Meet Our Team

McAlister, known by his nickname "Ace," is the founder and executive director of Bridge H2OPE, an organization that focuses on improving access to clean water, particularly in Ethiopian rural communities. Concurrently, he serves as the director of community conservation at Potomac Conservancy, illustrating his dedication to community involvement 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 background has provided him with a deep understanding of the critical balance between environmental stewardship, community leadership, and water conservation.

Born and raised in southern Ethiopia, McAlister's move to the United States at the age of 13 ignited his passion for community engagement and environmental awareness. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys sports, especially soccer and running, and values quality time with family and friends.

During his time at Trinity College, McAlister established H2OPE TC, a student club recognized by the Student Government Association. This innovative initiative has evolved into one of the active chapters of Bridge H2OPE, further emphasizing McAlister's commitment to fundraising and raising awareness for the Ethiopian bridge to clean drinking water.

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, a vision that became even clearer when she returned for the first time as a sophomore in college. This experience inspired her to pursue community empowerment and early childhood education through initiatives like the Ethiopian Bridge, which aims to strengthen connections with her homeland.

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, including its focus on the Ethiopian Bridge, as a powerful way to make a lasting impact.

Rabiya enjoys storytelling, exploring creative projects, and spending time with her family, friends, and God.

Winie Kirkos was born in Ethiopia and moved to the United States at the age of nine, carrying with her a deep connection to her heritage and the communities that shaped her early life. This connection makes her work with Bridge H2Ope especially meaningful, as Bridge H20pe provides sustainable water solutions directly in the country of her roots.

She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and has professional experience supporting organizational strategy, leadership development, and engagement initiatives, having worked at the American Institutes for Research and Deloitte to design programs and strategies that empowered people and organizations to thrive. 

Building on this experience, she serves as Director of Communications at Bridge H2OPE, leading storytelling, brand visibility, and engagement efforts that highlight the non-profit’s impact. Winie is passionate about leveraging her skills and personal connection to Ethiopia to amplify the mission, create meaningful partnerships, and foster long-term community resilience.

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, which is home to the H2OPE TC and the Bridge H2OPE student chapter, Will was actively involved in extracurricular activities, including running cross country and track & field, and serving as the president of the Computer Science Club in his senior year. Will's engagement with initiatives like the Ethiopian Bridge highlights his commitment to using technology for social good. 

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.

Mekdes, our lead fundraising team member, brings her passion and commitment to providing clean water to those in need as she works to build an Ethiopian bridge for access to essential resources. 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.

Obse serves as Programs and Operations Manager, bringing extensive experience in healthcare and nonprofit leadership. In this role, she oversees all programs and drives strategies that advance our mission to expand access to clean water. Recognizing that safe, reliable water is the cornerstone of human health, she is dedicated to ensuring communities have the resources they need to thrive.

Prior to joining Bridge H2OPE, Obse co-founded a nonprofit under People to People (P2P), connecting young diaspora professionals with Ethiopian institutions in Human Resource Development, Healthcare, and Education. Guided by her belief in sustainable health initiatives, she combines professional expertise with a passion for service to create lasting impact and improve quality of life for communities.

Ephrata Mangesha is a senior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, pursuing a degree in Individualized Studies with a concentration in Global Affairs, Technology, and Linguistic Inclusion, alongside a minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. 

Her Ethiopian upbringing has deeply shaped her commitment to advancing access to clean water and promoting sustainable development. With career aspirations in international development and advocacy, Ephrata is dedicated to peacebuilding, global cooperation, and driving meaningful social change. She was drawn to Bridge H2OPE’s mission of delivering clean water solutions to underserved communities and is passionate about contributing to this work while gaining new insights on creating lasting impact both locally and globally.