Growing up in an underserved rural community in Georgia, where women’s dreams were silenced and their needs unmet, Tekle chose to study law to learn how public systems can serve everyone equitably. At the National Democratic Institute (NDI), she worked with citizens and local governments across Georgia, guiding efforts to improve policymaking, foster civic engagement, and strengthen Gender Equality Councils. Tekle helped amplify underrepresented voices, particularly women’s, to advance gender-responsive budgeting.

Georgia’s democratic backsliding, with restrictive laws and abolished gender quotas, pains Tekle deeply yet motivates her to drive change. As someone from a nation where 20% of the territory remains occupied by Russia, Tekle is driven to build resilient institutions that empower people and stand strong - shaping a world that is better led, better served, and better governed. Tekle is a Weidenfeld Hoffman scholar.