Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Ellenore Angelidis

Ellenore Angelidis is the founder of OHBD Fund and the Board President. As a 10+ year employee of Amazon, she has been part of the recent period of growth. Ellenore is currently serving as Director Kindle Content Risk management. Previously, she worked for Amazon in Seattle, Luxembourg, and Paris – and is passionate about bringing change and forward momentum. Prior to Amazon, she received her legal start at the Chicago firm of Baker & McKenzie, then went on to manage complex litigation including regulatory and government matters, public relations and crisis management, as well as supported strategic sourcing for Sears, in Chicago Illinois.

At home, Ellenore has a partner of 20+ years and 3 children, ranging in age from college to elementary school, plus a dog and a parrot. As a volunteer, Ellenore has held board and fund-raising positions with the not for profits WACAP and Ethiopia Reads. Ellenore is also published writer; on blogs (Ethiopian Ties and Balancing Career Family), and on-line magazines (Working Mother, Adoptive Families, InCulture Parent, and Women’s Essense).

Ellenore Angelidis

Ellenore Angelidis is the founder of OHBD Fund and the Board President. As a 10+ year employee of Amazon, she has been part of the recent period of growth. Ellenore is currently serving as Director Kindle Content Risk management. Previously, she worked for Amazon in Seattle, Luxembourg, and Paris – and is passionate about bringing change and forward momentum. Prior to Amazon, she received her legal start at the Chicago firm of Baker & McKenzie, then went on to manage complex litigation including regulatory and government matters, public relations and crisis management, as well as supported strategic sourcing for Sears, in Chicago Illinois.

At home, Ellenore has a partner of 20+ years and 3 children, ranging in age from college to elementary school, plus a dog and a parrot. As a volunteer, Ellenore has held board and fund-raising positions with the not for profits WACAP and Ethiopia Reads. Ellenore is also published writer; on blogs (Ethiopian Ties and Balancing Career Family), and on-line magazines (Working Mother, Adoptive Families, InCulture Parent, and Women’s Essense).

Ellenore Angelidis

Board President
(Former long-time Amazon Director)

Christine Menges

Coming Soon

Christine Menges

Coming Soon

Christine Menges

Secretary
(Senior Paralegal, Nintendo)

Kati Cardea

Coming Soon

Kati Cardea

Coming Soon

Kati Cardea

Treasurer
(Senior Finance Leader, Amazon)

Assaye Abunie

Assaye Abunie is Director and founder of Multimedia Resources and Training Institute (MMRTI), Program Manager and producer of Ethio Youth media TV on public access Television on Cable Channel 77 and owner of Ethio Digital & IT Services (EDITS). He manages the Multimedia Resources and Training Institute (MMRTI), which provides youth and immigrant communities with multimedia training and public access television programming experiences through course instruction and weekly production of Ethio Youth Media TV (www.eymtv.org) in the last 12 years.

Assaye successfully completed multi-media projects for a wide variety of businesses and non-profits organizations. He has extensive experience managing technology education programs, preparing curricula, and hiring instructors. He also organized community wide educational seminars, conferences, college fairs, workshops, and cultural celebrations. He promoted and provided technical support for many non–profit organizations who are serving Ethiopians kids in Ethiopia. He has won a commendation from top community leaders and also received awards from community organizations, including from three City of Seattle Mayors. Assaye holds B.S. in Computer Information Systems (1994) at San Francisco State University in California.

“ I am very happy to be a part of Open Hearts Big Dream Funds. It is a great opportunity not only for Ethiopian youth who are in need of support but it is also a bridge to those of us who are trying to establish and connect youth in Seattle to their home land through the means of cultural Summer study program as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) programs.”

Assaye Abunie

Assaye Abunie is Director and founder of Multimedia Resources and Training Institute (MMRTI), Program Manager and producer of Ethio Youth media TV on public access Television on Cable Channel 77 and owner of Ethio Digital & IT Services (EDITS). He manages the Multimedia Resources and Training Institute (MMRTI), which provides youth and immigrant communities with multimedia training and public access television programming experiences through course instruction and weekly production of Ethio Youth Media TV (www.eymtv.org) in the last 12 years.

Assaye successfully completed multi-media projects for a wide variety of businesses and non-profits organizations. He has extensive experience managing technology education programs, preparing curricula, and hiring instructors. He also organized community wide educational seminars, conferences, college fairs, workshops, and cultural celebrations. He promoted and provided technical support for many non–profit organizations who are serving Ethiopians kids in Ethiopia. He has won a commendation from top community leaders and also received awards from community organizations, including from three City of Seattle Mayors. Assaye holds B.S. in Computer Information Systems (1994) at San Francisco State University in California.

“ I am very happy to be a part of Open Hearts Big Dream Funds. It is a great opportunity not only for Ethiopian youth who are in need of support but it is also a bridge to those of us who are trying to establish and connect youth in Seattle to their home land through the means of cultural Summer study program as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) programs.”

Assaye Abunie

Board Member
(Executive Director & Founder Multi-Media Resources and Training, Program Manager & Producer, Ethio Youth Media, Owner Ethio Digital & IT Services)

Eyoel Asfaw

Coming Soon

Eyoel Asfaw

Coming Soon

Eyoel Asfaw

Board Member
(Founder of Addis Scarves, Software Engineer, Amazon)

Tizita Assefa

Coming Soon

Tizita Assefa

Coming Soon

Tizita Assefa

Board Member
(Events Coordinator; Solid Ground).

Amy Bates

Coming Soon

Amy Bates

Coming Soon

Amy Bates

Board Member
(Experienced Product and Operations Leader).

