Teddy Ejamo

Teddy M. Ejamo is founding partner and Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Teddy is an accomplished Data and Business Intelligence professional with extensive experience spanning database development, data analytics, and visualization. Teddy has a robust expertise in areas such as Data Integration, Data Modeling, Business Intelligence, and Database Administration. His technical proficiencies encompass Dataflow Automation, Cloud Computing, Advanced Analytics, Data Governance and Compliance, and Big Data frameworks like Spark and Kafka among others. Teddy is also well-versed with languages such as C#, M Query, DAX, T-SQL, and PL/SQL.

Teddy has worked with numerous prominent technology and business organizations such as Convoke Systems, Freedom Mortgage, NIKA Solutions, EJF Capital LLC, NeighborWorks America, Cardinal Innovations, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools taking lead roles in developing BI reports, translating business needs into data products, managing cross-functional projects, and implementing advanced analytic tools. He played a key role in deploying cutting-edge Business Intelligence tools to track and analyze social media sentiment, offering early insights into market trends and consumer preferences that guided product development strategies.

Teddy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Teddy has also pursued numerous specialized trainings in Business Intelligence, Database Development, and Data Integration.

Taddesse Tesemma

Taddesse Y. Tesemma is founding partner and Managing Director at UPTeC. With over 25 years of professional experience, Taddesse has worked as a program manager, career diplomat, workforce development professional, and trainer of trainers. He has expertise in management, program development, local government and community relations, and building and maintaining effective partnerships.

Taddesse is currently serving the Montgomery County Government, the local government organization that serves Montgomery County, Maryland. From 1998 to 2007, Tadesse served as Ethiopian diplomat including as a Senior Diplomat at the Ethiopian Embassy in London.

Taddesse holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations (Major) and Public Administration (Minor) from Addis Ababa University. Across the years, Taddesse had extensive professional trainings including in management, diplomatic communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and mediation.

Mahalet Tafesse

Mahalet Tafesse is founding partner and UPTeC’s Chief Financial Officer. Mahalet is responsible for the company’s financial statements, capital structure, and related financial operations and transactions. Mahalet is an expert in budget and expenditure analysis, tax preparation, and handling complex procurement tracking.

Mahalet has held various roles in finance and procurement at NeighborWorks America in Washington, DC since May 2016. From February 2015- May 2016, Mahalet has been a Finance Assistant at John Snow, Inc. for the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT in Rosslyn, Virginia. Her duties included financial analysis and reporting, processing invoices, and team coordination. Earlier, she worked as a Tax Preparer at Liberty Tax Service in Baltimore, MD (January 2014 – April 2014), managing tax preparation processes, and conducting customer interviews.

Mahalet holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Economics with a minor in Information Systems from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She was on the President’s and Dean’s list for most of the semesters at UMBC. Mahalet certifications include a Certificate in Data Science Principles from Harvard Business School (July 2021), a HBX CORe (May 2018), GSA Acquisition and eTools (February 2017), and membership in Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international Economics Honor Society (April 2015).

Demelash Wondimu

Demelash Wondimu is founding partner and Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Demelash is a seasoned lawyer with a broad spectrum of experience in immigration law, labor relations, and policy development spanning over two decades in the United States and Ethiopia. In the summer of 2010, Demelash was a researcher at the World Food Law Institute at Howard University School of Law in Washington DC where he studied the land tenure systems in West Africa and their effects on cocoa farmers in the region.

From 2003 up to 2005, Demelash has served as a Labor Relations Manager at the Ethiopian Airlines where he advised the Ethiopian Airlines on labor relations policies and played a leading role in grievance resolution and collective bargaining in the company. Demelash was also a senior researcher at the Justice and Legal Research Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he advised the Ethiopian government on the criminal justice system and constitutional interpretation from 1998 up to 2003. Earlier in his career, Demelash served as legal advisor and attorney at the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he oversaw the drafting and implementation of aviation laws and international agreements on aircraft lease and purchase by the Ethiopian Airlines.

Demelash received his Master of Laws from Howard University School of Law where he was recognized with the CALI Award for his outstanding achievement in studying the United States legal system. Additionally, Demelash holds a Bachelor of Laws from the School of Law at Addis Ababa University.

