LEADERSHIP
TEAM
Meet the Ethiopian team transforming their nation through Education.
DR. SEID AMAN
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
DR. SEID AMAN - Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Dr. Seid Aman
Dr. Seid Aman
Chief Executive Officer, Imagine1day
Dr. Seid Aman is the Chief Executive Officer of Imagine1day, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education in Ethiopia. He envisions a day when every child in Ethiopia has access to quality primary education. Under his leadership, Imagine1day and its team of over 1,200 staff are implementing impactful education programs that reach more than one million boys and girls across 1,105+ schools and communities in Tigray, Oromia, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, Southwest Ethiopia, Sidama, Benishangul-Gumuz, Amhara, Afar, Somali, and Gambella regions.
With over 21 years of experience in strategic planning, program implementation, and successful completion of diverse initiatives within both local and international NGOs, Dr. Seid brings extensive expertise in global education, alternative and vocational education, education in emergencies, WASH, HIV/AIDS, child protection, women’s empowerment, and leadership development.
Throughout his career, Dr. Seid has led programs supported by major international development partners, including USAID, Education Above All/Educate A Child, Waterloo Foundation, FCDO (DFID), the European Union, ECHO, UNICEF, LEGO Foundation, IOM, UN OCHA, Global Affairs Canada, Costa Foundation, Light for the World, and Education Cannot Wait, among others.
A passionate advocate for equitable access to quality education, Dr. Seid is deeply committed to empowering disadvantaged communities through sustainable, inclusive development. He is known for his exceptional ability to build strong partnerships, inspire collaboration, and cultivate a culture of accountability and shared responsibility within teams and communities alike.
During his remarkable 17-year tenure as Country Director and now as CEO, Dr. Seid has demonstrated outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing education and sustainable livelihoods across Ethiopia.
Dr. Seid holds a Global Executive Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Southern California (USC).
DANIEL ATAKLTI
Chief Finanace Officer
Daniel Ataklti - Chief Finance Officer
Daniel Ataklti
Daniel leads Imagine1day’s operation functions. Daniel has an MBA degree and has been deeply involved in finance and program activities at the community level since he began working with imagine1day in 2008. Daniel’s education as a lawyer and an accountant are invaluable in his responsibilities for Imagein1day in the areas of planning, development, and implementation of the organization’s operation strategy. Daniel’s main role is overseeing Imagine1day’s operations in Ethiopia.
UMER LIMU
Chief Impact & Operations Officer
Umer Limu - Chief Impact and Opration Officer
Umer Limu Kassim is the Chief Impact and Operations Officer at Imagine1day, bringing over two decades of leadership in education, community development, and humanitarian programming.
His career spans roles as a primary and secondary school teacher, school principal, education officer, and senior program leader. Since joining Imagine1day in 2014, Umer has served in diverse capacities, including Community Mobilization Officer, MERL Officer, Zonal Program Coordinator, Regional Program Manager, Regional Program Director for Oromia and National Program Director before assuming his current national leadership role. Beyond Imagine1day, he has served as Executive Director of Help Generation National Organization and remains an active board member in the development sector.
A passionate advocate for equitable, inclusive education, child protection, and WASH, Umer has successfully led large-scale, donor-funded projects from grassroots mobilization to national strategic direction. He is highly skilled in strategic program leadership, community empowerment, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. Fluent in Afan Oromo, Amharic, and English, he is guided by strong values of honesty, integrity, equity, and service.
Umer holds an MA in Development Studies from Ambo University and a BA in Geography & Environmental Studies from Meda-Welabu University, and several certificates. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to transforming lives through education, fostering resilience in crisis-affected communities, and building sustainable, inclusive systems for lasting change.
HALEFOM GEZAEI
Chief Program Officer
Halefom Gezaei - Chief Program Officer
Halefom Gezaei (PHD) – Chief Program Officer
Halefom Gezaei Abera began his journey with Imagine1Day in March 2011 as a Community Mobilization Officer in Tigray, following five years of dedicated service as a school teacher and principal, an achievement recognized by the Ethiopian Prime Minister at the time. Drawing on his extensive expertise in education, Halefom was instrumental in expanding Imagine1Day’s reach into the Bale zone of the Oromia region, where he conducted impactful training sessions and provided crucial technical support. His commitment and innovation in educational initiatives saw him appointed as the National Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL) Officer, a role he held for a year at the Addis Ababa Country Office after four years of successful project contributions in Tigray.
