Meet the Team
Dr. M. A. Nurhussein is a highly respected physician, educator, and human rights advocate with decades of service in both the medical profession and community leadership. He currently serves as the President of Wogahta, bringing to the organization a wealth of experience, global vision, and an unshakable commitment to justice and equity. He is also the National Chairman of the United African Congress, a prominent organization dedicated to representing the interests of African immigrants in the United States and promoting development in Africa. He served as Chief of Geriatrics at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he retired as Associate Professor of Medicine Emeritus after a long and impactful academic and clinical career. He then also served in the task force of the NY chapter of Physicians for Hyman Rights (PHR) in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. This campaign earned PHR the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. In addition to his medical and academic work, Dr. Nurhussein plays a key role in major diaspora-led healthcare initiatives. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Ethio-American Doctors Group (EADG), a consortium of over 350 Ethiopian physicians across the U.S. and Canada. The group is spearheading the development of a state-of-the-art, internationally accredited $100 million hospital in Addis Ababa, to transform Ethiopia’s healthcare landscape. His advocacy extends beyond healthcare. He is a Board Member of Brooklyn for Peace, an organization committed to promoting peace and social justice, and an active member of Physicians for Human Rights, where he amplifies the voices of vulnerable populations affected by war and systemic violence. As President of Wogahta, Dr. Nurhussein provides visionary leadership, strategic guidance, and moral clarity. His lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes and community service makes him a powerful champion for Wogahta’s mission to heal, empower, and uplift the women and girls of Tigray and beyond.
Vice President
Elias Hagos brings more than 30 years of distinguished experience in public service, including an extensive leadership career with the Social Security Administration (SSA). His professional journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to public welfare, administrative excellence, and community impact. During his decades-long tenure in the federal government, Elias held a range of progressively responsible positions, including Social Insurance Specialist, Technical Expert, Area Systems Coordinator, Operations Supervisor, Management Program Analyst, and Assistant District Manager. For over 15 years, he served as a District Manager, overseeing large teams, complex operations, and delivering essential services to tens of thousands of constituents. His leadership was marked by innovation, equity, and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations with dignity and efficiency. Elias holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Human Resources Management and International Marketing, equipping him with a global perspective on organizational development, strategic planning, and outreach. Now serving as Vice President of Wogahta, Elias channels his lifelong dedication to public service into humanitarian advocacy, helping lead programs that empower, and uplift women and girls affected by war in Tigray. His leadership ensures that Wogahta remains rooted in transparency, accountability, and transformational change.
Aziza Tikue is a dedicated Board Member of Wogahta, bringing to the organization a powerful blend of professional leadership, compassionate care, and an unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment. With over a decade of experience as a Lead Supervisor at a prominent home health aide agency, Aziza has refined exceptional skills in team management, staff development, and client-centered service delivery. Her work in this sector has not only provided critical support to vulnerable populations but has also deepened her passion for empowering women, both in the workforce and within their communities. Aziza’s leadership is characterized by integrity, empathy, and a profound conviction in the transformative power of service. At Wogahta, she actively supports the development and implementation of initiatives that promote healing, resilience, and economic independence for women and girls affected by war and displacement. In addition to her professional and board roles, Aziza is a tireless advocate for equity and dignity, helping to build bridges between community-based solutions and sustainable development. Her commitment, insight, and collaborative spirit continue to make her a driving force in Wogahta’s mission to create lasting change.
Treasurer
Hussen Ibrahim is a proud Tigrian-American, born and raised in the United States, with a deep commitment to humanitarian service and financial accountability. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and brings nearly a decade of professional experience in the commercial real estate development and nonprofit sectors. Over the course of his career, Hussen has cultivated a strong foundation in budgeting, accounting, financial analysis, and nonprofit management, with a particular focus on driving sustainable development and community impact. His expertise spans across project financing, organizational compliance, and the effective allocation of resources to ensure mission-driven outcomes. As Treasurer of Wogahta, Hussen plays a critical leadership role in overseeing the organization’s financial health, transparency, and strategic sustainability. His responsibilities include managing the annual budget, preparing and presenting financial reports, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advising the Board of Directors on key financial matters. His careful stewardship ensures that every dollar entrusted to Wogahta is used effectively to advance its mission to heal and empower women survivors of war and sexual violence in Tigray. Hussen’s blend of technical expertise and heartfelt dedication makes him an invaluable member of the WOGAHTA leadership team. His work ensures that the organization not only remains fiscally sound but also continues to expand its reach and impact where it is needed most.
