Team
Frew Demeke
Executive Director
Frew Demeke is the Executive Director of the HCD. He brings extensive experience from academia and policy practice, with expertise in human rights, democracy, public policy, and peacebuilding. He previously served as Regional Africa Programme Manager for Democratic Governance and Human Rights at SiDA. Frew holds a Master of Public Policy and International Conflict Management from the University of Erfurt. He also earned an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law from Lund University and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute.
Yemisrach Kebede
Program and Partnerships Director
Yemisrach Kebede is a seasoned policy, programme, and partnerships leader with over 15 years of experience advancing humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP triple nexus) agendas across Africa. She has held senior advisory and management roles within leading international NGOs, with strong engagement across the African Union, IGAD, RECs, and Member States. Yemisrach is an accomplished policy strategist with a proven track record in humanitarian diplomacy, advocacy strategy, and Pan-African network building. She has successfully designed and led complex multi-year programmes, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and built high-performing, diverse teams while ensuring strong governance and compliance. Her work includes developing institutional partnerships and engagement frameworks with governments, donors, and CSOs.
Yohannes Aklog
Finance and Operations Director
Yohannes Aklog is a senior finance and operations professional with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting from Nagpur University and a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has led finance functions for large multi-donor programmes, ensuring compliance with IPSAS, donor, and national standards. Yohannes has strong expertise in ERP systems, including Microsoft Dynamics AX and Odoo. He also has extensive experience lecturing and training in accounting and financial governance.
Siyoum Woldie Shay
Senior MEAL Officer
Siyoum Woldie is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) professional with extensive experience in governance, peacebuilding, and development programmes in the Horn of Africa. He specializes in results-based planning, indicator development, data quality assurance, and learning systems. His work supports adaptive management, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. Siyoum has contributed to the design of reporting tools, results frameworks, and performance tracking systems.
Rabel Desalegn
Democracy Unit Head
Rabel Desalegn is a human rights lawyer and researcher with over eight years of experience in human rights education, research and advocacy in Ethiopia. She previously worked with CSOs, women rights organizations, and served as Senior Human Rights Officer at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Her expertise includes human rights monitoring and reporting of election and referendum, civic space, human rights protection in conflict contexts, research informed and rights-based advocacy. She has also coordinated research initiatives and published in peer-reviewed journal.
Yechale Degu
Research and Communications Officer
Yechale Degu is a Research and Communications Officer at HCD. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Addis Ababa University and has more than 10 years’ of experience working with civil society organizations and universities. His scholarly contributions featured at reputable journals. He has extensive expertise in program advising, planning, and management in areas of transitional justice, human rights, national dialogue, and peacebuilding.
Bezawit Samuel
Accountant and Office Assistant
Bezawit Samuel holds an MBA in Business Administration and a BA in Management from Arba Minch University. She has several years of experience supporting finance and administrative functions in the NGO sector. Her work focuses on financial operations, record-keeping, and office administration. Bezawit contributes to the efficient and accountable management of organizational resources.