Liz Bohannon – Portland, Oregon

Liz Forkin Bohannon is the founder and CEO of Sseko Designs, an ethical fashion brand that creates community and opportunity for women across the world. Sseko enables women in East Africa and America to continue their education and become leaders in their country.

After graduating from the University of Missouri with a Master’s degree in Journalism, Liz moved to Uganda to report on issues facing women and girls living in extreme poverty and conflict zones. While there, she met an incredible group of talented young women who were struggling to finance their education. Determined to create a sustainable and scalable solution for these talented and driven students, Liz hired three young women and started Sseko Designs.

Sseko has since grown to an international fashion brand and the largest footwear producer in Uganda. Through a financially self-sustaining model, Sseko provides employment, educational opportunities and entrepreneurial training to over 100 women in East Africa. 300 women in the United States also earn an income through the Sseko Fellows program.

The Sseko story has been featured in dozens of publications including: Vogue Magazine, Redbook Magazine, O Magazine, Shape Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Huffington Post, LA TIMES and others. Among other notable honors, Liz is a Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards finalist, the SVN Innovation Award Winner, the SXSW Eco Social Impact Award Winner, and Bloomberg Businessweek’s top social entrepreneur to watch.

She now splits her time between Uganda and Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband Ben run Sseko Designs.

Every sandal has a story.

Web site: https://ssekodesigns.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizbohannon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-forkin-bohannon-316a388/