Meet Our Team
Weyessa McAlister (He/Him), Founder & Executive Director
McAlister, known by his nickname "Ace," is the founder and executive director of Bridge H2OPE. Concurrently, he holds the position of director of community conservation at Potomac Conservancy, showcasing his commitment to community and clean water advocacy. Graduating with distinction from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a minor in music production, McAlister's academic journey has equipped him with a profound understanding of the delicate balance between environmental stewardship, community leadership, and water conservation.
Born and raised in southern Ethiopia, McAlister's relocation to the United States at the age of 13 sparked a passion for community engagement and environmental awareness. Beyond his professional pursuits, he finds joy in sports, particularly soccer and running, as well as cherishing moments with family and friends.
While at Trinity College McAlister founded H2OPE TC, a student club on campus recognized by the Student Government Association. This visionary project has grown to become one of the active chapters of Bridge H2OPE, underscoring McAlister's commitment to raising funds and awareness to bring clean drinking water to Ethiopian rural communities.
Rabiya Eshete (She/Her), Director of Development
Rabiya was born in Ethiopia and moved to Chicago at the age of 8, where she graduated from Loyola University with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing. It has always been her vision to help her community back in Ethiopia. That vision became even clearer when she returned for the first time as a sophomore in college, an experience that inspired her to pursue community empowerment and early childhood education.
At Bridge H2OPE, Rabiya manages the development and fundraising team by ensuring execution of strategic fundraising goals and strengthening donor relationships. She is passionate about connecting people and resources to meaningful causes and sees Bridge H2OPE’s mission as a powerful way to make a lasting impact.
Rabiya enjoys storytelling, exploring creative projects, and spending time with her family, friends and God.
Mekdes Tesfaye (She/Her), Fundraising Team
Mekdes, our lead fundraising team member, brings her passion and commitment to providing clean water to those in need. Her journey began in high school with Hope for Haiti, where she played an instrumental role in fundraising and building partnerships with local organizations to fund the construction of a cistern. Mekdes firmly believes that access to clean drinking water is a human right and should not be lacking in a country abundant in natural water resources.
As the leader of our fundraising team, Mekdes is dedicated to bringing clean water to the people of Ethiopia. She is proud to be part of this essential work, contributing to the well-being and health of her community. Mekdes’ dedication and experience make her a valuable asset to our team as we strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.
Will Estony (He/Him), Technical Support
Will is our dedicated Tech Supporter who currently works as a software engineer for Fairmarkit in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Trinity College in 2021 with a major in Computer Science and a minor in English Literature. During his time at Trinity College (Home to H2OPE TC, Bridge H2OPE student chapter), Will was actively involved in extracurricular activities, running cross country and track & field, and serving as the president of the Computer Science Club in his senior year.
Outside of work, Will enjoys running, traveling, and playing bar trivia with his friends. His technical expertise and enthusiasm for problem-solving make him an invaluable asset to our team. Will’s commitment to using technology to support our mission is essential in helping us achieve our goals and make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
Your bids can change lives
Bridge H2OPE has partnered with Arts for Global Development to organize an online art auction. All proceeds will go towards supporting Bridge H2OPE's mission of providing clean drinking water to rural Ethiopian Communities.