Fortune: If you are trapped in a desert, what two things would you bring with you?

Hana Tehlku: The desert is a place of scarcity, where life boils down to two questions. How do I survive, and how do I protect my dignity while doing so? It’s a land without law. You won’t get everything you want, yet its vast openness is both freeing and unforgiving. The first things I would take are faith and hope, with a container of water close at hand. In such harsh terrain, dignity can slip away. I would stay alert, watchful of what surrounds me and what I can use. I once heard someone say, ‘If I see the bus move, I’d pray while running.’ That is exactly my approach. Stranded in the desert, I hold onto faith and hope, but I navigate it with careful, clear-headed analysis.

Q: What was your first job and paycheck?

My first official role was as a prosecutor at the Ministry of Revenue. Right after graduating from Mekelle University, I received a scholarship. I dove straight into my master’s degree instead of entering the workforce. In between, I spent two months as a research assistant, earning 2,000 Br, 12 years ago. It was a modest start, but an early stepping stone in my journey.

Q: Do you recall an unforgettable milestone or a moment in your career that shaped your path?

It was not one single moment that led me here; it was a combination of experiences. My family’s belief that I could learn and achieve anything naturally shaped me into a leader. After more than a decade as a prosecutor, a role that defined much of my life, two women left an unforgettable mark. One was elderly, often appearing in my office as a defendant, dressed simply. I never treated her like a criminal. Punishing wrongdoing is part of the job, but kindness matters too. I even started giving her money for taxi fares.

The other woman was in her mid-50s, returning from years in Arab countries under harsh conditions, carrying serious physical and mental health challenges. Her story forced me to reflect on my purpose. Justice is not only about punishing wrongdoing. It is about creating a positive impact. Their lives inspired me to train in capital markets and pursue a new path. These two women shaped the course of my journey.

Q: What is the biggest part of your dream you won’t compromise?

I live by one principle. Results matter more than process, and the result I pursue is human well-being. ‘A humane life is precious.’ Servant leadership, rooted in hard work, honesty, and a people-centred approach, is non-negotiable for me. When I reflect on it, two things stand out. The cause and principle behind the work, and the value of human life, are the elements I will always uphold.

Q: What is the weirdest food you have ever tasted?