Kjetil Tronvoll

Kjetil Tronvoll is founding partner and Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Tronvoll has over three decades of experience working as a political analyst, conflict advisor, and development consultant across Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa. He is currently Prorector for Research and Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies / International Studies at Oslo New University College, and Managing Director of Oslo Analytica, a research and advisory company. Tronvoll was professor of human rights at the University of Oslo until 2012, when he resigned to prioritise his engagement in conflict reconciliation and policy advise to international agencies.

Tronvoll is a world leading expert on Ethiopia and Eritrea and is an often-used expert on the Horn of Africa and conflicts, and appears regularly on BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, and in world leading newspapers. He has served as an advisor to political reconciliation processes and international peace meditating initiatives in several African countries. Tronvoll has worked as an advisor on various issues for inter alia US State Department, UK FCO, and the foreign ministries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

Tronvoll’s doctoral degree is in political anthropology from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Additionally, he holds an M.Phil research degree in social anthropology from the University of Oslo. He has published in high-ranking academic journals on issues of human rights; transitional justice; peace, reconciliation and conflict studies; democratization and elections; political anthropology; and African studies.

Girmachew Alemu

Dr. Girmachew Alemu Aneme is a founding partner and the Executive Director at UPTeC. He has over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and consulting in law and public policy. From 2015 to 2023, Girmachew served as an Associate Professor of Law at the School of Law at Addis Ababa University. From 2010 to 2012, he was the head of the Graduate Centre for Human Rights at Addis Ababa University.

Girmachew has consulted for various international and local organizations, including the American Bar Association, USAID, Save the Children Norway, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Canadian International Development Agency, Australia Aid, DFID, and the Austrian Development Agency on issues such as elections, education policy, judicial reform, and access to justice in Ethiopia.

Girmachew was a Hubert Humphrey Fellow during the 2012-2013 academic year at the University of Minnesota Law School. He was also a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School during the 2017-2018 academic year. He has conducted research and published on topics such as legal pluralism, the rights of children, environmental rights, gender-based violence, transitional justice, elections, political parties, and the African Union.

Girmachew holds a Ph.D. and an MA in Law from the University of Oslo, a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Addis Ababa University.

Ashagre Bishaw

Ashagre M. Bishaw is Senior Advisor at UPTeC. Ashagre has over two decades of work experience in the technology industry, providing computer software and hardware solutions to various companies. Between 1997-1999, he worked as a Software Developer, where he gathered business requirements, recommended changes to requirements, designed and built client/server software solutions to improve business processes for various group homes in southern California. Between 1999-2003, Ashagre worked as a Senior Programmer Analyst for several startups in northern California’s Silicon Valley, where he was involved in designing and building software components for printing postage stamps online and for writing medical prescriptions through handheld devices used by doctors, both of which were breakthrough technologies at the time.

From 2003-2007, Ashagre served as a Senior Programmer Analyst in a mortgage company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he designed and built web based software solutions that improved the processing of mortgage loans for the company as well as its customers. Since 2007, Ashagre has worked on cloud software solutions for a major financial company where he currently serves as Vice President of Software Engineering.

Ashagre holds an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems from Riverside College in Southern California. He also holds certifications for Application Security Champion for cybersecurity, AWS Cloud Practitioner and AWS Solutions Architect.

Hilari Tadesse

Hilari Tadesse is founding partner and Head of Human Resources and Public Relations at UPTeC. Hilari is dynamic HR and Project Management professional with over seven years of combined experience in leadership roles. Hilari has professional expertise in HR operations, policy implementation, and workforce management. Her key accomplishments include leading routine HR audits, managing recruitment processes, and providing guidance on complex employee relations issues.

As a Human Resources manager at Marriott International, Hilari provided adequate HR support, managed employee relations, and oversaw various HR projects. Fluent in Advanced Amharic and Tigrinya, Hilari brings bilingual proficiency to enhance communication in diverse environments.

