Class 23 (2024-2026)
Tibeb Abate Asfaw, Ethiopia
Duke University – Master in International Development Policy
Tibeb Abate Asfaw is an experienced professional in international development, with more than 16 years working across complex settings. She holds a BSc in Agricultural Engineering & Mechanization from Hawassa University and an MA in Social Work from Indira Gandhi National Open University, equipping her with both technical and social systems insight.
Tibeb has worked with organizations such as USAID, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Brooke Ethiopia, and World Vision Ethiopia, where she managed large-scale programs focused on food security, community well-being, and local partnership strengthening.
With support from The Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 7600, particularly the Rotary Club of Richmond, Tibeb is pursuing a Master’s in International Development Policy (MIDP) at Duke University beginning August 2024. This opportunity aligns with her long-term goal to strengthen local systems, expand global collaboration, and support inclusive, community-led development.
Her academic journey in the U.S. is guided by several goals: gaining deeper insight into international development strategies, building meaningful professional networks, and applying evidence-based approaches to support more effective, community-rooted programming. She hopes to use these tools to support equitable and sustainable development both in her home country and in communities around the world.