Messellech Abebe, Chief Operating Officer at First Focus on Children

Messellech Abebe

Chief Operating Officer at First Focus on Children | Fulton, Maryland, United States

Profile last verified October 2026
Government Relations Verified Profile Fulton, Maryland, United States Georgetown University
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Messellech Abebe Socials
Messellech Abebe Work Experience

Chief Operating Officer at First Focus on Children in June 2021 - Present

Senior Vice President, Development & Strategy at First Focus on Children in February 2018 - June 2021

Vice President, Development & Strategy at First Focus on Children in May 2013 - February 2018

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Director of Development at The Constitution Project in June 2012 - April 2013

Fundraising Consultant at WealthEngine in May 2010 - June 2012

Development Manager at Cancer Support Community - National in June 2007 - May 2010

Messellech Abebe Education

Georgetown University, MA, November 2026

University of Hartford, BA, November 2026

Franklin University Switzerland, November 2026

Messellech Abebe Skills
Portfolio Management Client Relationship Building Fundraising Consulting Prospect Research Peer Screenings Board Training Corporate Fundraising Private Foundations Special Events Database Management Individual Giving Fundraising Nonprofit Consulting Donor Relations Moves Management Donor Recognition Non-profits Philanthropy CRM Training Event Management Database Admin Research Annual Giving Strategic Planning Community Outreach Event Planning Volunteer Management Proposal Writing Public Speaking Program Development Grant Writing Leadership Management Data Analysis Grants Nonprofits Public Relations Strategic Communications Editing Analysis Policy Salesforce.com Marketing Sales Political Campaigns Program Management Social Media Budgets International Relations
About Messellech Abebe’s Current Company
First Focus on Children

First Focus on Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Our organization leads a comprehensive advocacy strategy, with its hands-on experience with federal policymaking and a commitment to seeking policy solutions. First Focus on Children’s comprehensive advocacy strategy works at each of the four stages of the policy change process: Raise Awareness — First Focus conducts issue analysis and research to understand the problems kids face. Our Capitol Hill briefings and one-on-one meetings inform policymakers directly. And we raise awareness through traditional media coverage and direct citizen engagement on social media. Develop Policy Solutions — First Focus translates research into practical policies and capitalize on or create windows of opportunity, so we are ready with the right solution at the right time. Build Will — First Focus builds policymakers’ will to act by taking our message to them directly. We also engage partners, raise up local voices, commission opinion research, share communications best-practices, generate buzz on social media and shine a spotlight through traditional media. Take Action — When the time comes to choose, First Focus makes it easier to choose solutions that work for kids. That means direct advocacy, mobilizing partners and citizen advocates, social media and traditional media, and publicly recognizing policymakers who stand up for kids. We are not education advocates, or health care advocates, or child welfare or housing or tax advocates. First Focus moves beyond individual issues to serve a more important role: children’s advocates. When the federal government makes the right choices, children win big. Today, 35 million kids get the health care they need because of Medicaid and the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program. The federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit lift five million children out of poverty.

Discover more about First Focus on Children
Messellech Abebe’s Colleagues
Michele Kayal

Michele Kayal

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Vice President, Media and Communications

Lead media and communications for First Focus on Children/First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization working to make children a priority in federal budget and policy decisions. Our holistic approach to advocacy makes us the cross-sector leader in chi...

Chad Bolt

Chad Bolt

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Senior Vice President, Economic Security

Covering social insurance, child nutrition, and tax. Let's work together to give all kids a better shot at a better future.

Lily Klam

Lily Klam

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Senior Director of Early Childhood and Education Policy at First Focus on Children

Senior Director, Early Childhood and Education Policy at First Focus on Children
(Feb 2025 – Present)

Leila Nimatallah

Leila Nimatallah

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

VP, Advocacy & Mobilization

Vice President, Advocacy & Mobilization at First Focus on Children
(Oct 2022 – Present)

Kathy Sacco

Kathy Sacco

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Child and Family Advocate | VP of International Children’s Policy | Former U.S. Diplomat | Strategic Leader in Child Protection

As Vice President of International Children’s Policy, I lead our global efforts to advance the rights and well-being of children through U.S. foreign policy and international development. I direct all international advocacy for First Focus on Children and our Campaign for Ch...

Michelle Dallafior

Michelle Dallafior

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Senior Vice President of Budget and Tax at First Focus on Children

Senior Vice President of Budget and Tax at First Focus on Children
(Nov 2017 – Present)

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Frequently asked questions about Messellech Abebe

What is Messellech Abebe email address?

Email Messellech Abebe at [email protected] and [email protected]. This email is the most updated Messellech Abebe's email found in 2026.

What is Messellech Abebe phone number?

Messellech Abebe phone number is 2022225679.

How to contact Messellech Abebe?

To contact Messellech Abebe send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]. If you want to call Messellech Abebe try calling on 2022225679. (updated on October 12, 2025)

What company does Messellech Abebe work for?

Messellech Abebe works for First Focus on Children.

What is Messellech Abebe's role at First Focus on Children?

Messellech Abebe is Chief Operating Officer

What industry does Messellech Abebe work in?

Messellech Abebe works in the Government Relations industry.

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