Over the course of seven years, Halefom held significant leadership roles as Regional Program Coordinator, Regional Program Manager, and Regional Program Director, strengthening Imagine1Day’s presence in Tigray. His leadership was particularly vital during Ethiopia’s Northern Crisis, as he ensured Imagine1Day continued its operations and brought essential life-saving support to Tigray’s communities. Currently, Halefom serves as the National Program Director, based in Addis Ababa, where he leads and oversees diverse, multi-regional projects across Afar, Amhara, and Tigray in northern Ethiopia.
Halefom is known for his lifelong commitment to learning, fostering partnerships, and his skills in project proposal development, project management, interpersonal communication, and capacity building. He holds a PhD in Educational Policy and Strategic Management, an MA in Community Development and Leadership, a BA in Management, and a BSc in Mathematics. Additionally, he is a certified trainer in leadership and education.
Passionate about community service, Halefom has founded several local NGOs, savings and credit cooperatives, microfinance institutions, and other community-driven initiatives. He has also served as a board director and active member in numerous volunteer capacities, embodying his vision of contributing selflessly to society. With a strong commitment to advancing Imagine1Day’s mission across Ethiopia and Africa, Halefom is a visionary leader whose contributions continue to make a profound impact.
A prolific reader and writer, Halefom has authored five books on leadership and education. He is also a devoted father of three children.
YASABU BERKNEH
Chief Strategic & Partnership Officer
Yasabu Berkneh - Chief Strategic Partnership Officer
Yasabu Berkneh
Yasabu Berkneh is currently the Strategic Partnership Director at Imagine1day, Ethiopia country office. He holds a BA in Education from Bahir Dar Teachers’ College of Addis Ababa University, majoring in pedagogical science with a minor in geography. Additionally, he has a Master’s degree in Sociology from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
With over 31 years of experience in education and development, Yasabu spent 11 years as a secondary school teacher before joining the Federal Ministry of Education in 2002. During his 18 years there, he worked in various departments and agencies.
In 2020, Yasabu joined the Education Cannot Wait Multi-Year Resilience Program in Ethiopia (ECW) as the Program Coordination Unit Lead. ECW is the United Nations’ global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. Yasabu managed the Ethiopian MYRP’s grantees (UNICEF and Save the Children) and the steering committee, which included donors, UN agencies, and local and international NGOs. He successfully mobilized over $15 million in additional resources for the program.
Yasabu was drawn to imagine1day by its dedicated staff and impressive track record, aligning with his own commitment to driving positive change in education.
MELES BIRHANU
FINANCE Director
Meles Birhanu - Finance Director
Meles has a proven track record of success in all areas of administration and financial management including planning and budget analysis, cash flows projection and control, financial reporting and analysis, budget and expenditure tracking, and grant management. He manages our grant and sub grant funds working closely with our partners including USAID, CIDA, CFGB, EU, CFH & other private donors. He possesses excellent interpersonal skills and has proven ability to communicate and negotiate concisely and articulately with stakeholders at all levels.
Kemal Shenka
HR and Administration Director
Kemal Shenka - HR and Administration Director
Kemal’s career began in academia, where he worked as a lecturer, imparting knowledge to university students and fostering a passion for learning and leadership. His academic pursuits also extended to research and consultancy, focusing on organizational policy development and management. Through his research, Kemal has contributed valuable insights that have supported organizations in crafting effective strategies and improving operational efficiency.
In addition to his academic roles, Kemal served as Vice President for Administration and Development Affairs at Oromia State University. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the university’s administrative processes and driving development initiatives that supported institutional growth.
Kemal’s dedication to social impact is reflected in his active participation as a board member for various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), where he has contributed to initiatives aimed at fostering community development and social progress.
Since 2022, Kemal Shenka has been serving as the Human Resource and Administration Manager at Imagine1day International Organization. In this role, he oversees human resource and administrative operations, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission to create sustainable impact.
Kemal’s career is marked by a commitment to leadership, organizational excellence, and community service, making him a respected figure in both the academic and professional spheres.
HAWI ALEMU
COMMUNICATION & Media Director
Hawi Alemu - Communication and Media Director
Human-interest story writing is one of Hawi’s greatest passions and her human-interest stories have been widely recognized. Over five of her stories were selected to be shared with Her Highness Sheikha Moza of Qatar, and four have been featured on UNICEF’s website.
Hawi was born and raised in Amabo, a town located 115 km from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communication from Wollega University and is a winner of the 2012 Female Scholarship funded by the government of Sweden. Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication, which laid the foundation for her career in the media and communication sector.
