TEDx
ICS Addis Youth

Srikanth Velagaleti

Filmmaker & Storyteller

Based in the vibrant city of Mumbai, Srikanth Velagaleti is a seasoned filmmaker and storyteller with 15 years of experience in the Indian film industry. His directorial debut, Utt Pataang, garnered critical acclaim and showcased his talent alongside notable actors.

Passionate about philosophy, the environment, and animal welfare, he is set to release Dinchak Dinchak, a socially relevant film addressing the crucial topic of sex education for youth, reflecting his commitment to illuminating untold stories. With a dedication to pushing artistic boundaries, Srikanth continues to inspire through his diverse projects and lectures on filmmaking.

Fasika Adefris

Teacher & Storywriter

Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Fasika Adefris is an accomplished author and educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching Amharic from Addis Ababa University, along with a teaching certification from Moreland University.

Fasika has published 11 books, including "The Amusing Gift," recognized by former President Girma Wolde Giorgis for promoting tree planting, and "The Picnic in the Jungle" and "The Wise Bee," featured in UNICEF's "One Book for One Child" program. Her series featuring Yeshiharedg and her dog Butich highlights Ethiopian culture across various titles.

A passionate volunteer with Open Hearts Big Dreams (OHBD), Fasika promotes literacy by donating stories like "The Greedy Bird" and "The Butterfly" to children in Ethiopia.

Kidus Fisaha Asfaw

Founder & CEO of Kubik

Kidus Asfaw is the founder and CEO of Kubik, an environmental technology company turning hard-to-recycle plastic waste into low-carbon, affordable building materials. His work sits at the intersection of climate, infrastructure, and inclusive growth. Before founding Kubik, Kidus led global technology and innovation initiatives at UNICEF and worked with institutions including the World Bank, Accenture, and Google. Across these roles, he saw firsthand that lasting impact comes not from good intentions alone, but from building solutions that work at scale in the real economy. That insight drives his work today: building practical systems that reduce waste, lower costs, and expand access to safe, dignified living.

Munir Shemsu Mohammed

Editor-In-Chief at Shega Media and Technology

Munir S. Mohammed is a journalist, writer, and researcher based in Ethiopia. With hundreds of articles published in the country’s leading outlets, he has built a reputation for curiosity, rigor, and a data-driven approach to storytelling. Trained in economics, Munir brings analytical depth to his work, blending insight with narrative clarity.

An autodidact across multiple fields, he has also produced compelling personal stories on mental health, women’s rights, and labor issues. In addition to his reporting, Munir is an accomplished editor with versatile experience across a wide range of article types and formats, combining editorial precision with a keen understanding of audience engagement.

Mahlet Teklemariam

Owner of Clairvoyant Marketing Agency / Founder and Organizer of Hub of Africa Fashion Week

Born in Addis Ababa and raised in New York, Mahlet returned to Ethiopia in 2008 with a lifelong passion for fashion. She began her career as a fashion editor at Tadias Magazine in the USA. In 2009, she co-founded Hub of Africa Addis Fashion Week, inspired by major global fashion events.

HAFW aims to unify the African fashion industry, addressing the need for an annual platform that promotes sustainable development while providing visibility for African designers in the international market. The event not only showcases fashion but also includes workshops, seminars, and discussions to foster growth within the industry.