Rajitha Boer

Rajitha Boer founded Yerra Solutions in 2013 after nearly two decades of experience working with the legal and IP departments of major international corporations. She started the company with the belief that there is more to consulting services than template-based solutions and billable hours and that a company can prosper while creating a positive impact on its clients, employees and communities. Rajitha has provided dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies with expertise related to defining and executing technology and operational strategies and comes highly recommended by some of the largest organizations in the world.

The company began in 2013 with her and a single client and now employs over 150 people on three continents working in the areas of legal, eDiscovery and intellectual property.

Rajitha holds a Master of Business Administration Degree in Information Systems and Financial Management and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems. She is the recipient of a Finance Monthly CEO Award and was named 2016 UK Gamechanger of the Year by ACQ (Acquisition Finance) Magazine.

Rajitha Boer

Rajitha Boer founded Yerra Solutions in 2013 after nearly two decades of experience working with the legal and IP departments of major international corporations. She started the company with the belief that there is more to consulting services than template-based solutions and billable hours and that a company can prosper while creating a positive impact on its clients, employees and communities. Rajitha has provided dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies with expertise related to defining and executing technology and operational strategies and comes highly recommended by some of the largest organizations in the world.

The company began in 2013 with her and a single client and now employs over 150 people on three continents working in the areas of legal, eDiscovery and intellectual property.

Rajitha holds a Master of Business Administration Degree in Information Systems and Financial Management and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems. She is the recipient of a Finance Monthly CEO Award and was named 2016 UK Gamechanger of the Year by ACQ (Acquisition Finance) Magazine.

Rajitha Boer

Board Member
(Founder, President and CEO Yerra Solutions) (Switzerland)

John Clements

I enthusiastically accepted the invitation to join Open Hearts Big Dreams.  For the past several years Sharon and I have seen the energy behind the annual OHBD fundraising auction and I was  excited to see the where the organization could go in the future.  Through family, friends and travel we have been able see how small investments can have such a big impact on lives of individuals and communities.

John Clements

I enthusiastically accepted the invitation to join Open Hearts Big Dreams.  For the past several years Sharon and I have seen the energy behind the annual OHBD fundraising auction and I was  excited to see the where the organization could go in the future.  Through family, friends and travel we have been able see how small investments can have such a big impact on lives of individuals and communities.

John Clements

Board Member
(Partner, Pacific Northwest Risk Assurance Leader at PwC).

Pazion Cherinet

Coming Soon

Pazion CHerinet

Coming Soon

Pazion Cherinet

Board Member
(Founder at Orbit Health Solutions).

Sharad Gupta

Sharad Gupta is a business management professional and currently holds the position of Technical Advisor/ Chief of Staff for a Vice President at Amazon. He started his career in management consulting, moved on to leading a tech start-up venture and has been working at Amazon since 2012. Over the years he has gained experience in different business functions- strategy, operations and product management. He earned a Bachelors and Masters in India and a MBA from University of Michigan. In his free time he enjoys playing golf and reading.

Sharad Gupta

Sharad Gupta is a business management professional and currently holds the position of Technical Advisor/ Chief of Staff for a Vice President at Amazon. He started his career in management consulting, moved on to leading a tech start-up venture and has been working at Amazon since 2012. Over the years he has gained experience in different business functions- strategy, operations and product management. He earned a Bachelors and Masters in India and a MBA from University of Michigan. In his free time he enjoys playing golf and reading.

Sharad Gupta

Board Nominee
(Senior Product Manager, Amazon Business at Amazon.com)

Asfaha Lemlem

Coming Soon

Asfaha Lemlem

Coming Soon

Asfaha Lemlem

Board Member
(Learning Center director at Associated Recreation Council)

Andrea Mayner

Coming Soon

Andrea Mayner

Coming Soon

Andrea Mayner

Board Member
(Founder of Mayner Business Law)

Sultan Mohammed

Sultan Mohameed was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and have resided in Seattle, WA since 1982. He received his B.F.A. from the University of Washington in 1991, and a Teaching Certificate from Western Washington University in 1994. He is currently teaching art for the Seattle Public School District at Asa Mercer Middle School. He is also the founder of SEED(South East Effective Development Seattle)).

“As an Educator, I am interested in supporting organizations that promote education and literacy here in our community and abroad. I believe that Open Hearts Big Dream Funds is paving the path towards these efforts.”

Sultan Mohammed

Sultan Mohameed was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and have resided in Seattle, WA since 1982. He received his B.F.A. from the University of Washington in 1991, and a Teaching Certificate from Western Washington University in 1994. He is currently teaching art for the Seattle Public School District at Asa Mercer Middle School. He is also the founder of SEED(South East Effective Development Seattle)).

“As an Educator, I am interested in supporting organizations that promote education and literacy here in our community and abroad. I believe that Open Hearts Big Dream Funds is paving the path towards these efforts.”

Sultan Mohammed

Board Member
(Artist, Seattle Public Schools Teacher (Art and US History 5th-8th Grade) and Founder of SEED (South East Effective Development Seattle)

Tammy Steele

Coming Soon

Tammy Steele

Coming Soon

Tammy Steele

Board Member
(Founder and CEO, Fully Present Living, Communications Director, Step Up Technology)

Kara Wiegand

Coming Soon

Kara Wiegand

Coming Soon

Kara Wiegand

Board Member
(Founder & COO | Threads Worldwide, Huff Post Contributor, and Director for Strategic Partnerships for Emerging Women) (Denver)

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