OUR U.S. TEAM
Rita Khayat is an IT Executive with over 30 years of experience in strategic IT, digital business transformation, enterprise systems implementations, global technology operations and M&A integrations. Originally from Lebanon, Rita had the opportunity to travel to over 35 countries, and was privileged to live in 6 countries across 3 continents which led her to absorb and respect the cultural differences of the world. She has a passion to develop people who are underprivileged and underserved, in particular, the single moms in developing countries, which is the mission of Tabitha Reach. Rita holds a Masters in Business Administration and Computer Science from Polytech Montpellier, France and a B.S. degree in Economic Sciences from the University of Bordeaux, France.
Lily Olgiati is a Psychotherapist and International Public Speaker who uses creative elements to bring her messages of hope and transformation to life. Originally from South Wales, United Kingdom, she relocated to the United States with her family in 2011 – where she currently serves as the Women’s Ministries Pastor at Family Community Church in San Jose, CA. Lily has a passion to empower, inspire and encourage women of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities to come together and be all that they were created to be. Lily is convinced that every woman has a purpose, and loves nothing more than to stand in agreement with them as they walk out the journey that will allow them to fulfill their purpose. Lily holds an M.A. in Integrative Counselling and Psychology from the University of South Wales, Newport.
Carla Brandt-Fenner is a retired career banker with over 30 years experience in managing teams. Originally from Chicagoland area, she currently resides in San Jose, CA. She has a passion for using her experiences with team development and her love of the Ethiopian women to empower and encourage the Tabitha Reach participants. She enjoys seeing these women embrace the six-month program that teaches them income-generating skills so that they can provide for their families. These skills and trainings are also helping the women understand their value as well as how they can change their lives to thrive. Carla attended College of Lake County, Grayslake Illinois.
OUR ETHIOPIA TEAM
Semeret “Semri” Demeke is the oldest of five children, born and raised in Addis Ababa. Semeret has a B.A. in Economics and a Masters in Holistic Child Development. Prior to joining Tabitha Reach, she worked for 5 years as a Communication Officer for Children’s HopeChest Ethiopia. She has always been interested in her country’s development and growth. During her two years working at Compassion International, she was able to have the opportunity to meet with beneficiaries and saw that women/mothers and children were the biggest group that were affected by the large developmental gap. This is why she ended up studying Holistic Child Development – to help her learn more about creating a responsible and equipped citizen in the country. In creating a responsible citizen, parents play a big role and in Ethiopia’s context, women are the sole caregiver and nearer to their child than the father. When the door to join Tabitha Reach was opened, it didn’t take her long to grasp the opportunity because this organization is working for single mothers who are heroes but don’t have a means to better support their children and themselves. She has joined Tabitha Reach with a full heart and passion to help the organization achieve its goal to support the women/single mothers.
Tehetna is a Marketing Management graduate (BA) and a Community Development graduate candidate (MA) at the Ethiopian graduate School of Theology. While working on her first degree, she got the chance to work with a reputable import company, Hagbes PVT Ltd Co. where she had the chance to experience what a professional work environment looked like. Since then, she has worked with companies engaged in the financial sector but was always passionate to work with vulnerable community groups. As a result, she has been involved with several voluntary opportunities at different organizations as well as studying Community Development. She is passionate about many things, but her family takes the top and most important part of her list. A strong, God-fearing and beautiful mom who raised her and her sister is the anchor of their family. She is also passionate about traveling, especially to the countryside. She equally loves spending time with children. She loves playing with them and teaching them stories from the Bible and others. Due to these reasons, she has been teaching Sunday school at her church for the past five years. She is excited to be a part of Tabitha Reach’s team and cannot wait to contribute more to the organization. She promises to work honestly and diligently to meet our vision.
Tigist is married and a mother of three children (two in this picture). She has a B.A. in Economics, an M.A. in Leadership and Management and an M.A. in Development Studies specializing in Gender and Health. She has a rich work history experienced in teaching, supporting small business owners, program organization, training various groups, program monitoring and evaluation. She is passionate about helping to improve the lives of the women of Tabitha Reach . We are excited to have Tigist join the Tabitha Reach team and look forward to seeing her positive impact on the team and the single mothers that will benefit from her passion and drive.
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