Hilari holds an MBA in Project Management from Strayer University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Towson University. Currently, Hilari is pursuing a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Alemayehu Fentaw

Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam is Senior Analyst at UPTeC. He holds the position of Lecturer-in-Law at Mekelle University School of Law, where he teaches courses in constitutional law, federalism, and human rights. His academic journey commenced in 2005 and has since included appointments at various esteemed institutions, including Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, and Jimma University School of Law in Ethiopia. At these institutions, he lectured on a diverse array of courses covering legal and political theory, peace and conflict studies, international relations, and Horn of Africa Conflicts.

Beyond academia, Alemayehu brings a wealth of multidisciplinary experience, having made significant contributions across various sectors including government, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and the press. Alemayehu contributes to the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Project at Gothenburg University, Sweden, as a Country Expert and Coder. He has been recognized as a Salzburg Global Fellow in Peacemaking and Peacebuilding and has undergone training at the Academy for International Business Officials in Beijing, China. His professional journey includes pivotal roles such as National Peace Advisor to the Ethiopian Ministry of Federal Affairs, Chief Legal Counsel to the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, Project Officer at the Organization for Social Justice, Editor-in-Chief of Addis Fortune, and Political Commentator of Ethiopia Insight. Alemayehu has extensively published on Horn of Africa conflicts, Ethiopian law, and politics.

Alemayehu holds Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from the European University Center for Peace Studies in Stadtschlaining, Austria, Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, and Bachelor of Laws from Addis Ababa University. Currently, Alemayehu is pursuing a PhD in Law and Democracy at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where he holds a fellowship at the Center for Constitutional Democracy.

Ashagrie Abdi

Dr. Ashagrie Abdi is founding partner and Strategic Manager at UPTeC. Ashagrie is a distinguished professional with over a decade of experience in legal practice, policy analysis, conflict resolution, human rights, and complex negotiations. Earlier in his career, Ashagrie served as a street law teacher in a program spearheaded by the Addis Ababa University School of Law Alumni Association aimed at educating the public on human rights. Ashagrie was also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Student Law Review at the Addis Ababa School of Law.
Expanding his horizons internationally, Ashagrie collaborated extensively with the Blum Legal Clinic at Northwestern University School of Law where he participated in drafting legal appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court advocating on behalf of defendants sentenced to death due to ineffective counsel. His international work included leading training sessions in Malawi on business and human rights, contributing to the legal discourse on human rights through amicus brief to the Malawi Supreme Court, and advocating for the rights of unjustly detained juveniles in Malawi.

Ashagrie’s expertise led him to serve as an expert witness before the U.S. Congress. Ashagrie has also collaborated with international organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Commission, where he contributed shadow reports. Ashagrie has served as a long-term election observer in Kenya with the Carter Center and also worked as a research reviewer on human rights, rule of law, and democracy in Africa for Global Integrity Index.

Ashagrie holds a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University, a Master of Laws from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Addis Ababa University.

Terje Østebø

Professor Terje Østebø is Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Østebø is currently the Chair of the Department of Religion and a Professor at the Center for African Studies and the Department of Religion, University of Florida. He is also the founding director of the University of Florida Center for Global Islamic Studies. His research interests are Islam in contemporary Ethiopia, Islam, politics, and Islamic reformism in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, ethnicity and religion, as well as Salafism in Africa.

Østebø has lived in Ethiopia for 6 years, and has extensive field-research experience. His major publications include Islam, Ethnicity, and Conflict in Ethiopia: The Bale Insurgency (1963-1970); “African Salafism: Religious Purity and the Politicization of Purity” in Islamic Africa, 6, 1-2, 2015; Muslim Ethiopia: The Christian Legacy, Identity Politics, and Islamic Reformism (co-edited with Patrick Desplat); Localising Salafism: Religious Change among Oromo Muslims in Bale, Ethiopia; Islamism in the Horn of Africa: Assessing Ideology, Actors, and Objectives.

Østebø received his PhD in the History of Religion from Stockholm University and his Masters from the Norwegian School of Theology and the University of Bergen in theology and comparative politics.

Tigist Yeshiwas

Dr. Tigist Yeshiwas Engdaw is a Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Tigist has over 17 years of experience working in academia and international organizations, including the UN, focusing on human rights, peace and conflict studies, gender studies, and the prevention of violent extremism. She has served as an Assistant Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Institute of Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University, for over a decade. Her academic contributions include published books and articles, such as “Peace Education for Youth Violence Prevention in Africa” (2018) and “Peace Building Training Guide for Ethiopia” (2020).