Hawi began her professional journey as the Publication and Information Officer at Oromia Seed Enterprise (OSE), where she played a key role in producing documentaries, TV ads, and various publications. She also managed press releases, coordinated an annual radio program, and handled communication-related contacts with partners and stakeholders. One of her notable achievements at OSE was leading the “listeners group” project, which she customized from BBC Media Action. This initiative successfully increased the ratio of peer pressure to buy and utilize improved seed and seed technology from 1:1 to 1:4.
Known for her straightforwardness, commitment, loyalty, and simplicity, Hawi is a person who is easy to get along with.
MUKTAR ABDI
Protection & Child Development Director
MUKTAR ABDI - Protection & Child Development Director
He has spent the last 6 years learning everything from his role at different positions which helps him to know about the emergency programs. He is currently applying this knowledge in his role as program manager for his organization, where he is responsible for early education, education in emergency and child protection
He has held a number of organizational roles, from community mobilizing officer to his current role Capacity Building and CPGBV Program Manager and team Leader, but his latest challenge has been helping imagine1day improve early child education and protection through his contributions. He is a program manager with a passion for leveraging, empowering and capacitating the staffs with shared responsibilities to emotional intelligent in the given roles and responsibilities. In his 8 years journey with imagine1day, he has helped advance leadership and capacity building education, protection and leadership programs. With an extensive background in program, he is an expert on EIE and child protection. This work led him to his current role at Imagine1day where he is responsible for leading emergency and early education program.
He is very passionate to grow with his organization and to be national program director and beyond in his future career. Moreover, he wants to give his time and knowledge more than expected from me to see well recognized and extraordinary Imagine1day both at national and international level with his very human minded leaders. For most people, growing with organization doesn’t sound very interesting. For him, growing together is a passion he has been chasing for last 8 years. Most recently, his work landed him a position with imagine1day where he is focused on early education, protection and leadership. To this end he could say he is living the dream.
Feven Gezahegn
Finance Manager
Feven Gezahegn - Finance Manager
Feven was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Addis Ababa Science & Technology University. She further advanced her expertise by earning an MBA in Accounting and Finance from St. Mary’s University. Additionally, Feven has completed short term training in Project Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at Addis Ababa University, further enhancing her qualifications.
Before joining Imagine1day, Feven began her career in November 2017 at a HST consulting firm, where she worked as an Associate Accountant. She later progressed to the position of Senior Associate Accountant, where she honed her skills in financial analysis and accounting until March 2021.
With a solid foundation in both the private and nonprofit sectors, Feven is passionate about using her financial expertise to drive organizational success and ensure transparent, efficient financial management.
WORKENEH ALEMU
Education Program Director-Secondary & TVET
Workneh Alemu - Education Program Director - Secondary and TVET
Workneh worked as a teacher and Secondary School Principal for many years in Goro and Gursum towns of East Bale and East Harerge zones respectively. He has held the position of Sponsor Relation Unit Head, ECCD and Education Unit Head and as an acting area Project Coordinator at Child Fund Ethiopia, an international NGO. He was also the Education Department Head in Arada Sub City and Training Core Process Leader in TVET Agency in Addis Ababa City Administration. He has more than 20 years of work experience in the private sector, education, government, and international NGOs.
Mesfin Astatike
Education Program Director-Primary
Mesfin Astatike - Education Program Director - Primary
Currently, he is working for Imagine 1 Day International Organization as a National Education Program Manager, overseeing and managing education programs at a national level in Ethiopia, with a specific focus on both education in development and education in emergency contexts. He works closely with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies, and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective strategies for improving the quality and accessibility of education in both normal and crisis situations. He provides leadership, coordination, and technical expertise to ensure the successful implementation of education programs, in line with national and regional policies and priorities.
Mesfin is driven by a strong belief that education is fundamental to improving individual lives and fostering societal development. He holds an MA in Educational Planning and Leadership from Adama Science & Technology University (ASTU) and an MA in Sociology from Indra Gandhi National Open University (IGNO). His undergraduate degree is in Educational Planning and Management from Addis Ababa University (AAU). Additionally, he is a Certified International Project Manager (CIPM) from the American Project Management Academy.
ABDELA HASSEN
GRANT Director
Abdella Hassen - Grant Director
Over the last size years Abdella worked at Imagine1day in different roles including Administration Assistant, Human Resource and Administration Officer, CPiE Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Information Management Officer, and currently as Grant Manager.
