Board of Directors
ECS is governed by Board of Directors. These Board Members are volunteers who do not receive compensation for services rendered by ECS. They are experienced and respected community leaders from varied backgrounds.
Habtamu Kebede, MSW, ASW., President
Mr. Kebede is a licensed Associate Clinical Social Worker, and a humanitarian with great interest in analyzing, discussing, and solving critical social issues. Mr. Kebede has three AA from San José City College, a BA in Political Science, minor in Psychology, and a Master of Social Work from San José State University. Mr. Kebede works in the social service sector, and helps unaccompanied refugee minors from around the world. Mr. Kebede lives in Santa Clara, California with his wife and two children.
Asry Tura, Board Member
Asry is a Human Resource professional working as a Sr. Talent Acquisition Coordinator at Zuora Inc., Asry graduated from San Jose State University with a B.A in Business Administration with an HR Management focus. Asry loves to help people and is passionate about supporting her community. Asry served on the ECS Board as a Secretary for a few years, and is happy to give back to the Ethiopian community again.
Alfiya Raboye, Board Member
Alfiya Raboye is a college student. Alfia is studying business at the San Jose City College. Alfia plans on transferring to the San Jose State University to pursue her education in the health care administration field.
Semret Haile, Board Member
Ms. Semert Haile is a passionate social service professional with extensive experience in behavioral health and community service. Ms. Haile has worked for Santa Clara County’s Behavioral Health Service Department for more than a decade. Mrs. Haile has trained in faith/critical thinking at Bethel Theological Seminary in San Diego, and in family/community development at Cornell University. Prior to that, she received fashion design education at the Paris Academy of Art University. Ms. Haile is widely recognized in the Ethiopian community in the Bay Area for her tireless community service volunteering. She has served as volunteer for ECS for several years prior to joining the Board of Directors. Ms. Haile enjoys sports, community service, and learning new skills.
Mengistu Mekuria, Board Member
Mengistu Yewondwossen Mekuria was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr. Mekuria attended and graduated from the San Jose State University Department of Electrical Engineering. Mr. Mekuria works for the UL Verification Services. Inc., as a Lead Test Engineer. Mr. Mekuria is among the current Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Community Services in San Jose, California. Mr. Mekuria is very passionate about helping others, and he does it with compassion and great respect. Mr. Mekuria enjoys supporting and uplifting the livelihood of the Ethiopian community in the Bay Area and beyond. Mr. Mekuria lives in San Jose, California, with his wife and two children.
Andarge Taye, PhD. Vice President
Andarge Taye PhD who is a highly motivated, and community oriented charismatic leader with extensive experience. Mr. Taye has a BA from Addis Ababa University, MA from Oral Roberts University, and a PhD from Walden School of Public Policy.
Manyaheleshal Tadgo, Treasurer
Manyaheleshal Tadgo has lived in the Bay Area for the last 24 years. She has volunteered at her kids' school in different capacities, including serving as a VP for the PTA. She has also volunteered and led a few projects for the Ethiopian Community Services in the last few years. In addition to her day job as a software developer, she enjoys walking and reading and spending time at her neighborhood's independent coffee shop.
She is thrilled to be the newest member of the Ethiopian Community Services Board of Directors and looks forward to working with the staff and volunteers to deliver the organization's mission and values to the Ethiopian community.
Menen Tesfahun, Board Member
Menen Tesfahun is a payroll manager for Ardelyx. Menen studied finance and accounting in San Jose State University. Menen loves numbers, and majored in accounting and earned her BA degree. Menen was born in Ethiopia and moved to the U.S. after finishing high school. Beside’s her regular job, she volunteers within the community in organizing and helping the kids to the Maleda soccer team in San Jose for 11 years. In addition, every year for the past six years she got invited and attended African Cradle Camp for Ethiopian adopted children which she helped the kids and share Ethiopian culture.
Girum Siraw Awoke, PhD, Board Member
Girum Siraw Awoke serves the Ethiopian Community Services Inc. as a governing Board member, and as a member of the Health and Education committee.
Girum has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the Transportation, Public Works and Engineering field, working in both private and public sectors. For the past 8 years, he has served in Executive Management roles, ranging from serving as the Chief of Construction in Montgomery County, a suburb of Washington, D.C., to the Public Works Director for the City of Gilroy, CA. He is passionate about leading and empowering teams to success, and serving his community.
Girum holds a PhD and MSc Degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from Addis Ababa University. He is a graduate of the Local Governance Summer Institute at Stanford University, and has certifications in project management, alternative project delivery, and leadership. Dr. Awoke serves as adjunct faculty at Santa Clara University and San Jose State University, and formerly at Montgomery College. He is a member of several professional associations, and serves on committees at national, state, and local levels.
In his spare time, Girum enjoys the outdoors and sports. Girum lives in San Jose California with his wife and two children.
Zerihun Feki, Secretary
Zerihun “Zeru” Feki is a first generation Ethiopian-American born and raised in San Jose, CA. He received his Bachelors of Science from UC Berkeley in 2017 and currently works as an Account Manager at Google where he helps businesses achieve their marketing/business objectives. Zeru is passionate about increasing racial and ethnic equity amongst various facets of society including healthcare, economic mobility, and tech. He also serves as a board member for the Berkeley Free Clinic, a worker’s collective serving the Bay Area since 1969. In his spare time, he enjoys helping run his family’s business, Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant.