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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)

Kati Cardea

Coming Soon

Kati Cardea

Coming Soon

Kati Cardea

Treasurer
(Senior Finance Leader, Amazon)

Teferi Abate Adem

Teferi Abate Adem holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology (Boston University 2000), M.A. in Social Anthropology (Addis Ababa University, 1993), and B.A. in Sociology (Addis Ababa University, 1987). In addition to working on eHRAF World Cultures, Teferi has been involved in HRAF’s multi-year cooperative project with George Mason University on modeling pastoral conflicts in Eastern Africa. Prior to joining HRAF, he was a visiting professor of international development and social change (IDSC) at Clark University, a postdoctoral fellow at the Program in Agrarian Studies (Yale University) and Assistant Professor at Addis Ababa University where he served as Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Dr. Teferi Abate Adem

Teferi Abate Adem holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology (Boston University 2000), M.A. in Social Anthropology (Addis Ababa University, 1993), and B.A. in Sociology (Addis Ababa University, 1987). In addition to working on eHRAF World Cultures, Teferi has been involved in HRAF’s multi-year cooperative project with George Mason University on modeling pastoral conflicts in Eastern Africa. Prior to joining HRAF, he was a visiting professor of international development and social change (IDSC) at Clark University, a postdoctoral fellow at the Program in Agrarian Studies (Yale University) and Assistant Professor at Addis Ababa University where he served as Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. https://hraf.yale.edu/about/staff/teferi-abate-adem/

Dr. Teferi Abate Adem

Board Member
(Research Anthropologist, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Program in Agrarian Studies, Yale University - New Haven, CT)

Eyoel Asfaw

Eyoel is an experienced Software Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry and a passion for making a positive impact. Skilled in Java, Python, Analytical Skills, HTML, and Software Development with demonstrated skills in leadership and team building. Eyoel is a strong engineering professional with a Master of Science (MS) focused in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Eyoel Asfaw

Coming Soon

Eyoel Asfaw

Board Member
(Sr Engineer, Amazon)

Tizita Assefa

Coming Soon

Tizita Assefa

Tizita has 20 years experience working as a community builder in multiple capacities for a wide range of organizations in the US, Belize, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. Bringing people together through shared passions; gathering to expand our understanding of Self and community; building bridges across barriers and valuing the leader in each one of us. Among the diversity of tools she tailors to meet client needs, with social justice and equity among her core values are technology, languages, food (gardening, cooking), dance, performance art, culture, sports, media, storytelling.

Tizita Assefa

Board Member
(Founder, Tizita Assefa Consulting)

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).

Hanan Ibrahim

Coming Soon

Andrea Mayner

Coming Soon

Hanan Ibrahim

Board Member
(Software Engineer, Microsoft)

Jennifer Mazukelli

Jennifer Mazukelli was born in Seattle, WA and has resided in Covington for more than 40 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Teacher Certificate from Central Washington University in 1993 followed by a master’s in education with a technology emphasis from City University in 1996. She is currently a teacher and instructional coach at Kentlake High School. She has enjoyed working with other teachers to improve teaching practices so that all students can learn math. She has two teenage daughters and multiple cats and dogs. She enjoys vacationing with her daughters, reading, taking a ballet class and spending time with family and friends.

Jennifer Mazukelli

Jennifer Mazukelli was born in Seattle, WA and has resided in Covington for more than 40 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Teacher Certificate from Central Washington University in 1993 followed by a master’s in education with a technology emphasis from City University in 1996. She is currently a teacher and instructional coach at Kentlake High School. She has enjoyed working with other teachers to improve teaching practices so that all students can learn math. She has two teenage daughters and multiple cats and dogs. She enjoys vacationing with her daughters, reading, taking a ballet class and spending time with family and friends.

Jennifer Mazukelli

Board Member
(Long-time Math Teacher and Teachers’ Coach at Kentlake High School, Covington, WA)

Dr. Tadesse Kassie Melesse

Dr. Tadesse Kassie Melesse holds a BSc in Environmental Health from Jimma University, Ethiopia, an Associate Degree in General Science from Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria and is a Doctor of Pharmacy from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Erie, PA. He is currently a staff pharmacist for Walgreens in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. Dr. Melesse considers this invitation as an opportunity to give back and feels it’s an honor to contribute whatever he can for his community. 

Dr. Tadesse Kassie Melesse

Dr. Tadesse Kassie Melesse holds a BSc in Environmental Health from Jimma University, Ethiopia, an Associate Degree in General Science from Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria and is a Doctor of Pharmacy from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Erie, PA. He is currently a staff pharmacist for Walgreens in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. Dr. Melesse considers this invitation as an opportunity to give back and feels it’s an honor to contribute whatever he can for his community. 

Dr. Tadesse Kassie Melesse

Board Member
(Staff Pharmacist, Walgreens Tri-Cities, WA)

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)

Angel Shimelish

Coming Soon

Tigist Regassa

Coming Soon

Tigist Regassa

Coming Soon

Tigist Regassa

Board Nominee
(Entrepreneur and Language/Culture Ambassador. Longtime promoter of OHBD and our RSG books)

Angel Shimelish

Coming Soon

Yenenesh Shewaneh

Coming Soon

Christine Menges

Coming Soon

Yenenesh Shewaneh

Board Nominee
(Data Scientist, providing consulting support for CS Boot Camp and working with RSG Book team)

Angel Shimelish

Coming Soon

Angel Shmielish

Coming Soon

Angel Shimelish

Board Member
(Senior Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft)

Tammy Steele

Coming Soon

Tammy Steele

Coming Soon

Tammy Steele

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

Bethelehem Tsegaye

Coming Soon

Bethelehem Tsegaye

Coming Soon

Bethelehem Tsegaye

Board Member
(Co-Owner at Kite Personal Concierge) (Delaware)

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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