LIBABIE GEBAW
MEAL & Knowledge Management Director
LIBABIE GEBAW - MEAL & Knowledge Management Director
Since January 2026, Libabie has served as National MEAL and Knowledge Management Director at Imagine 1Day International, where he leads organization-wide MEAL and knowledge management system-strengthening initiatives, including the development of governance frameworks, policies, standards and operational guidelines. In this role, he spearheads the organization’s digital MEAL transformation, encompassing ERP integration and the deployment of KoboToolbox and ODK-based data systems. He has also strengthened institutional accountability through Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms and improved evidence-use practices, while providing strategic leadership on data quality, learning, evidence generation and organizational reporting to inform programme decision-making.
Prior to this, from April 2023 to December 2025, he served as Regional Programs Manager for Tigray at Imagine 1Day, managing multi-sectoral humanitarian and development programmes covering WASH, education, protection and infrastructure. He oversaw all aspects of regional operations — programme implementation, finance, human resources, partnership coordination and donor compliance — and administered emergency and resilience-focused projects funded by international donors, working in close coordination with government institutions, communities and partners such as UNICEF. Throughout this period, he led the full project cycle, from planning and implementation through monitoring, reporting, learning and evaluation.
Between October 2021 and March 2023, Libabie served as Protection Program Manager for UN-funded Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) projects at Imagine 1Day. In this capacity, he led emergency protection responses for vulnerable and conflict-affected populations, developed project results frameworks, implementation plans and reporting systems, and facilitated capacity-building for frontline workers on child protection and GBV case management, all while maintaining high standards of donor reporting, compliance and coordination.
His grounding in MEAL practice was consolidated during his tenure as Regional MEAL Officer at Imagine 1Day International from May 2017 to October 2021. There, he developed monitoring and evaluation frameworks, logical frameworks, indicators and data-collection tools for sectoral programmes; led baseline studies, assessments, evaluations, monitoring visits and data analysis; and supported evidence generation, learning documentation, accountability mechanisms and programme-quality improvement. The monitoring reports and learning products he produced directly informed adaptive programme management across the organization’s portfolio.
Earlier in his career with Imagine 1Day, Libabie worked as a Community Development Officer (January 2016 – April 2017), supporting the implementation of community-based education and construction projects, mobilizing communities and local resources to strengthen participation, ownership and sustainability, and facilitating the enrolment of out-of-school children into learning programmes. He joined the organization in October 2015 as a Community Mobilizing Officer, facilitating community engagement and project implementation for education and infrastructure interventions.
Before entering the humanitarian sector, Libabie built a strong foundation in public education and planning. From December 2014 to September 2015, he served as Planning and Budgeting Core Process Lead at the Emba Alaje District Education Office, where he led annual strategic and operational planning for district education programmes and coordinated physical and financial planning alongside finance departments. He began his professional journey as a Mathematics Teacher in the same district from July 2006 to December 2014, delivering mathematics education, supporting students’ academic development and earning recognition for teaching excellence, student support and community contribution.
Libabie’s career reflects a steady progression from grassroots community engagement to national strategic leadership, unified by a deep commitment to evidence, accountability and learning in the service of vulnerable communities.
Girma Habte
CP-GBV Program Manager
Girma Habte - CP/GBV Program Manager
Throughout his career, Girma has adeptly worked with vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and survivors of violence and abuse, in both development and emergency settings. His practical experience spans the design and implementation of comprehensive programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of marginalized communities, with a strong focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by Children, women, youth, and individuals with disabilities.
Girma’s expertise includes emergency response in displacement contexts, where he has actively contributed to the implementation of child protection measures, GBV prevention and response strategies, and psychosocial support initiatives. His thorough understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues is further enriched by his familiarity with international and national legal frameworks, as well as the minimum standards for Child Protection, GBV and MHPSS.
As a graduate of the blended Child Protection in Emergencies Professional Development Program (CPiE PDP) East and South African regions, Girma has gained essential skills and insights that enhance his effectiveness in emergency programming. His approach is grounded in collaboration, empowering community members and stakeholders through capacity-building initiatives, training programs, and mentorship.
In his role as Child Protection and GBV Program Manager at Imagine1Day, Girma is committed to developing and managing impactful projects that foster gender equality, youth agency, and disability inclusion. He excels at creating project proposals, coordinating CP/GBV networks, and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
Girma is a proactive leader who believes in the power of community engagement and collaboration among diverse stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for those in need. Passionate about empowering individuals and communities, Girma dedicates himself to driving meaningful changes that contribute to the well-being of vulnerable populations. He envisions a world where every individual, regardless of gender, age, or ability, can thrive and participate fully in society.
