10 Facts About Eleni Gabre-Madhin

Eleni Zaude Gabre-Madhin is an Ethiopian economist, and former chief executive officer of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange.

Eleni Gabre-Madhin's upbringing was diverse, growing up in New York City, Rwanda, and Kenya.

Eleni Gabre-Madhin graduated high school from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya with the highest of honors.

Eleni Gabre-Madhin earned a PhD in Applied Economics from Stanford University, a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University and a Bachelors in Economics from Cornell University.

Dr Eleni Gabre-Madhin was the main driving force behind the development of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange.

Eleni Gabre-Madhin became CEO of the new exchange in 2008, and argued that "hen farmers can sell their crops on the open market and get a fair price, they will have much more incentive to be productive, and Ethiopia will be much less prone to food crises".

In 2010, Eleni Gabre-Madhin was named Ethiopian Person of the Year for the 2002 Ethiopian year.

Eleni Gabre-Madhin was listed as one of the 50 Women Shaping Africa in 2011.

In 2012, Eleni Gabre-Madhin was awarded the Africa Food Prize from the Norwegian fertilizer manufacturer Yara International for her outstanding contributions to sustainable food production and distribution with socio-economic impact.

Eleni Gabre-Madhin was granted The Power with Purpose Award from Devex and McKinsey in 2016.