Empathy & Respect
Compassionate, stigma-free care.
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About Us
Alliance for Understanding Recovery & Awareness (AURA) is a registered Ethiopian Civil Society Organization creating accessible, culturally attuned safe spaces for mental health support.
Mission, vision, and values
Our mission
To create accessible, culturally attuned safe spaces for mental health support and stigma reduction by empowering youth, leveraging digital innovation, and driving multi-stakeholder action.
Our vision
A society where mental wellness is understood, valued, protected, and accessible to all—free from stigma and exclusion.
Core values
Inclusivity & Accessibility
Equitable outreach for all.
Integrity & Transparency
Ethical and accountable governance.
Community-Centered Care
Safe spaces and peer resilience.
Strategic Collaboration
Partnerships for systemic impact.
Governance & legal compliance
AURA (Alliance for Understanding Recovery & Awareness) is officially registered as an Ethiopian Civil Society Organization (CSO) under Proclamation No. 1113/2011. We adhere to national governance regulations and international non-profit best practices to ensure full operational transparency and impact accountability.
Our leadership & governance
Guided by vision, grounded in accountability, and driven by community impact.
Rediet Feleke
Founder & Executive Director
Rediet Feleke is the Founder and Executive Director of AURA. As the primary visionary behind the initiative, she directs organizational strategy, cross-sector partnerships, and community program execution to advance accessible, stigma-free mental health support across Ethiopian communities.
Recognized for outstanding contributions to community mental health
Simret Gashaw
Co-Founder
Simret Gashaw is a Co-Founder of AURA, driving strategic outreach, community engagement, and program development. She plays a key role in shaping AURA's foundational mission, expanding support networks, and fostering safe, inclusive spaces for mental health awareness.
Meseret Gossa
Co-Founder
Meseret Gossa is a Co-Founder of AURA, contributing to organizational vision, initiative design, and stakeholder collaboration. She works closely with the founding team to build sustainable pathways for mental health advocacy and community recovery.
The Board
Prof. Mubarek Abera Mengistie
Board Chairman
Full Professor of Mental Health and Nutrition with over 15 years of experience in academia, health system leadership, and international research collaborations. Lead consultant for national strategic initiatives (UNICEF/MoH) and a widely published author. He provides overall board stewardship, focusing on institutional strategy, academic alignment, research integrity, and senior advisory leadership.
Ms. Rediet Dadi Tafa
Board Member
Senior psychologist, training director, and psychotherapist with over 5 years of experience leading nationwide personal development and psychological training initiatives. She leverages her background in trauma-focused therapy and capacity building so AURA initiatives deliver measurable behavioral change and community impact.
Asst. Prof. Anteneh Fikrie Tekola
Board Member
Assistant Professor of Public Health, Director of Research & International Partnerships at Bule Hora University, external PhD candidate (Maastricht University), and PLoS ONE editor. He ensures our public health and research methodologies are ethically sound, rigorous, and positioned for international institutional partnerships.
Dr. Tamrat Tefera Ali
Board Member
Assistant professor of psychiatry, certified psychotherapist (University of Toronto), and specialist in child and adolescent mental health. He provides strategic guidance so therapeutic, training, and community outreach programs meet high clinical standards.
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Ms. Ruth Tesfaye Tegen
Board Member
Dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and community-driven social initiatives. She focuses on creating inclusive, accessible spaces that empower young people to lead mental health advocacy efforts.