Selam Gelgelo
Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Specialist
Selam Gelgelo - Gender Equality and social Inclusion Specialist
As Imagine1day International Organization team, Selam has served in various roles across diverse regions, working in multicultural settings to advance gender equality and protect the rights of women and children. Her work has had a profound impact on communities, fostering safer and more inclusive environments.
Selam is also a proud alumna of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a testament to her commitment to leadership and driving transformative change across Africa. Her vision is rooted in building a more equitable and just society where every individual, regardless of gender or background, can thrive.
Through her unwavering dedication and expertise, Selam continues to inspire and lead efforts to uplift communities and champion human rights.
DEGU TERESA
NATIONAL MEAL MANAGER
Degu Teressa - National MEAL Manager
Degu has a MSc degree in Development Economics from ECSU, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He also done undergraduate work in Development Management at Ambo University, Ethiopia. Degu has a Forestry Diploma in Natural Resource Management (NRM) from Wondo Genet College of Forestry. He also completed an international course on Managing for Impact (M4I) from Wageningen University, Netherlands.
Merga Gemeda
National MEAL Manager
Merga Gemeda - National Meal manager
Merga Gemeda hold an MSc in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development from Haramaya University. With 18 years of experience in various organizations, including both governmental and non-governmental sectors, He is currently serving as National MEAL Manager at Imagine1day International Ethiopia Country Office. During his career, he has worked as Senior MEAL Specialist at Save the Children Country Office for one year and one month, as Country Consortium MERL Coordinator at Plan International Ethiopia for seven months, as MEAL Officer at IRC Ethiopia for two years and one month, and as MEAL Officer and other different program/project positions at World Vision Ethiopia for nine years. Additionally, he has served as Project Coordinator at Compassion International Ethiopia for one year, as well as two years as Project Coordinator at Kids Care Children Welfare Association, and three years as teacher.
Throughout his professional journey, he has gained extensive experience in various areas such as coordination, assessments, planning, implementation, data quality assurance, project logic design (including theory of change, result chain, and logical frameworks), and the development of MEAL plans, frameworks, and indicator performance tracking tables. He also well-versed in setting up feedback response mechanisms and have expertise in concept note/proposal development. Utilized statistical software such as Kobo, CommCare, Pivot table/chart, SPSS, and STATA to analyze data. Furthermore, he is proficient in working within multi-donor and sector environments, having collaborated with organizations such as the EU, European Commission, BMZ, UN funds, SIDA, and USAID. He has also excelled in consortium management, leading and organizing programs/projects, conducting research, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring accountability in partnership with various international non-governmental organizations, FBOs, CBOs and local community representatives. His practical experiences extend to different sector-specific developments, including economic development, WASH, education, health, child protection, and emergency responses. He possesses the ability to collect and analyze qualitative as well as quantitative data effectively, enabling informed decision-making and the achievement of project objectives.
Dagim Mesay
Procurement & Logistics Manager
Dagim Mesay - Procurement & Logistics Manager
Dagim Mesay serves as the Logistic and Procurement Manager at Imagine1day, bringing with him over eight years of progressive leadership experience in education, community development, and humanitarian programming. His career journey reflects a steady rise through diverse roles, including Assistant Finance and Administration Manager in the private sector, Program Manager, and Regional Program Director.
Dagim joined Imagine1day in 2018, where he has contributed significantly to advancing the organization’s mission. He has served in multiple leadership capacities, including Program Manager and Regional Program Director for the SNNP Region, before taking on his current role as Logisitic and Procurement Manager at the Country Office. In these positions, he has led the planning, implementation, and monitoring of large-scale education initiatives, fostered partnerships with government and community stakeholders, and championed programs that address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development goals.
Guided by his core values of honesty, integrity, equity, and service, Dagim is committed to ensuring that every program under his leadership delivers measurable, sustainable impact. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Unity University and has earned several professional certificates in program leadership, community engagement, and project management.
