On a radiant Saturday afternoon, the Tena Link journey officially began with an exclusive founders’ summit at the Black Lion Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University. Gathering all of our visionary shareholders for the first time, this event marked the birth of a movement to revolutionize sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Ethiopia.

Sealing Our Commitment: Contract Signing
The centerpiece of the summit was our contract-signing ceremony. One by one, each shareholder signed the founding agreement, symbolizing a collective pledge to Tena Link’s mission. As the final signature was placed, the room broke into applause—celebrating not just a legal formality, but the shared promise to empower women, girls, and their communities with culturally and faith-sensitive health solutions.

“By signing today, we sign our commitment to every Ethiopian who deserves respectful, accurate SRHR information,” said Dr. Berket Admasu, Medical Doctor.

Charting the Course: Leadership Roles
With the agreement in hand, we enthusiastically assigned our initial leadership positions:

• CEO & Founder: Bernabas Petros (PhD Candidate)
• Deputy CEO: Nanati Beker
• Chief Operating Officer: Zekariyas Teshager
• Chief Technology Officer: Biftu Shibbire
• Chief Information Officer: Gemechu Girma
• Chief Marketing Officer: Selihom Demeke
• Chief Legal Officer: Selam Fikadu
• Chief Customer Officer: Yordanos Seyoum
• Chief Medical Officer: Dr Bereket Admasu
• Chief Financial Officer: Yanet Asrat
• Research Officer: Nolawit Kebede (PhD Candidate)

Each leader shared a brief vision statement, outlining how they will drive Tena Link forward—from technology strategy to community relationships.

Vision, Mission, Purpose: A Time to Share
Over steaming cups of coffee and savory snacks provided by Guansa Restaurant, each founder took a moment to share their “why”:

• Bernabas (PhD Candidate): Technology must not be imported blindly—it must be localized, culturally aware, and rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu: ‘I am because we are.’ We must create solutions that respect the cultural and religious context of our communities, not erase them.
• Nanati: Spoke of girls no longer missing school during their period.
• Zekariyas: Described building secure, culturally aware technology.
• Biftu: Highlighted the blend of science with empathy.
• Selam: Reflected on SRHR as an expression of spiritual stewardship.
• Nolawit (PhD Candidate): Spoke passionately about amplifying community voices.

Their collective stories wove into a tapestry of purpose: to unite innovation, research, and faith-informed guidance.

Building Bonds & Looking Ahead
Thanks to Mr. Kebede Wondu for flawlessly facilitating our meeting room—complete with projector, seating, and all essential tools—and Guansa Restaurant for creating an inviting coffee and networking session, the summit felt both professional and warm. Between laughs, brainstorming, and planning, we mapped out:

• Early app feature road maps
• Content module timelines
• Community pilot plans

As the afternoon wrapped, bonds had been forged and a clear path set. With strong governance in place, Tena Link is now poised to transition from vision to reality.

What’s Next?
Stay tuned for:

• Prototype demos of our culturally and religiously adaptive Period app
• Research updates from AAU and partner institutions
• Early access invitations for our waiting-list community

April 26 was more than a kickoff—it was the spark that will guide every step forward. Together, we’re making transformation possible.