Meet Our Team

Edekel Tecle

Director, Co-Founder

Edekel "Eddy" Tecle is a practicing attorney specializing in criminal defense and personal injury law, with experience litigating cases in both state and federal courts across Texas. Raised in the Dallas area, he earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Houston in 2010 and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin in 2013.

He is the Co-Founder and Director of the Eritrean Scholars Fund, where he is committed to expanding opportunity and building pathways for student success through mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement. In addition to his work with the Fund, Eddy is a director of Nahid's Kids Rise & Bloom, a non-profit whose mission is to support children and youth involved with the foster care system in the Houston area.

Heshem Tecle

Co-Founder, Director

Heshem Tecle is a Dallas, Texas–based finance and compliance professional with a strong background in accounting, regulatory analysis, and financial operations. Born and raised in Dallas, he has maintained a deep connection to his community while building a career grounded in integrity and analytical precision.

He earned his education in finance from the University of Houston, where he developed a solid understanding of financial systems, reporting, and risk management. His professional journey began at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he worked as an accountant responsible for overseeing payroll processes, reconciling financial records, and ensuring the accuracy of critical financial documentation.

Heshem currently serves as a Compliance Analyst at State Farm, where he focuses on maintaining adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies. In this role, he applies his financial expertise and attention to detail to support organizational compliance and operational excellence.

As a proud Eritrean American, Heshem is passionate about giving back to his community. He is committed to supporting and uplifting the next generation of professionals, with a vision of creating greater opportunities and a stronger future for those who follow.

Meron Mesfin

Director, Co-Founder

Meron Mesfin is a construction project manager overseeing high level operations for multifamily developments in North Texas. He leads project execution through subcontractor coordination, scheduling, contract negotiations, budgeting, and quality control, ensuring complex projects are delivered efficiently and to a high standard.

He began his career as a home warranty plumber in the Dallas Fort Worth area and later transitioned into new construction plumbing in New Orleans while earning his associate degree in Civil and Construction Applied Engineering Technology. That hands-on experience shaped his understanding of how projects come together and fueled his commitment to building both physical structures and stronger communities. He later earned a bachelor's degree in Construction Management from University of Houston, along with a double minor in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from the Bauer College of Business.

As an Eritrean American and co-founder of the Eritrean Scholars Fund, Meron is committed to expanding access to education for college students. His background in discipline, execution, and problem solving directly supports the organization's mission to provide scholarships, mentorship, and resources, helping create pathways for the next generation to succeed.