Kalkidan Mulugeta is an Ethiopian tech entrepreneur and co-founder of ClearSkies Technology, a company that works in information technology and telcom services in Ethiopia. She is always seeking that fresh insight that changes the way she sees the world. Kalkidan’s journey has taken her through Addis, Nairobi, Seattle, Philadelphia, Windhoek, and back again to Addis. And, each of these chapters has enriched her story and shaped the thoughtful, vibrant woman she is today.
In this episode, Kalkidan discusses her studies in public health and, while working on her Master’s degree, becoming interested in the field of health technology… after graduation, having an internship at the Sub-Saharan Africa Chamber of Commerce, an organization working in Trade between Sub-Saharan Africa and the U.S.… while at the Chamber, applying for, and winning, a grant to build a mobile app to track the statistics of road traffic accidents in Namibia, where she also nurtured her adventurous side and hiked the dunes of Sossusvlei… imposter syndrome… in analyzing the data of road traffic accidents, building a collaboration between public health and the private sector… recognizing the importance of understanding mobile technology… building her business and career in mobile technology… how being prepared for meetings and events builds self-confidence… the power of female friendship… the reminder that we write the rules of our life… the importance of taking time to know ourselves… and her love of storytelling and of listening to other people’s stories.
