Hawzien Gebremedhin, Plante Moran’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader, is driven by a personal conviction that brings meaning to her life. That’s because she’s spent a considerable amount of time contemplating her purpose — or her “why?” as she calls it.
So what’s Hawzien’s “why?” Hawzien believes her purpose is to help marginalized people of all backgrounds feel supported and empowered — and that passion drives her motivation to create more inclusive spaces.
From banking to DEI
While Hawzien’s career started in banking, she learned that it wasn’t her true passion. After spearheading some exciting DEI initiatives at the bank, she started looking for new opportunities where she felt she could make a larger difference. Recruiters called, the job hunt ensued, and finally, she was considering offers from a global shoe company and Plante Moran.
What led her to choose Plante Moran? A phone call from Former Managing Partner Jim Proppe put it all into perspective.
“To think he would call me directly and ask that I join the firm was a big deal,” she said. “It made me feel very special and valued. I realized I had an opportunity to be a leader and make a big impact.”
And so, Hawzien joined Plante Moran as the DEI leader in 2021. But her passion for DEI didn’t simply unfold one day; rather, it’s grown over the years as a result of many different life experiences.
From feeling like an outsider to finding her “why”
As a young refugee, Hawzien and her family immigrated from the Tigray region of Ethiopia to Colorado via Sudan. Growing up, she often felt like an outsider, which drove her desire to find community — this led her to attend Johnson C. Smith, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in North Carolina. In many ways, it felt affirming to be part of that culture, but she still felt a sense of difference because of her immigrant experience. When Hawzien returned back to Colorado, those moments of feeling like an outsider started back up again.
Upon returning to Colorado, Hawzien began her career in banking. “A few years into my career, I went through a leadership program about finding your ‘why,’” she said. “After much reflection, I realized that my ‘why’ was connected to helping marginalized people of all backgrounds in a meaningful way. I wanted to help everyone feel valued, included and, ultimately, successful, in whatever way that means to them. I decided that I could create a career with this inherent value at Plante Moran.”
Being able to relate to people based on her own intersectionality and experiences has proven to be Hawzien’s secret sauce in her work today.
“Being in the DEI space, I can relate to people on so many different levels,” she said. “I feel lucky to be able to draw on my intersectionality as an immigrant, a refugee, a Black woman, a mother, and more to help me connect with people from all walks of life. My background is multifaceted, which I believe allows me to develop deeper relationships with all types of people.”
Creating a nonprofit: If not me, then who?
Although Hawzien left the Tigray region of Ethiopia three decades ago, she still feels deeply connected to it. This is what fuels her dedication to the nonprofit she and her sister helped found, the Tigray Action Committee. (Their initiative was the subject of a Forbes article.)
“The same refugee camp that I came from 30 years ago is open again because of the genocide in Tigray,” said Hawzien. “This tragedy and the resulting displacement of thousands of people have affected me profoundly. It was daunting to imagine I had the power to help and create change, but then I thought, ‘If not me, then who?’ So, my sister and I started our nonprofit to help give back and build awareness.”
Everyone has the power to lead change
Hawzien has reflected on the mantra, “If not me, then who?” many times. It also mirrors the advice she has for young professionals today wanting to see change in the DEI space.
“Everyone has the power to make the changes they want to see,” said Hawzien. “For instance, when I started at the firm, we only had four staff resource groups — all of which were initiated by staff who wanted to lead change. Then, because there were still staff who weren’t fully represented, our SRGs grew.
“We now have Minds of All Kinds because staff members came forward wanting to see a space for those with neurodivergent attributes. Additionally, we formed Unidos for Hispanic and Latin staff and the Satellite SRG because we have remote staff not tied to a firm location who deserve to feel connected to our culture. That’s why I encourage everyone, ‘If you don’t see yourself in the current groups, speak up.’”
Hawzien’s mantra also ties into our firm’s commitment to increasing the sense of belonging among all staff and ensuring that Plante Moran is a workplace where everyone can be the best version of themselves.
“We’ve seen that when we can collectively foster a feeling of belonging and create an inclusive workplace, staff are empowered to build authentic connections, embrace diverse perspectives, and reach their fullest potential,” Hawzien said.
A DEI leader second, a mother first
When Hawzien isn’t trying to improve the communities of those around her, she’s focused on her family — especially creating meaningful experiences for her two sons and finding ways to ground herself.
Whether taking mindfulness moments to breathe, guiding a yoga practice (she became a certified instructor in summer 2025), or simply being present, Hawzien prioritizes activities that reconnect her to herself.
Work-life balance isn’t always easy, especially as a parent, but Hawzien knows the importance of spending time with the ones she loves, and making the most of it.
“Family time is family time,” said Hawzien. “I disconnect from my phone and put my family first because, at the end of the day, that’s what’s important to me. I’m trying to create more moments where I’m fully present — at home and at work — so that each person I’m with knows they’re important to me.”
Hawzien’s commitment to making others feel valued shines through in every part of her life. From volunteering and teaching yoga to leading DEI efforts and cherishing time with her family, she brings intention and care to all she does. Her approach reflects a deep connection to her values and inspires those around her to pursue their own purpose with passion.
