settlement is highly affected by overflow from the nearby river and needs an urgent solution.

Founder and CEO

Addis Ababa

Position: Founder and CEO of VALYOU Training and Consultancy Services

Bio: Fouzia has 25 years’ experience in various roles with a background in food/chemical engineering. She is an internationally certified coach delivering coaching and leadership training through her company, with the core purpose to ‘awaken humans and unleash their power’. Fouzia currently aims to connect and serve even more humans.


Her Mentee

Iman Mustafa

Chemist

Addis Ababa

Project name: Green Ethiopia

Bio: Iman is a chemistry graduate working towards sustainable agriculture and healthy food through organic fertiliser and climate-resilient farming. She is a co-founder of Green Ethiopia, which envisions an agriculture revolution in Ethiopia through the production of organic fertiliser from decomposable organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

General Manager

Addis Ababa

Position: General manager at Simret Bayou Consulting

Bio: Simret Bayou is an architect, general engineer, and structural engineer, currently working as general manager at her own architectural and engineering consultancy.. Simret has a BSc in civil engineering, a BSc in architecture and urban planning, and an MSc in structural engineering.


Her Mentee

Miheret Geremew Bizuneh

Researcher

Addis Ababa

Project name: Developing low-carbon cement through the utilisation of industrial waste material

Bio: Miheret is a researcher dedicated to work on sustainable solutions. She studied civil engineering and has more than a decade of professional experience in both academia and industry. Her project focuses on developing low-carbon cement using industrial waste materials to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.

Pharmacist

Addis Ababa

Position: Founder and director of Gishen Pharmacy

Bio: Amakelech has a BSc in pharmacy and served numerous healthcare facilities before starting her own pharmacy retail business. Through her exemplary entrepreneurship and commitment to serving in healthcare, she established Gishen Pharmacy as a well-perceived brand within the industry. Amakelech is also a certified coach and has run many mentoring programmes.


Her Mentee

Nebiyat Yasin

Mechanical Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Zero-waste engineering solution

Bio: Nebiyat is a mechanical engineer specialising in the design and manufacturing of various machines, particularly focusing on plastic recycling technology. She is working on designing a plastic recycling machine with dual functionality to perform the tasks of cutting plastic into smaller pieces and melting it to produce valuable products.

Designer

Addis Ababa

Position: Manager and designer at Chic Shega Artisan Village

Bio: Elsa is a passionate designer who specialises in concept development and marketing of handmade products, crafted with consideration for nature and biodegradability. She is the founder and manager of Chic Shega, an artisan village in Addis Ababa that is dedicated to connecting nature and humans through handmade products.


Her Mentee

Siham Kamil

Civil Engineer

Addis Ababa

Project name: Reblu

Bio: Siham is a civil engineer and interior designer by profession. Her project, Reblu, is engaged in recycling plastic waste into high-value home and fashion products. These unique products feature traditional art expression using energy-efficient, low-emission technology and cutting-edge processes to minimise environmental impact

Senior Manager

Addis Ababa

Position: Senior manager for organisational development

Bio: Nicola is a senior manager for a German development cooperation and has run projects worldwide in the fields of urban development, education, and private-sector development. Since 2013, she has been living and working in Ethiopia where she coaches business owners and managers to unleash their personal and professional potential.


Her Mentee

Yodit Seyoum

Policy Researcher

Addis Ababa

Project name: Climate Initiative Ethiopia (CIE)

Bio: Yodit is a policy researcher and climate consultant with a passion for climate literacy, advocacy, and social justice. Her work with Climate Initiative Ethiopia (CIE) aims to raise climate change awareness and engagement and to drive climate action and innovation led by youth and women in Ethiopia.