Zahra Ademnur
Regional Director
Zahra Ademnur is a seasoned agricultural expert and humanitarian with more than 36 years of service in Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture. She holds a Master’s degree in Rural Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Production and Protection, both from Mekelle University. Her professional career has been dedicated to advancing Ethiopia’s agricultural sector across multiple regions and districts. From her early years as a Coffee Development Expert and Supervisor (1982–1992) to her leadership as a Crop Production and Protection Senior Expert (1992–2003) and Seed Quality Control Senior Expert (2003–2008), Zahra played a central role in improving food production systems. From 2008 to 2021, she served as Head of the Seed Regulatory Department, overseeing national efforts to ensure quality standards, strengthen food security, and build sustainable agricultural practices. Since retiring in 2021, Zahra has turned her lifelong commitment to community development toward social service and humanitarian initiatives, with a special focus on supporting vulnerable populations. As a Regional Director of Wogahta, she brings not only technical expertise but also deep compassion and lived experience in grassroots development. Her leadership strengthens the organization’s mission to empower women and girls in Tigray through sustainable livelihood programs and community resilience.
Director
Meseret Gebru is an accomplished IT professional and iOS app developer with more than two decades of experience in software engineering, systems analysis, and programming. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Poona University in India and is a graduate of the prestigious Google-funded iOS Development Fellowship (2018), a highly competitive program with only a 9% acceptance rate. Her career includes leadership roles at Barclays Investment Bank in New York, where she has contributed to building and deploying mobile features in a global financial environment, and at High Tech Park in Addis Ababa, where she developed Oracle-based retail banking systems and financial accounting platforms. She has extensive expertise across multiple programming languages, mobile platforms, and database systems, bringing both technical innovation and collaborative leadership to every project. Meseret’s commitment extends beyond the tech world. As a Board Member of Wogahta, she contributes her skills in innovation, problem-solving, and project management to advance programs that empower women and girls affected by war in Tigray. Her professional excellence, combined with her passion for humanitarian service, strengthens Wogahta’s mission of building resilience, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for survivors.
Director
Dr. Desta Beyene is a distinguished research scientist whose career spans both agricultural research in Ethiopia and biomedical research in the United States. His lifelong commitment to advancing science for the betterment of communities reflects Wogahta’s core values of empowerment, innovation, and service. In Ethiopia, Dr. Desta served as Director of the Holetta Agricultural Research Center and as Head of the Natural Resources Division at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR). In these roles, he provided visionary leadership and was the principal investigator of numerous research projects funded by international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). His work significantly strengthened food security and improved natural resource management, directly impacting rural livelihoods. He also organized and coordinated multiple national and international research conferences, creating platforms for knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Following his tenure in Ethiopia, Dr. Desta advanced his career internationally as a Fulbright Fellow at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Maryland and later as a senior researcher at Howard University. His groundbreaking studies in microbiology and cancer biology led to two major contributions: the identification of efficient rhizobium strains to enhance agricultural productivity, and the discovery of protein markers crucial for the early detection of breast and prostate cancer in African American populations. Dr. Desta has published extensively in both agricultural and biomedical sciences, leaving a lasting impact across disciplines. Even in retirement, he remains committed to leveraging science for community benefit, bridging the gap between research and real-world solutions. As a Board Member of Wogahta, Dr. Desta brings unmatched expertise in research, innovation, and global collaboration, helping to guide the organization’s mission of healing and empowering women survivors of war in Tigray through sustainable, evidence-based initiatives.
Director
Getachew Zerihun is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in engineering, community service, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian advocacy. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University at Buffalo, where he developed a strong foundation in innovative problem-solving and technology systems. His early career began at Lucent Technologies, where he served as a Lab Manager in the Fiber Optics Department. He later worked as a private contractor, specializing in network infrastructure installation, before transitioning to the humanitarian field with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a Refugee Assistant, helping displaced individuals navigate resettlement challenges. For the past 13 years, Getachew has owned and successfully managed one of New Jersey’s busiest and most beloved Ethiopian restaurants. Through his restaurant, he has created not only a thriving business but also a vibrant cultural hub for the Ethiopian diaspora and wider community. Beyond his professional achievements, he is recognized as one of the most dedicated and generous donors supporting the Tigray cause. His commitment to humanitarian work is reflected not only in his philanthropy but also in his leadership. He actively serves on the boards of several community organizations, contributing his time, expertise, and resources to initiatives that empower and uplift vulnerable populations.
Director
Mike Mesfin is a highly experienced telecommunications professional with over 30 years of expertise in building, maintaining, and leading advanced communications networks across the United States. He holds an Associate of Arts in Electronic Technology from Bronx Community College and a Computer Technology Diploma from the Chubb Institute. Throughout his career, he has held key technical and leadership positions at major companies, including Motorola Solutions, Ericsson Inc., Sprint Nextel, and Nextel Communications. In these roles, he supervised teams of technicians, trained staff in troubleshooting and installation. He led projects to improve the performance of large-scale wireless networks for clients such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular. His expertise spans network integration, quality assurance, team leadership, and technical training. Beyond his professional achievements, Mike is a committed community member and generous supporter of humanitarian causes. As a Board Member of Wogahta, he brings not only deep technical knowledge but also a passion for empowering others through service, training, and sustainable development. His leadership and dedication strengthen Wogahta’s mission to heal and uplift women and girls affected by conflict in Tigray.