Nebil Kellow is the Managing Director of FC, with a career spanning over two decades in the development sector. Prior to his current role, Nebil gained valuable experience at McKinsey & Co. and in the UK investment industry. His strategic mindset and deep understanding of business operations have been influential in FC’s success. Under Nebil’s leadership, FC has collaborated with major international donors on projects that have significantly contributed to development outcomes, including job creation, increased investment and policy changes. Nebil is passionate about empowering youth and women, recognizing their potential for growth and transformation and has built a robust network of sectoral expertise and intra-continental talent base in Africa. His achievements and dedication to excellence have positioned him as a prominent leader in this industry.

Dr. Ahmed is the Chairperson of FC, bringing over six decades of leadership and business expertise across multiple industries. With more than 60 years of experience, he has held some of the most prominent executive roles in Ethiopia’s corporate landscape. He served as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, led Coca-Cola Ethiopia as Managing Director and later Chairman, and was Managing Director of GCS-NCR Ethiopia, one of the country’s foremost IT firms. His career also includes serving as General Manager of several Ethiopian enterprises and teaching Business and Finance at Cardiff Business School. Dr. Ahmed is fluent in English, Amharic, Harari, and Arabic.

Michael is a private sector development expert with extensive hands-on experience in business management and development projects, with a focus in the financial and manufacturing sectors. Previously, Michael “Mike” served as the Technical Director for the Enterprise Partners Programme. He also worked for the World Bank for five years as a Financial Management Specialist for the PSNP, one of the largest social protection programmes in Ethiopia. In 2013, Michael founded Nisir Microfinance, a pioneering financial institution focused on serving medium, small and micro enterprises that are often overlooked by traditional financial institutions.

Meron is a fellow of ACCA with more than 17 years of experience in leadership roles. As the Commercial Director and General Manager at FC, she leverages her expertise to implement internal control systems and ensure compliance with organisational processes. Meron is actively involved in strategic decision-making, project management, and financial planning for FC and its clients, including UNDP, the World Bank, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Prior to her role at FC, Meron acquired valuable experience in several sectors, such as agriculture, oil and energy, manufacturing, and hospitality, where she held positions from mid to senior management. Her diverse background allows her to deliver innovative solutions and drive financial success for FC.

Haben Woldu is an Ethiopian born, American educated professional with over 15 years of experience. She is the Operations Director- Programs of First Consult. Haben has strong organizational skills, a
natural aptitude for numbers and brings a positive energy and drive to her workplace. A graduate of the MBA program at Willamette University, her education has given her the ability to be an agile change manager. Over the years, she has honed her skills in managing cross-functional teams, implementing operational improvements, and developing strategic plans to drive results that have resulted in significant cost savings and steady growth for the organizations she has been a part of. Haben’s strong leadership skills combined with her ability to think creatively and outside the box, has made her a valuable asset to all the companies that she has worked for. She has a mentoring and coaching leadership style as she is hands on and leads by example in her teams.

Wengel is a Business Development Director with over ten years of experience in private and public sector development programs in Ethiopia and USA. In her current and past positions, Wengelawit supports complex and multi-year development projects with a value of millions of USD in different capacities including: planning, designing, and managing. Wengelawit is skillful in building a network of contacts with senior officials in governmental, international, and private sector circles. Wengel is bilingual (English-Amharic) with extensive knowledge of the local dynamics and work environment in Ethiopia as well as other multicultural work environments. She has a BA and Masters of Arts in Economics from Addis Ababa University and Masters of Arts in Global Economics from Eastern Illinois University.

Henok oversees the technical and operational management of projects at FC, including the BRIDGES Programme. With over 18 years of experience, he has diverse background in business advisory, consultancy services, business management, investment advisory, training, and team leadership. Prior to his role at FC, Henok worked in various global and local organisations including Ernst & Young and the International Financial Corporation, where he gained extensive experience advising Ethiopian and international companies on strategic value creation, business plan development, financial forecasting, organisation transformation, and performance management. His hands-on experience as a core management team member in various organisations has equipped him with a deeper understanding of the business and financial sector landscapes, both locally and globally.

Kenno is a development professional with over 18 years of experience in microfinance, SME financing, and project management. He has successfully led his team through two phases of the European Investment Bank’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Program (WEDP) Technical Assistance Facility and currently leads the MESMER Programme. Kenno has a proven track record of successfully implementing projects for international organisations such as the World Bank and DAI. He has provided technical assistance to financial institutions in areas such as risk management, financial management, and institutional capacity building. Kenno is also an experienced trainer and mentor, dedicated to fostering growth and development in the sector.