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EriPMN

EriPMN  is led and supported by a group of highly experienced professionals who chose to dedicate a portion of their time to work as volunteer to help others within their community. Members believe that we should all mobilize and organize ourselves to help our communities and thereby create conducive platforms for channeling funding and services to those who need it.

Coordinating Committee

Most of the members of the Coordinating Committee are also the founding members of EriPMN and shoulder the responsibilities of defining policies and also carrying out the day to day operations of the network, until funding is secured to hire staff

Efrem held senior executive and leadership roles at RBC, contributing to Agile, DevOps, and automation initiatives. Prior to this, he was Vice President of Agile Solutions Enablement and Transformation Services at RBC. Before joining RBC, he founded ACIS Consulting Inc., a Toronto-based firm focused on enterprise search solutions, including its cloud-based service, CloudSearchPortal.com.

Hermon Berhe

Vice Chair

Hermon is an Immigration Consultant. She runs her own practice as the owner of Hermony Immigration Services. She also has 15 years experience in the Investment industry: trading in Stocks, Derivatives, and Mutual Funds. She loves advocating for her clients. Hermon concurrently spends an equal amount of time volunteering in various roles for causes she is passionate about.

Abiel Tesfit

Treasurer

With over 16 years at CIBC Wealth Management, this professional has held diverse roles, including Manager, QA/BA/Product Management, and most recently Scrum Master since March 2024. His experience spans from managing wealth technology projects to equity, option & fixed-income trading, showcasing a comprehensive skill set across financial services and technology within CIBC.

Gideon Ghebreyohannes

Director, Corporate Relations

Gideon is the Principal at Tarra Engineering and Structural Consultants Inc., recognized for his expertise in research, strategy, and project management. With a strong engineering background and leadership skills, he effectively oversees teams to deliver complex projects. Proficient in data analysis and communication, Gideon combines technical insight with strategic planning for business growth

Medhanie Tekeste

Director, Fundraising

As the Chief Information Officer of a global pharmaceutical company, Medhanie has over 11 years of experience leading IT services and operations transformation across various regions. A certified ITIL expert and advocate for DevOps and Agile frameworks, he focuses on delivering value and innovation. His achievements include building and managing centers of excellence for application and infrastructure, developing shared services models and governance, and implementing ITIL, Quality, and Compliance standards. Medhanie is dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture and mentoring his team to create an adaptive IT organization that drives growth and transformation

Helen Tewolde

Director, Fundraising

Helen is the Director of Access Strategy & Partnerships at the University of Toronto, where she develops initiatives to enhance educational access. Previously, she was the Director of Policy and Programs at The Law Foundation of Ontario, implementing granting activities to improve access to justice. She also served as a Senior Researcher at the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario and as a Community Development Officer for the City of Toronto, coordinating partnerships to support underrepresented groups. Additionally, she is a DiverseCity Fellow and has engaged with the United Nations Association of Canada, showcasing her commitment to social equity and community development.

Bisrat Brown

Director, Events

Bisrat is the Director of Business Development at Telus Health Solutions, where she has been leading strategic initiatives for over two years. Prior to this role, she spent over three years at Medavie Blue Cross, first as an Account Executive for Optional Benefits and then as a Senior Account Associate, where she honed her skills in communication and problem-solving. Her extensive experience in business development and client solutions showcases her ability to drive growth and enhance client relationships in the health services sector

Bersabel Ogbazghi

Event Coordinator, Marketing

Bersabel Ogbazghi, our Marketing Management graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is passionate about creating impactful marketing and event experiences that foster connections with diverse audiences. She has experience as a Communications Assistant at Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC), where she managed content calendars and developed social media strategies. As Executive Vice President of the TMU Black Business Student Association, she led the launch of a mentorship program and organized successful events. Her leadership and volunteer efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to driving positive change and making a lasting impact in professional and community spheres.

Haile Ghebrat

Director, Outreach

Haile is a Senior Field Medical Officer with over 21 years of experience in the insurance sector, based in Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Toronto, where he also served as the Chairman of the Eritrean Students Association. His extensive experience and leadership skills reflect his commitment to excellence in his field

Henok Russom

Director, Outreach

Henok is a motivated Information Technology (IT) expert specializing in data security and privacy. He is a candidate for an LLM in Privacy and Cybersecurity Law and holds an MBA and PMP certification. With several years of experience leading technical teams and managing multi-million-dollar projects across various industries and the public sector, he excels in collaborating with stakeholders to deliver results that align with strategic objectives. Henok effectively manages teams while maintaining a strong commitment to achieving successful outcomes

Advisory Board

Members of this group are high level professionals who have offered to meet periodically to offer guidance and suggestions for improvement. They also help extend EriPMN reach through their own connections

Dr. Abdullahi Berih is an accomplished family medicine physician with a deep commitment to advancing patient-centered care and preventative health initiatives. With extensive experience in holistic health management, Dr. Berih’s expertise spans diverse healthcare needs, making him a valuable asset in advising on wellness-driven strategies. His insights into patient education and community health bring a strategic perspective to our Advisory Board, enhancing our mission to support impactful mentorship programs and drive lasting community well-being.

