Our Team
Abrahamu Emmanuel
Abrahamu Emmanuel is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Elah Foundation, originally established as the Abrahamu Selassie Foundation. Driven by a deep commitment to global inclusivity and human rights, Abrahamu launched the organization to champion the rights of children with disabilities and to advance gender equality, with a powerful focus on teenage empowerment. Based in Virginia, USA, he strategically guides the foundation’s international operations, bridging resources between the United States and East Africa.Under his executive leadership, the USA headquarters serves as the primary fundraising and mobilization hub, ensuring sustainable financial and technical support flows directly to Elah Foundation’s local office in Ethiopia. Abrahamu’s vision combines structured organizational management with a profound empathy for underserved youth. By channeling global donations into targeted, ground-level programs in Ethiopia, he ensures vulnerable teenagers receive the tools, confidence, and advocacy required to dismantle social barriers and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Merima Dendir serves as the General Manager of Elah Foundation, overseeing the strategic administration and daily operations of both our international and local offices. Highly educated and deeply skilled in Human rights advocacy, Merima brings a wealth of specialized expertise to our leadership team. Her professional background is rooted in creating systemic change and designing impactful programming tailored directly to teenage girls’ empowerment.
Merima Dendir
Sara Geremew
Sara Geremew serves as a Project Manager at our foundation, where she oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of impactful community initiatives. With a strong background in coordination and resource management, Sara ensures that our foundation’s resources are efficiently used to maximize positive social change.She is deeply committed to sustainable development and works closely with local partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to turn our strategic vision into reality. Her structured approach to project timelines, budget management, and team collaboration allows our foundation to consistently meet its milestones and expand its outreach. Before joining the foundation, Sara developed her expertise in logistics, planning, and operations, bringing a practical and results-driven mindset to our humanitarian efforts.
Gifty Teressa serves as a dedicated Social Worker for our organization, where she provides vital advocacy, emotional support, and specialized guidance to children with disabilities and their families. With a profound commitment to inclusive care, Gifty focuses on ensuring every child has the resources, specialized tools, and community support needed to reach their highest potential.In her role, she works closely with families to navigate developmental challenges, coordinate specialized services, and foster inclusive, supportive environments. Gifty is incredibly passionate about building bridges between families, schools, and medical providers, working tirelessly to remove barriers and champion the dignity and independence of every child she serves.Her compassionate approach, paired with her expertise in disability advocacy, helps our nonprofit empower vulnerable youth and create long-term, positive changes within our community.
Gifty Teressa
Meron Ejigu
Meron Ejigu is a compassionate coach, mentor, and professional trainer dedicated to building safer, more equitable communities. With a deep understanding of adolescent psychology, Meron possesses a unique ability to connect authentically with teenagers, helping them navigate complex emotional and social challenges. In her vital work with parents and families, she delivers impactful training on gender equality and domestic violence prevention, providing tools to break harmful cycles and foster healthy relationships. Meron’s dual expertise makes her an indispensable bridge between generations, empowering both youth and caregivers to create lasting, positive change.