Who we are

Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede is an internationally recognized supermodel, actress, designer, maternal health advocate and mother.  She is the founder of the Liya Kebede Foundation, a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization’s maternal and child health program, and an Advisory Board member for the Mothers Day Every Day campaign.

In 2005, WHO named her its goodwill ambassador for maternal, newborn and child health.  As a WHO ambassador, she has been a vocal advocate for health, empowerment and development causes impacting women. 

In 2006, she founded the Liya Kebede Foundation, which raises awareness, promotes proven, low-cost technologies, which reduce maternal and child mortality, and educates health workers.  Liya is a dedicated advocate for women’s and children’s health, including the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS.

As a leading model, Liya has been featured multiple times on the cover of American Vogue, as one of the leading faces of “the Return of the Super Model” issue and with the heading “Cover Model With a Cause”.  Liya gained widespread attention in 2005 when she became the first model of color to represent Esteé Lauder.

In 2007, Liya launched a line of women and children’s clothing called Lemlem (“to bloom” in Amharic), which supports Ethiopia’s local weaving traditions. Lemlem combines Liya’s interest in fashion with her humanitarian work, creating economic opportunities for artisans in her native Ethiopia. 
Liya has also appeared in several films. Following roles in The Good Shepherd and Lord of War, Liya stars in Desert Flower, an adaptation of Somali model Waris Dirie’s autobiography chronicling her experience of female circumcision.