Solome Tibebu (‘08) is a nationally recognized leader in mental health advocacy and health innovation. During her time at Eden Prairie High School, she founded AnxietyInTeens.org, a national nonprofit supporting youth mental health, which sparked her lifelong efforts to promote mental wellbeing.

Following high school, Tibebu attended the University of St. Thomas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship. Building on her early success, she went on to lead several influential initiatives in behavioral health, including as the founding director of the Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health, a collaborative fund supporting more than 100 organizations who serve LGBTQ+ youth and adolescents of color. 

Tibebu now serves as the founder and CEO of Behavioral Health Tech (BHT), a leading conference and community that advances access to services for mental health, substance use, and autism/IDD. Tibebu also co-chairs the Pivotal Ventures Youth Mental Health Fund Council, where she helps shape national strategy around youth wellbeing.

Throughout her career, Solome has received numerous honors, including the SAMHSA Youth MOVE National Dare to Dream Award, the Margaret Clark Morgan Mental Health Scholar Award and the Minnesota Association of Children’s Mental Health Outstanding Service Award. She was also selected as one of 20 young social entrepreneurs to represent the U.S. at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit in Sydney, Australia.

Photo credit: LinkedIn