For over a decade, Tigist has worked with the conflict prevention and recovery program of the UNDP (Eswatini), the peacebuilding and reconciliation program of the UNDP (Ethiopia), UN Women on the empowerment of women in conflict resolution processes, the African Union on election monitoring and observation, and IDEA (Stockholm and Nairobi) on the political empowerment of women. From 2019 to 2023, Tigist was a member of the High-Level Advisory Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Tigist is currently serving as a consultant to the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee and as an editor at the Journal of Global Peace and Security Studies.

Tigist holds a Ph.D. in Peace and Security Studies from Addis Ababa University, a Master in Gender and Peace Building from the University for Peace, Costa Rica, and a Bachelor of Laws from Addis Ababa University.

Adrianna Midamba

Adrianna Midamba is Senior Analyst and Project Manager at UPTeC. Adrianna is a seasoned project manager and policy advocate with extensive experience in supply chain management, sustainable development, data analytics, procurement, and logistics. Her expertise spans global health initiatives, international development, and corporate project management, with a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and contributing to significant outcomes.

Adrianna is highly regarded for her strategic thinking, leadership, and ability to drive impactful results in complex global projects. She has experience working in public and private sectors for several international organizations including the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program, the Gates Foundation-funded projects, Chemonics, Global Communities, Partnership for Supply Chain Management, Bloomberg, BNA, Washington Gas Light Company, and Broydrick & Associates.

Adrianna holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Howard University; a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kent State University; and an International Affairs Certificate from Georgetown University.

Simeneh Teklu

Simeneh Teklu is Senior Advisor and UPTeC’s country representative in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Simeneh is an accomplished attorney and consultant with over 25 years of experience specializing in business processes, court litigation, and legal advice. As a practicing lawyer with a Federal License in Ethiopia, Simeneh has advised and represented several business companies on business formation, mergers and acquisitions, investment support, contract negotiations, due diligence report, corporate social responsibility, and compliance for over two decades.

Prior to practicing law, Simeneh has served in many public institutions including at the National Bank of Ethiopia where he was a senior legal advisor responsible for preparing banking regulations and overseeing the implementation of financial regulations by local banks. Simeneh has also served as adjunct lecturer at Addis Ababa University and Saint Mary University in Ethiopia.

Simeneh holds LLB from Addis Ababa University School of Law, Master of Divinity from the African institute for international studies, and several certificates on business mediation, banking, insurance formation and regulation, and microfinance supervision.

Grace Adofoli

Grace Adofoli is Head of Project Management at UPTeC. Grace is an award-winning leader with over a decade of experience in leading strategic initiatives and managing multicultural teams across the country. Grace possesses a profound understanding of the international development landscape and excels in responsible project management, having impacted more than 40 countries across Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

Grace’s expertise in project management encompasses strategic navigation, impactful solutions, and financial stewardship. Grace designs and implements institutional solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness and sustainability while optimizing budgets for long-term growth. Dedicated to coaching and guiding current and future leaders, Grace promotes a collaborative “We” mindset, driving change and creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Grace holds Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, and Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Grace’s certifications include grant management; project management; and international development and social change.

Kumlachew Dagne

Kumlachew Dagne is a Senior Analyst and Strategic Manager at UPTeC. Kumlachew is a senior lawyer with hands-on expertise and experience in corporate law and policy. Kumlachew has provided international clients with high-quality legal advice and support on mergers and acquisitions, mining and energy, credit facility agreements, aviation law, employment law, charity law, and intellectual property law. He has acted as local counsel in multimillion-dollar merger and acquisition transactions, privatization deals, and credit facility packages in Ethiopia.

From 2019 to 2023, Kumlachew was ranked Band 2 by Chambers and Partners, which identifies and ranks top law firms in 190 countries worldwide. Chambers & Partners recognized Kumlachew as “a prominent business and human rights lawyer who also provides advice on investment, M&A, and privatization transactions, as well as associated regulatory issues.”

