Salem Afeworki on Resilience and Sustainability
In this issue of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Salem Afeworki, sustainability professional, on her resilient past and upbringing, which has led to her discovering her passion and career in sustainability.
Salem discusses her youth in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and how her parents pushed education as a pathway out of the turbulent region. She shares that her early job in the UN Peacekeeping Mission shaped her view of local conflicts, and exposed her to her world view. She later moved to Chile, earning degrees, and then to California as an environmental specialist. Salem’s impressive resume of academic accomplishments speaks to her drive.
Up until very recently, Salem guided the City of Costa Mesa in its earliest works with sustainability as the Energy and Sustainability Services Division Manager, winning the 2022 Heroes Award.