Nigist Mengesha grew up in Ethiopia where she acquired an education as a social worker and educator. After marrying and having four children, she realized a lifelong dream and immigrated to Israel alone, with her family following shortly after.

Once in Israel, she faced the struggles and hardships of being a new immigrant in a foreign land – from racism and prejudice to glass ceilings waiting to be shattered.

Nigist not only survived, but flourished. Drawing on her own experience and education, she founded national initiatives for the welfare of new immigrants, particularly those from her homeland of Ethiopia. Today, she manages the youth and education department of her local municipality.