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Yonatan Bekele Hilegabriel is an MBA student at Bowie State University, where he focuses on business development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Since July 2024, he has worked as a research assistant at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), contributing to significant economic research projects and collaborating with diverse experts to address critical economic issues.
From pioneering mushroom production with a modest $185 loan to steering the success of Shitaki Mushroom Trade Company and co-founding Mushroom House Trading P.L.C., Yonatan has honed a unique blend of business acumen and strategic innovation. His efforts have resulted in training over 4,500 people and creating more than 700 jobs for mostly unemployed youth in Ethiopia. His leadership has earned him recognition as a finalist in the Mandela Washington Fellowship by the U.S. State Department for Young African Leaders and the USAID, USADF & Citi Foundation Grants programs.
An aspiring entrepreneur, Yonatan has consistently maintained a 4.0 GPA in his MBA program, demonstrating his dedication to academic excellence and leadership development. His passion for sustainable solutions, particularly in agriculture and business, drives his commitment to creating lasting, positive change for communities.
