# Tewodros Tadesse Araya

> Tewodros Tadesse Araya is the Ethiopian founder and CEO of the Center for African Leadership Studies (CALS) and xHub Addis. He established CALS in 2012, with xHub following in 2014, combining leadership education and entrepreneurship support. His public work includes coaching, mentor development and partnerships supporting young businesses.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at CALS / xHub Addis
- **Organizations:** Center for African Leadership Studies (CALS), xHub Addis, Social Enterprise Ethiopia
- **Nationality:** Ethiopian
- **Education:** Master of Letters, Omega Graduate School
- **Known for:** Founded CALS and xHub Addis., Founding member of Social Enterprise Ethiopia., Led an organisation whose 2021 Young Africa Works graduation included 20 startups and 137 certified business mentors.

## Career timeline

- **2012** — Established the Center for African Leadership Studies.
- **2014** — xHub Addis launched as a CALS initiative.
- **2021** — CALS/xHub participated in Young Africa Works and AHUN entrepreneurship support programmes.
- **2023** — Listed among Master of Letters graduates in Omega Graduate School’s annual report.
- **2024** — Contributed insights to a comparative report on entrepreneur support ecosystems in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.

## Achievements

- Founded CALS and xHub Addis.
- Founding member of Social Enterprise Ethiopia.
- Led an organisation whose 2021 Young Africa Works graduation included 20 startups and 137 certified business mentors.
- CALS became a Women’s Empowerment Principles signatory on 7 April 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2024-12** — xHub advertised him as a speaker for a 6 December Global Entrepreneurship Week Facebook Live conversation alongside Bejai Naiker Nerash.
- **2024-05** — At the QesBeQes closing event, he discussed five incubated startups, including two that had secured GIZ contracts.

## Links

- Website: https://mycals.net/who-we-are/
- LinkedIn: https://et.linkedin.com/in/tewodros-tadesse-araya-67080529

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tewodros-tadesse-araya
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22