Rahel Gettu Mengesha

Rahel Gettu Mengesha is an Immigrant Insight Scholar (IIS) at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), where she works on a study examining the occupational health and safety challenges faced by newcomers in Canada.

Mengesha is a public health professional with extensive experience in global health initiatives and advocacy. Before relocating to Canada, Mengesha worked in diverse roles at the United Nations, most notably as an executive officer at UNAIDS in Geneva, Switzerland, where she advanced health innovations in developing countries. Earlier, as a community support advisor at UNAIDS Ethiopia, she built partnerships for programs supporting marginalized communities.

Upon arriving in Canada, she worked as a research assistant at York University on a study exploring the experiences of Syrian and Ethiopian refugees, and as a policy writer at Madison Community Services, where she contributed to policy recommendations to improve access and quality of care for mental health services.

She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Business Leadership, equipping her with a deep understanding of public health challenges and the strategic leadership skills to drive meaningful change. She recently enhanced her expertise with a Mini Masters in Foundations of Health Administration, focusing on Community Healthcare from Toronto Metropolitan University.