Kibreab is an accomplished Vice President of Product Strategy and Solutions Engineering, known for his exceptional leadership in managing cross-functional engineering teams and delivering complex projects. His expertise includes Systems Engineering, Product Management, and developing comprehensive software and hardware solutions.

With 35 years of experience in the technology sector, Kibreab is a dynamic leader with strong engineering foundations. He is passionate about aligning technology with business objectives. He has a proven track record of transforming complex challenges into actionable strategies and delivering innovative, scalable solutions that drive organizational success

Amine is an accomplished Engineering Technology Manager at Siemens Canada with nearly 30 years of expertise in control systems across diverse sectors, including industrial, marine, and mining applications. His career is marked by a commitment to advancing automation and control technology, delivering impactful solutions in complex engineering environments.

Senai Iman is an accomplished lawyer and sole practitioner based in Toronto, boasting over eight years of experience in the legal field. . He has held key positions as a legal consultant at Deloitte Canada and an articling student with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. With a JD from the University of Ottawa, Senai is dedicated to providing innovative legal solutions that align with strategic client goals, making him a valuable asset for potential investments and funding opportunities.

Mahari is a highly experienced Senior Project Manager at Studio Munge with over 20 years of expertise in overseeing complex, high-profile design projects. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and strategic project planning, he excels in managing timelines, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless project execution. Mahari’s leadership has been pivotal in delivering Studio Munge’s renowned luxury interiors, consistently upholding the firm’s standards of excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction.

Samuel Okubay is a successful entrepreneur and author of Godena Entrepreneur, Bitcoin, and Zemen Technology. He owns Quantum Digital Academy, focusing on advertising and data analysis, and Quantum School, dedicated to entrepreneurship education. Samuel also shares insights on his YouTube channel, covering artificial intelligence, IT, business, and entrepreneurship. His extensive experience in technology and education positions him as a leader in fostering innovation and digital literacy.

Abe is an accomplished Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience in maximizing the potential of Microsoft technology for large enterprise clients and partners. His expertise spans enterprise architecture, IT strategy, integration, and cloud computing, including Azure and Google Cloud. Abe’s extensive background in delivering innovative IT solutions positions him as a key asset for organizations seeking to enhance their technological capabilities and achieve strategic goals.

Mengistab Tsegaye is the Executive Director of World Skills Employment Centre in Ottawa, where he has enhanced the integration of newcomers into the workforce for over 20 years. He has established partnerships with more than 300 employers, helping thousands of internationally trained professionals secure job opportunities. Under his leadership, World Skills has launched innovative programs focused on job readiness and employer engagement, making it a key resource for promoting economic inclusion and a diverse workforce in the community.

Yonas Woldemichael is a distinguished Cybersecurity leader and Partner at IAMConcepts Security Solutions Inc, renowned for building and leading high-performance teams that deliver impactful business results. With extensive expertise in Identity and Access Management (IAM) strategy, architecture, governance, and compliance, Yonas specializes in driving cybersecurity transformation and implementing innovative solutions to meet complex business requirements. His leadership and strategic vision have consistently advanced organizational security and operational excellence.

Tzegga is a seasoned Accountant and CPA, CGA with extensive experience in financial management and reporting for multinational organizations. With a strong background in implementing effective financial control systems and streamlining processes, Tzegga excels in budgeting, forecasting, and delivering analytical solutions to complex financial challenges. Known for exceptional organizational and leadership skills, Tzegga fosters collaboration and drives results while maintaining a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset. Tzegga is committed to advancing financial efficiency and organizational success.

Tekleab Schewai is a licensed architect, educator, and LEED Accredited Professional with over 15 years of experience. He teaches sustainable architecture and leads Tekleab Schewai Architect, focusing on sustainable and social justice projects. His portfolio features national and international projects across transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, including LEED-accredited recreational facilities. Tekleab holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and is committed to advancing environmental sustainability and public interest design (PID).

Cluster Coordinators

These are volunteers who agreed to take on leadership roles within each of our five professional groups to take on the task of welcoming members to the sub-groups and managing mentor-to-mentee connections

Shewit Tewelde

Health Cluster

Meron Afewerki

Health Cluster

Mehari Woldu

Health Cluster

Hanybale Mehreteab

Construction and Engineering

Nahom Berhe

IT Cluster

Natnael Mehari

IT Cluster

Issak Gezehei

IT Cluster

Anbesu Lemma

Construction & Engineering

Ivana Tewelde

Legal & Community Services

Natasha Opara

Business Cluster

Senait Berhe

Business Cluster

Youth Leaders

These fearless young leaders have self-organized to drive specific programs focusing on the youth within the community

Development Team

Some of Our Talented Mentors