Getahun Mekonnen
Internal Auditor
Getahun Mekonnen - Internal Auditor
Bereket Gebretsion
WASH Program Manager
Bereket Gebretsion - WASH Program Manager
With over 39 years of experience in water supply, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in local and International Non–government organization (NGOs) areas. All-rounded experience in technical expertise, human resources, administration, leadership and management of emergency response, rehabilitation, development, capacity building, program operation and over-all sustainable development strategy. He has experience of working with partners organization in some Africa countries (Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC) as WASH consultant. Ability to write proposals, reports and maintains documents, facilitating and providing trainings. Admirable communication skills, detailed oriented and well organized with the ability to multi task and work well under pressure. Works well both independently and in collaboration within a team. During his 40 years there, he worked in various level of responsibility and duty from water technician to general manager position.
Bereket was drawn to imagine1day due to its passionate staff and track record of success, reflecting his own commitment to making a visible impact in WASH.
Mulugeta Abreha
Regional Programs Manager – Tigray
Mulugeta Abraha - Regional Programs Manager - Tigray
Mulugeta Abreha is a dedicated Regional Programs Manager at Imagine 1day, where he supervises the Tigray Regional Program Coordination Office. With 23 years of professional experience, Mulugeta has contributed to Imagine 1day since 2015—about 11 years—in various roles, progressing from Community Development Officer to his current leadership position.
Mulugeta holds a Master’s degree in Community Development and Leadership from Mekelle University, equipping him with the knowledge and skills essential for effective program management. In his current role, he expertly manages and coordinates multiple programs, including Education, Protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), as well as logistical and financial activities.
His work is particularly crucial in an emergency context, where he blends development initiatives with immediate response efforts. Mulugeta collaborates with project partners, including Finland-UNICEF, SBC Education of UNICEF, and the Mastercard Foundation, ensuring the successful implementation of programs that significantly impact the communities he serves.
Mulugeta is committed to fostering positive change and empowering communities in Tigray through his strategic leadership and solid dedication to development work.
Yusuf Oumer
Regional Programs Manager – Afar
Yusuf Oumer - Regional Programs Manager - Afar
Yusuf Omer is a seasoned humanitarian and development professional with more than 12 years of progressive experience in program leadership, emergency response, and community development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid from Kalu Institution, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Project Management.
Yusuf began his professional career in the government sector, where he served for six years in key technical and leadership roles, including Education Expert, Senior Counsellor, and Community-Based Health Insurance Team Leader. His strong foundation in public service and community engagement later led him to transition into the humanitarian and development sector.
Since joining Imagine1day International Organisation in 2019, Yusuf has held several impactful positions, including Protection Program Officer, Education Program Officer, Child Protection and Education in Emergencies (EiE) Zonal Coordinator, and Regional Program Coordinator. He currently serves as Regional Program Manager for the Afar Region, where he leads emergency response and education initiatives supporting crisis-affected children and vulnerable communities.
With extensive field experience across Oromia, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Afar regions, Yusuf brings deep contextual understanding, strong leadership, and a steadfast commitment to advancing inclusive, safe, and quality education for children in humanitarian settings.
Amanuel Kusheta
Regional Programs Manager – South Ethiopia
Amanuel Kusheta - Regional Programs Manager - South Ethiopia
I have worked as a teacher, school director, and cluster supervisor in the Konso Zone, Kolme. I have also served as head of the youth league and chief cabinet member in Konso. Additionally, I have worked as head of planning and development in the SNNP council office. I possess significant leadership experience, having served for over 14 years in government and schools.
I am flexible, reliable, and have strong time management skills. I am enthusiastic, self-motivated, responsible, and hard-working.
Mohammed Sultan
Regional Programs manager – Oromia
Bereket Gebretsion - WASH Program Manager
Mohammed is a Senior Education and Child Development program Specialist/Program manager with over 13 years of impact-driven experience in international development and humanitarian response. He currently serves as the Regional Program Manager for Oromia with Imagine 1 Day, where he oversees education, protections , WASH & other community development programming for one of Ethiopia’s largest regions, impacting a students and community population of over millions.
Throughout his career, Mohammed has successfully navigated both emergency and long-term development contexts, specializing in the design of integrated education, child protection, and community resilience programs. He has held and served pivotal Technical expert and leadership roles with premier global organizations, including Save the Children and SOS International. His technical mastery spans the full project cycle, Education and Protections with a focus on system strengthening and donor engagement with major partners such as UNICEF, USAID, Education Cannot Wait (ECW),FCDO and Educate A Child (EAC).
Academically, Mohammed pairs field-tested experience with strategic rigor, holding an MBA in Project Management Ashlan university -Lead star Colleges and a BA in Educational Planning from Jimma university and MA studies in Educational Management and Leadership from Arsi university.
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