Advisory Board

Lidiya Gessese, a Tigrayan American and cancer survivor, is a successful Los Angeles business owner and passionate activist. Originally from Tigray, Ethiopia, Lidiya immigrated to the United States, where she established herself as an entrepreneur committed to creating opportunities for others. Her battle with cancer fueled her dedication to healthcare advocacy, particularly for cancer survivors and better access to healthcare. As a vocal advocate, she champions women's rights and marginalized communities, working to amplify their voices and advance social equity. Lidiya is also involved in local initiatives in Los Angeles to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Wafa Saeed is a dynamic community leader, mentor, advocate, and entrepreneur, leaving a lasting impact locally and beyond. Her successful business and nonprofit ventures have fostered collaborations with various organizations and government officials in Colorado. As a U.S. Delegate, she represented immigrant and refugee advocacy at a Human Rights Summit in Istanbul, emphasizing her significant humanitarian work in Colorado. Wafa leads human rights advocacy for immigrants and refugees across Colorado and supports Sudan's journey towards democratic governance. Her unwavering passion, reliability, and genuine commitment to helping others shine through her community engagement and advocacy efforts.

Feven Robleto, a dedicated resident of Aurora, Colorado, holds a Master's degree in Accounting from Regis University and excels as a Senior Accountant, adept at managing financial intricacies. Originally from Eritrea, Feven is fervently committed to effecting positive change in her homeland. As a passionate political activist, she tirelessly strives for regime change in Eritrea, advocating for a more democratic and equitable future. Empowering women to stand up for their rights and assume leadership roles is a central focus of her mission, as she firmly believes that every voice is essential in shaping the forthcoming democratic Eritrea.

Oromo Ethiopian journalist Tsedale Lemma founded Addis Standard in 2011. Her journalism career began in 2000, spanning until 2005, including a senior reporter role at the now-defunct Addis Tribune. Following this, she served at the Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa from 2005 to 2010, initially as a communication expert and later as a regional political affairs/media advisor. In 2010, after leaving the embassy, Tsedale conducted research, leading to the establishment of Addis Standard monthly magazine in February 2011. Over the past decade, she has played a pivotal role in elevating Addis Standard into a prominent independent media outlet. Recognized as one of Africa's Rising Stars by The Africa Report in 2014, Tsedale also joined the International Advisory Board of Bandung: Journal of the Global South in 2015. She holds diplomas in Teaching Foreign Language, Print Journalism, and Online Journalism.

Samah is the President and co-founder of the US-Educated Sudanese Association (USESA), a diaspora civil society organization dedicated to supporting Sudan's civilian democratic transition and addressing the economic and humanitarian crisis resulting from the recent conflict. She is also a business executive in Sudan's private sector, leading social innovation initiatives in areas such as food security, climate change, and renewable energy. Recognized as a Sudan expert, Samah has provided analysis and commentary on Sudan for prominent media outlets and think tanks. She actively advocates for Sudan with US and multilateral government agencies, offering policy strategies and diverse analyses.