About the Founder...
Welcome, and thank you for choosing to collaborate with Deldeyoch—a name that means "bridges" in Amharic.
From a young age, I dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, a conscious traveler, and a seeker of truth—a free spirit driven by purpose. Raised in a hardworking, entrepreneurial family, I learned the values of financial independence, discipline, and ambition. These principles, combined with a thirst for knowledge, led me to explore the world through travel, diverse careers, and education, ultimately shaping my passion for building Deldeyoch.
After establishing myself as a successful executive in Ethiopia and the U.S., I felt ready to pursue a more impactful path. Despite a thriving career in the financial industry, I chose to invest in Africa’s potential, focusing on economic and social development. My vision was to transition the continent from aid to trade by creating sustainable, inclusive solutions.
While pursuing my MBA in Seattle, I was headhunted to co-found an innovative commercial bank in Ethiopia, becoming the youngest woman COO in the country. I led the creation of policies, hired senior management, and aligned the visions of stakeholders, resulting in a pioneering institution that broke even in its first year—a rare global achievement.
After this success, I took a sabbatical to reflect on my next steps. I traveled solo across Ethiopia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S., seeking clarity on how to contribute to Africa’s development. My goal was to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by leveraging technology and providing access to capital, blending Ethiopia’s protective spirit with global entrepreneurial creativity.
Throughout my journey, I remained committed to fostering sustainable economic development in Ethiopia. I served as the first CEO of Ethiopia’s Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDI) in collaboration with UNDP and the government, prioritizing impact over titles or perks. I chose projects with ownership buy-in, streamlined systems, and focused on inclusion and sustainability.
The push to launch Deldeyoch came as a tribute to my fathers—my mentors and idols—who taught me the importance of discipline, faith, and service. My mothers, sisters, and friends also inspired me to navigate patriarchal systems with courage and authenticity. Traveling solo, reading extensively, and embracing life’s challenges made me self-aware, empathetic, and fearless. I learned to navigate the complexities of an emerging market—power outages, inflation, gender bias, and civil unrest—through lived experience.
Deldeyoch’s mission is to create a network of conscious entrepreneurs who drive impactful change through knowledge-sharing, workshops, and community living. My goal is to build a sustainable lifestyle that nurtures spirit, health, and wealth while embodying service, gratitude, and compassion. By staying authentic, I hope to create a space where others feel valued, heard, and inspired to continue our ancestors’ legacy.
Celebrating Deldeyoch’s 15 years, I am grateful for the collaborations that have allowed us to complete over 20 projects in emerging markets and travel to 30 countries, half of which were traveling in Africa. We look forward to serving you with innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to help you achieve your vision of success.
Thank you for your support, insights, and constructive feedback.
Dutchess @deldeyoch.com
“Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill nothing but time.” ☆ Conscious Travel
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"Bridging the gap to enhance the business ecosystem by fostering inclusivity, driving innovation, creating impactful solutions, embracing digitalization, promoting sustainability, and ensuring profitability."
