Brief Bio (150 words)

Semhar Araia is the CEO of The Diaspora Academy, a global advisory firm and leadership institute supporting diaspora changemakers. A lawyer and strategist, she has advised the African Union, United Nations, governments, foundations and non-profits worldwide. She previously led Diaspora Policy at Meta and Diaspora Partnerships at UNICEF USA. Semhar began as a lawyer for the implementation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia peace process and a public policy advisor for Oxfam International, U.S. Congress, and The Elders. A recognized voice in diaspora affairs, Semhar is a 2012 White House Champion of Change, AU Diaspora Awardee, and one of the Smithsonian’s featured Next-Generation Voices. She’s also listed among The Root’s 100, MIPAD’s Top 100, and OkayAfrica’s Top 100 Women. Her work has been featured in the BBC, Financial Times, Al Jazeera and The Guardian. Born in New York City, she is based in Washington, D.C.

Short Bio (250 words)

Semhar Araia is the CEO and founder of The Diaspora Academy, an innovative institute advancing diaspora leadership, engagement, and impact. A globally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and policy expert, Semhar has over 25 years of experience shaping diaspora engagement, African affairs, women’s leadership, and global development.

Named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) and honored by President Barack Obama as a White House Champion of Change, Semhar has received numerous global accolades for her pioneering work. She is also featured in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture as one of five individuals in its Next-Generation Voices exhibit.

Prior to launching The Diaspora Academy, Semhar built and led the Diaspora Public Policy function at Meta, advising the Africa, Middle East, and Turkey Public Policy team. She also led UNICEF USA’s national diaspora partnerships portfolio, working with immigrant-led organizations to expand philanthropic engagement. Her policy expertise is grounded in prior roles with Oxfam International, the U.S. House of Representatives, and The Elders, the international organization founded by Nelson Mandela.

A lawyer by training, Semhar began her career supporting the implementation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia peace agreement. She has testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and ECOSOC, and has spoken at international platforms including the International Organization for Migration, Concordia Summit, and the International Conference on Eritrean Studies.

Today, Semhar leads The Diaspora Academy’s strategic vision, focusing on public speaking, consulting, and high-impact advisory work to help changemakers define, design, and launch diaspora-driven initiatives. Her work bridges local organizing with global diplomacy, amplifying the voices of diaspora communities to shape public policy, philanthropy, and innovation.

Semhar received her undergraduate degree from the University of Saint Thomas and her law degree from Marquette University Law School.  She is a former Council on Foreign Relations Term Member, served on USAID’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Voluntary Aid, and has been featured in media including the Financial Times, BBC, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and Ventures Africa. She frequently delivers talks across the U.S. and abroad, guiding audiences through the power, complexity, and impact of diaspora leadership.

Born in New York City to Eritrean parents and based in Washington, D.C., Semhar is a proud daughter of immigrants, a mother, a sister and a mentor committed to helping others create the spaces they wish existed.

Full Bio

As the CEO and founder of The Diaspora Academy, Semhar Araia is a recognized thought leader, strategic advisor and policy practitioner on diaspora engagement, African affairs, women's leadership and global development.  She has been named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent, and is the recipient of global awards and honors for her work. 

Semhar built and led the Diaspora Public Policy at Meta (formerly known as Facebook) for the Africa, Middle East and Turkey Public Policy team. She also led UNICEF USA's diaspora partnerships, building philanthropic partnerships with diaspora organizations. Her earlier roles include serving as a public policy advisor at Oxfam International, the US House of Representatives and Nelson Mandela’s organization, The Elders. A lawyer by training, Semhar began her career as an attorney for the implementation of the 2000 Eritrea-Ethiopia peace agreement.

Semhar testified as an expert witness to Congress' Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and the United Nations ECOSOC.  She has delivered remarks before the International Organization for Migration, Concordia Summit, and the International Conference of Eritrean Studies, among others. 

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