Kumlachew served as a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Advisory Council, a body of 13 prominent lawyers established by the Attorney General to advise on legal reform in Ethiopia, including the revision of CSO laws and commercial laws. He is one of the principal drafters of Ethiopia’s progressive civil society legislation and a member of the working group tasked with drafting Ethiopia’s Financial Services Code.

Kumlachew holds a Master of Laws from Michigan Law School and a Bachelor of Laws from Addis Ababa University School of Law.

Gil Long

Gil Long is a Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Gil has over two decades of experience in international development in Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. She is an experienced consultant, researcher, and trainer focusing on gender, civil society, and access to justice. Gil has worked for a number of major clients including the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the European Union.

Gil has managed large-scale projects and has specific skills in needs assessment, design of training, the writing and production of training materials, and the management of cascade training programs. Gil also has experience in conducting evaluation, impact assessment, and feasibility studies.

Gil has worked as a consultant for the End Child Marriage Program in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia; as a joint team leader on the Tracking Trends in Ethiopian Civil Society research project; as a consultant and editor for the Gender Strategy for the Ministry of Agriculture in Ethiopia and access to justice projects in Ethiopia and Malawi; as a gender consultant on a research project focusing on the economic development of the Ethiopian Lowlands; and as a consultant on the TradeMark East Africa gender strategy.

Gil holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from the University of Hull, a Master of Science degree in Applied Social Science from Glasgow Calednoian University, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Strathclyde.

Peter C. Obutte

Professor Peter C. Obutte is a Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Peter has over two decades of professional experience in research, teaching, and consultancy in Nigeria and Norway. Peter is currently serving as a professor of International Economic Law, and Energy Law and Policy at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Peter is also a Co-Investigator in the Center for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan, Nigeria where he serves as an expert in Energy Laws and Information and Communication Technology Laws in Nigeria. Peter was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999, as Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Peter has researched and published on multilevel regulatory governance and investments security in economies in transition, telecommunication law and regulations, energy laws, and tax laws in Nigeria.

Peter holds Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he won Professor C.S. Ola’s Prize for the best graduating student in Company Law and Taxation; Master of Laws degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Nigeria; Specialization Master of Laws and Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Oslo.

Addis D. Gebrehana

Addis D. Gebrehana is founding partner and Chief Accountant at UPTeC. Addis is a seasoned accounting and auditing professional with over 25 years of experience spanning financial accounting, public auditing, and eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL).

Addis is an XBRL consultant and operates an owner-managed accounting firm, delivering a comprehensive suite of accounting and tax services to businesses across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Earlier in his career, Addis had significant tenure in the UK, where he held roles such as Management Accountant and Finance Manager, further enriching his global perspective on financial management. Addis had also gained valuable experience in Ethiopia as a Marketing Officer, Retail Territory Manager, and Auditor.

Addis holds an MBA for Accounting Professionals from Maharishi International University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Administration from Addis Ababa University. Addis is a Chartered Certified Account with training in SAP FICO, SAP S/4 HANA Financial modules.

Dunia Mekonnen

Dunia Mekonnen Tegegn is a Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Dunia is a highly experienced human rights lawyer with over 17 years of experience working with international institutions and academia. Dunia is currently a Co-Leader of the International Civil Society Working Group for the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

Over the years, Dunia has served as a Human Rights Officer for the Eastern Africa Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a Program Officer with UN Women, and a Child Protection Expert with UNICEF. She is an alumna of the Penn Kemble Forum on Democracy at the National Endowment for Democracy. Dunia has also worked for the American Bar Association’s Center for Human Rights and Amnesty International USA.

Dunia has published on various topics including gender based violence, access to information, internet freedom, and civil society regulations. She also serves as an expert contributor to the World Bank Group’s Women, Business, and the law report. Dunia is a regular commentator on human rights issues on BBC World Service, Voice of America, and EBS TV worldwide.

Dunia holds a Master of Laws in U.S. National Security Law from Georgetown University, a Master of Arts in Human Rights from Addis Ababa University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Bahir Dar University. She has also earned several certificates, including an Advanced Certificate in Social Work, a Certificate in Advanced Humanitarian Law and Policy, and a Certificate in Project Management. Dunia is currently a candidate for the New York Bar.

