Born and raised in Ethiopia, Alfa Melesse Demmellash came to the United States at the age of twelve with a keen interest in poverty alleviation and conflict resolution. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2003 – where she majored in Government. During her time at Harvard, her interest in conflict resolution took her to study in Rwanda.

     Recognizing the role poverty played in fueling conflicts, Alfa turned her focus to economic empowerment as a strategy in achieving peaceful societies. Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Alfa co-founded Rising Tide Capital - a non-profit microenterprise development organization that supports underserved entrepreneurs in the low-income urban communities of Northern New Jersey.

     Since 2004, Alfa has been the Chief Executive Officer of Rising Tide Capital, headquartered on Martin Luther King Dr., in Jersey City. The organization runs the Community Business Academy – an intensive business training session coupled with year-round coaching and mentorship that equips marginalized entrepreneurs to better operate their small businesses. Many of these individuals use the increased earnings from their business to supplement their low-wages, allowing them to better provide for their families and transform the face of their communities. This year, Rising Tide Capital is actively working with over 100 high potential entrepreneurs to help them define and pursue a path for business success.  

     Alfa is a recent recipient of AVON's Hello Tomorrow Fund Award for working with women entrepreneurs. In 2007, Alfa has been featured on the Suze Orman show and “O” The Oprah Magazine, and mentioned in Essence Magazine and Redbook Magazine for her work on entrepreneurship. She was also the 2007 recipient of the Redbook Strengths and Spirits Award. She is passionate about social entrepreneurship, education, conflict resolution, and increasingly the environment.