Our Team
Meet our Coaches and Staff
Blaine Kebede / Executive Director
Blaine serves as the Girls Gotta Run Executive Director. She is an Ethiopian-American born and raised in Philadelphia, and holds a BS in Accounting & Finance, coupled with a minor in Chinese Language & Literature from the University of Delaware. Before joining Girls Gotta Run Foundation, Blaine worked as a business consultant at EY and Deloitte, where she supported organizations in strengthening financial, operational, and strategic systems. Through her work, Blaine is committed to empowering young women and girls across Ethiopia to recognize their power and unlock their full potential.
Amsal Ayele / Coach, Soddo Program
Coach Amsal serves as the Girls Gotta Run Soddo Program coach and is a native of Wolaida. In her youth, she proudly represented Soddo as an athlete in regional volleyball competitions. She holds a BA in Sport Science and brings her passion for athletics and youth development to her work with Girls Gotta Run. In her free time, Amsal enjoys running and can often be seen exercising with her children in her Soddo neighborhood.
Sukuare Nure / Program Manager, Bekoji Program
Sukuare serves as Girls Gotta Run's Program Coordinator and Life Skills Mentor in Bekoji. She joined the organization in 2014 after graduating from Asella University with a degree in Tourism. In her role, Sukuare oversees the Bekoji program, works closely with the Mothers’ Savings Group, and leads the implementation of the life skills curriculum. Through her leadership and dedication, she serves as a powerful role model for the girls in the program and for the broader community.
Fatiya Abdi / Coach, Bekoji Program
Fatiya is the first female running coach in Bekoji, Ethiopia—widely known as the “Town of Runners” for producing world-class Olympic champions. She trained as an apprentice under Coach Sentayehu, the legendary coach who developed many of Bekoji’s greatest athletes. A talented runner herself, Fatiya trained and competed alongside elite athletes, including Tirunesh and Genzebe Dibaba. Since joining Girls Gotta Run in 2012, she has served as both an exceptional coach and a powerful role model for the girls she mentors.
Kidist Daniel / Program Manager, Soddo Program
Kidist serves as the In-Country Program Manager Girls Gotta Run and brings a wide range of experience, having worked as a teacher, translator, tour guide, guesthouse manager, community development professional, and social worker. She earned a diploma in teaching Amharic and English from Arbaminch Teachers Training College, a BA in English Language and Literature from Wolaita Sodo University, and a BA in Business Administration from Abyssinia University. She also has an MA in Applied Linguistics and Communication from Wolaita Sodo University. Kidist has received extensive training in small business development, life skills, child safeguarding, conflict de-escalation, trauma-informed approaches, and community development methodologies. She brings deep knowledge, compassion, and a welcoming presence to the girls and families in the program.
Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
Board Member
Board Member and Treasurer
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Local Chapters
Interested in starting or joining a local chapter? Let us know!
Our Program Partners are something special
We’re proud to partner with local organizations that work tirelessly to empower girls and families in their communities.
Girls Gotta Run has established a partnership with Imagine 1 Day, an NGO focused on building an Ethiopia in which every child receives free, quality education. Girls Gotta Run is proud to partner with Imagine 1 Day to provide robust academic scholarships for girls from disadvantaged communities in Soddo, Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Women’s and Children’s Affairs Office
Girls Gotta Run works closely with the local and regional Women’s and Children’s Office in Bekoji to monitor and oversee program implementation. Girls Gotta Run collaborates with these government offices to build tailored solutions to the unique challenges that girls and women face in the Bekoji community.
Ethiopian Youth and Sport Office
Girls Gotta Run works with the National Ethiopian Youth and Sports Office to connect athletes with opportunities to race in local and national competitions. This partnership also provides opportunities for Girls Gotta Run Athletic Scholars to meet female role models in the Ethiopia Athletics Federation and for Girls Gotta Run to align our athletic training curriculum with the national standard.