ORDA Ethiopia Senior Management Team (SMT)

The full-time senior management team is in charge of running ORDA Ethiopia’s affairs. It works in compliance with ORDA Ethiopia's and with the decisions of the Board of Directors. 

Dr. Alemayehu Wassie, Executive Director of ORDA Ethiopia

Dr. Alemayehu Wassie Eshete is the Board Secretary and Executive Director of ORDA Ethiopia. He was elected as Executive Director in January 2018 and has made significant contributions to the organization’s success. He attended Alemaya/ Haromaya University of Agriculture, Ethiopia where he received a BSc degree in forestry in 1992. He then received an MSc in Farm Forestry from Swedish University of Agricultural Science for his research on the roles of Ethiopian Orthodox Churches in the conservation of forest biodiversity. He continued his research in church forest and further earned his Ph.D. in 2007 from the Forest Ecology and Forest Management group (FEM) of the center for Ecosystem studies of Wageningen University, the Netherlands. With over thirty years of experience in forestry, ecology, and conservation, he has held influential positions within governmental and non-governmental organizations. His commitment extends to conserving church forests in Ethiopia’s northern highlands, which are crucial for biodiversity and water resources. In addition to his environmental work, Dr. Alemayehu is a recognized author of mystical novels, showcasing his literary talents. His dedication to environmental conservation and cultural enrichment establishes him as an invaluable figure in both ORDA Ethiopia and the broader Ethiopian community. Dr. Alemayehu Wassie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tsehay Asmare Deputy Executive Director (Programs)

Tsehay Asmare Mengesha is currently serving as the Deputy Executive Director for Programs at ORDA Ethiopia starting from August 1 2022. He has MSc in Plant Protection and BSc in Plant Production from the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, earned between 1992 and 1998. Additionally, Tsehay obtained a Diploma in Plant Science from Hawassa Junior College of Agriculture at Addis Ababa University from 1984 to 1986. His extensive work experience includes roles such agriculture lead consultant employed by Big Win Philanthropy in Amhara President Delivery Unit from July 1 2020 to July 2022, as Agriculture and Disaster Risk Management Program Director (November 2017 to June 2020) and Food Security and Agricultural Development Program Manager (May 2011 to November 2017) before that, he served as project coordinator, program manager and a Senior Agronomist (February 2008 to April 2011) at ORDA Ethiopia. Tsehay has also held positions as expert, team leader and head of office of agriculture in different area in Amhara Region. Notably, from September 1986 to September 1991, he worked as a Technical Assistant in the Department of Plant Science, providing valuable support to students studying coffee, tea, and spices at Jimma Junior College of Agriculture. You can reach him via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dr. Shibrie Jorga, Deputy Executive Director (Resource) at ORDA Ethiopia
Dr. Shibrie Jorga, Deputy Executive Director (Resource) at ORDA Ethiopia, holds a Ph.D. in Business Management from the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing, China (2018-2023). She also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Management from the Ethiopian Civil Service University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2012-2013) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethiopian Language and Linguistics from Bahir Dar University (2004-2006). With 17 years of experience, Dr. Shibrie has held significant roles. She has been in her current position as Deputy Executive Director since July 2022. Before her current position, she served as Deputy Head of the Bureau at the Amhara National Regional Education Bureau in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (2015-2021). Prior to that, she was Head of the Women, Children, and Youth Affairs Department in the South Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, Dessie (2011-2015). Additionally, from 2007 to 2011, she held the role of Education Office Head at the Woreda Level and worked as a Teacher at the Preparatory Higher School (2006-2007). You can reach Dr. Shibrie Jorga via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Setitual Debalkie Deputy Executive Director (Enterprise Development)

Setitual Debalkie is the Deputy Executive Director (Enterprise Development) at ORDA Ethiopia. He holds a M.Sc. in Economics from Bahir Dar University (2010-2012) and a B.Sc. in Natural Resource Economics and Management (NREM) from Mekelle University (2003-2006). He has been in his current position as Deputy Executive Director since April 13, 2016. Setitual also held roles at ORDA Ethiopia as Grant Management Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer, and Business Development and Action Research Program Manager. In addition Setitual has extensive professional experience  in agriculture holding various roles, including Food Security Expert, Deputy Head of Agriculture and Rural Development Office, and Head of Environmental Protection and Land Administration Office in Dawunt Woreda, Ethiopia You can reach Setitual Debalkie via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..