The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF) has added four new members to its board. They bring experience in aviation, finance, construction, advocacy, and development.
EDTF started in 2018. Its goal is to bring Ethiopians living abroad together to support projects at home. The fund invests in areas such as education, healthcare, technology, and agriculture.
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Earlier this year, EDTF hosted the Great Rift Valley Innovation Summit 2025 in Addis Ababa. The event highlighted the fund’s work and its plans for the future.
Board Chair Lulite Ejigu said the new members are respected professionals who will help the fund grow.
The new board members are:
- Captain Solomon Gizaw is the founder and managing director of Abyssinian Flight Services and Aviation Academy. He has nearly 40 years of flying experience and is a former president of the Ethiopian Diaspora Association Network.
- Teemt Berhanu works as a World Bank project coordinator. She has experience in political analysis, peacebuilding, and agricultural exports. She has worked in Ethiopia and other African countries.
- Messay Gessesse is a certified public accountant based in Washington DC. He is co-managing partner at FM Financial Services and owns Tribeca Builds. He has held senior financial roles at Marriott International and Automated Precision Inc.
- Belaynesh “Bella” Hailemariam is the founder of BE Smart Finance. She has more than 20 years of experience in governance, risk management, and corporate services. She has worked with organizations such as the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and Livelihoods Solutions International.
The new members are already working on plans for the Great Rift Valley Innovation Summit 2026. EDTF says more details about the event will be shared soon.
