About EHFINA
Documenting, Celebrating & Passing it Forward
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EHFINA: Preserving a Rich Legacy
Ethiopian immigration to the United States spans over half a century, and today, the Ethiopian community stands as one of the largest African immigrant groups in the country. Official estimates place the population at approximately 305,800, making it the second-largest African diaspora after Nigeria—though some sources suggest the actual number may exceed one million. Despite its size and growing influence, the history, cultural contributions, and lived experiences of Ethiopian immigrants remain largely absent from mainstream narratives.
To bridge this gap, the Ethiopian Heritage Foundation in North America (EHFINA) was established. Committed to preserving, celebrating, and amplifying the legacy of Ethiopian immigrants, EHFINA works to ensure our stories, traditions, and societal contributions are documented and shared for future generations. Through its initiatives, the foundation fosters a deeper understanding of Ethiopian immigrant’s vibrant heritage and its enduring impact on North American society.
Our Vision
A vibrant and enduring presence of Ethiopian heritage in North America — documented, preserved, and passed on to future generations.
Our Mission
To document and maintain the Ethiopian heritage while showcasing its contributions to the multicultural society in North America through innovative and collaborative programs.
Our Values
We are guided by a strong set of values that reflect our heritage and commitment:
Respect & Preservation
Honoring Ethiopia’s diverse cultural legacy and safeguarding it for the future.
Diversity & Inclusion
Celebrating the cultural richness within our communities and promoting unity.
Innovation
Applying modern, creative methods to heritage documentation.
Collaboration
Partnering with organizations and individuals to amplify impact.
Transparency
Operating with integrity and openness in everything we do.
EHFINA Board
Daniel Getachew
Founder and Chair, EHFINA
Daniel Getachew, a native of Ethiopia, works and lives in Houston, TX. Daniel has a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degrees from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX. Currently, he works as a Lead Research Administrator at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX.
Daniel currently serves as the Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Ethiopian Heritage Foundation in North America (EHFINA). Daniel is also involved in multiple initiatives, including in global health and health-care improvement for underserved communities and water resource development in Ethiopia. He serves as Founder and President of Global Initiative for Better Health (GIBH) and Founder and Chair of GERD International Collaborative Consortium (GICC). He served two terms as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Community Organization in Houston, Texas, from 2019 to 2025. Daniel has received the US President’s Volunteer Service Award for his extensive community service.
Behailu Atnafu
Public Relations
Behailu Atnafu is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, now known as the Ale School of Fine Arts & Design at Addis Ababa University. He further pursued his passion for the arts by studying painting at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Canada. His creative journey also includes studies in graphic design at Ryerson University and Centennial College, as well as CGI animation at the Bell Centre in Toronto.
Since 2009, Behailu has served as the Manager of Multimedia Communications at the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, which represents over 80,000 members. Prior to this role, he worked as a Graphic Designer and Web Specialist, building a strong foundation in visual communication and digital media.
Beyond his professional work, Behailu is actively involved in community service. He is a co-founder of the prestigious Bikila Awards and serves on the executive teams of both AFGIC and GICC. He currently holds the role of Public Relations Officer on the Board of Directors for the Ethiopian Heritage Foundation in North America (EHFINA).
Behailu’s dedication and excellence in both his profession and community work have earned him numerous accolades, including the Hermes Creative Gold Award. Most recently, he was honored with the Arbor Award from the University of Toronto in recognition of his outstanding community service.
Hirout Dagnew
Secretary
Hirout Dagnew was born and raised in Ethiopia and immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and three children.
A dedicated educator, Hirout spent over 30 years as a National Board Certified elementary school teacher before retiring. Today, she continues to serve her community through leadership in a local Ethiopian organization and as a Board Member of the Ethiopian Heritage Foundation in North America (EHFINA).
Hirout is deeply passionate about documenting immigrant stories for future generations, supporting immigrant community development, and preserving Ethiopian cultural heritage. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UCLA and a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University.
Aklilu Adeye
Treasurer
Aklilu Adeye has been active since the inception of EFIHNA serving both as a member of its board of directors and treasurer.
In his professional capacity, Aklilu Adeye is serving as the Executive Director of the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC) since January 2016. He previously served ECAC as Program Director since 2009. Aklilu has considerable experience in strategic leadership, program development, planning, and administration across a variety of human service programs and services. He also has experience as a Program and Research Analyst at the International Legal and Business Services Group Law Office in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Before moving to the United States, Aklilu served as Lecturer of Political Science & International Relations of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia where he also served as Assistant Dean for the College of Social Sciences, Freshman Program and engaged in various research undertakings in areas of local government, ethnicity, minority issues and decentralization. Aklilu received a Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude) in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Public Administration from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He pursued postgraduate studies and obtained a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Northwestern University, respectively.
This website is supported by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Humanities Texas.