Associate Director, Programs

Elebthel (“El”) Gebrehiwot is an international development specialist with over a decade of experience managing programs in workforce development, value chain assessment, agricultural productivity, and food security with a variety of funding mechanisms including USAID, USDA, the US Department of State, and independent foundations. As associate director, Programs at CNFA, Gebrehiwot oversees program implementation, strategy development, technical materials, monitoring and evaluation, and financial oversight of the USDA Food for Progress West Africa PRO-Cashew Project, the Feed the Future Mali Sugu Yiriwa activity, and the USAID Private Sector Activity.

Gebrehiwot first joined CNFA in 2020 as a Senior Program Officer, providing program management and technical support for the West Africa PRO-Cashew Project and the Maximizing Opportunities for Cacao Activity (MOCA) in Cote d’Ivoire.

Prior to joining CNFA, Gebrehiwot worked in the Economic Growth department at FHI 360 from 2014-2020, managing programs focused on workforce development, economic growth, and small and medium enterprise development. At FHI 360 Gebrehiwot was also involved in labor market assessments in Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe.

Gebrehiwot holds a Master of Arts in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Saint Cloud State University. Gebrehiwot is fluent in English, Amharic, and French.