Yosalem Negus

Yosalem Negus is a Senior Analyst at UPTeC with a broad range of professional experience in teaching, research, and consultancy. She served as a tenured faculty member at Addis Ababa University School of Law, where she directed the International Humanitarian Law Clinic and lectured on international human rights, humanitarian law, and environmental law.

Yosalem has also worked as a National Consultant for UN Women and has been actively engaged with various grassroots human rights organizations and civil society groups in Ethiopia, including the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association, and the Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations. She was awarded the New York University Law School Post-Graduate Fellowship and joined UPTeC after working at a leading non-profit civil legal services organization in NYC, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).

Yosalem holds a Master of Laws degree from NYU School of Law, where she was a member of the Global Justice Clinic and served as a Graduate Editor for the NYU Journal of International Law and Politics. She also holds an LLM in Human Rights Law and a Bachelor of Laws from Addis Ababa University, where she graduated with the highest academic honor.

Getahun Adane

Getahun Adane is a Senior Analyst at UPTeC. He is a health policy specialist with extensive experience in monitoring and evaluating healthcare systems, outcomes, and efficiency. As a Monitoring and Evaluation consultant at Essential Partners in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he assisted with several projects that supported data-driven decisions and contributed to achieving high data analysis accuracy.

Getahun has previously worked as a Case Manager and Instructor for the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) in Boston, Massachusetts. He has also held research positions at the Heller School of the Brandeis University and Hawassa University in Ethiopia, where he conducted successful research on waxy sorghum cultivars under the Feed the Future Initiative.

Getahun holds dual Master of Science degrees in Global Health Policy and Management & Sustainable Development from Brandeis University with a focus on Health Economics and Data Analytics, Master of Science degree in Food and Post- Harvest Technology from Hawassa University, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemistry from Addis Ababa University.

Zelalem Bekele

Zelalemn Bekele is Senior Analyst at UPTeC. Zelalem is a senior economist with more than two decades of experience in the Ethiopian financial and banking sectors, with particular expertise in business intelligence, fund management, and international banking. Zelalem has served in numerous financial institutions including at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, where he played a key role in enhancing the bank’s foreign currency management and international transactions.

Zelalem has led financial and banking research teams in Ethiopia and conducted several training sessions on international banking practices. He has previously supervised the year-long Rural Household Survey Project, led by the Center for the Study of African Economies at the University of Oxford. His responsibilities included overseeing field-level data collection, supervising research quality and monthly reports, and managing project staff.

Zelalem holds Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Masters in Business Administration from Addis Ababa University. He is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Development Economics. Zelalem has also obtained several certificates in business intelligence, trade finance, financial markets and security analysis, and international banking operations.

Kalkidan Tsegaye

Kalkidan Tsegaye is Associate at UPTeC. Kalkidan is an accomplished legal and IT professional with over five years of experience in research and advice in public law, IT programming and data analysis. Kalkidan has served as a legal analyst at Smart Management Services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where she provided legal advice on regulatory laws and compliance, and supported litigation. Kalkidan is currently serving as API developer where she plays key role in the integration of various systems and efficient delivery through automation and best practices. Kalkidan holds Bachelor in Laws from Hawassa University in Ethiopia. Kalkidan is a Mulesoft certified developer at levels 3 and 4.

Deksiyos Demissie

Deksiyos Demissie is an Advisor at UPTeC. Deksiyos has three years work experience as a software and business analyst. He is part of the IT team at UPTeC with responsibilities in administrative and IT support for projects. Deksiyos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from the University of Maryland.

Kerubel E. Kebede

Kerubel E. Kebede is an IT Analyst at UPTeC. Kerubel is an expert in data science with focus on database design, SQL, and Python. Kerubel has led impactful projects, such as the Maryland Railway System database design and Water Supply Quality data analysis, where he gained hands-on experience in optimizing performance and efficiency through data.

Kerubel is in the last phase of his undergraduate studies in information technology at Western Governors University. Kerubel holds certifications in cloud computing and IT service management such as AWS Cloud Practitioner, CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (CIOS), Network +, and ITIL Foundation.

Meet Our Team