Meet Tewodros Sisay

When Greatness is the Only Possible Destination

For Tewodros “Teddy” Sisay, greatness wasn't something he pursued; it was something that found him.

From Entrepreneur to Partner: The Power of a Brand

Before joining the firm, Tewodros was a successful entrepreneur who ran his own corporate finance advisory business. It was during this time that he became a subcontractor for the firm, handling significant corporate finance work in Ethiopia. His proven impact on projects, including advising one of the continent's largest telcos, was so significant that the discussion shifted from working with the firm to working for it. 

The move from a small, agile business owner to a leader in a global firm was a major shift, but one that came with three key lessons:

• The Power of the Deloitte Brand: "You can do a lot by yourself, but when you have the power of the Deloitte brand behind you, it completely changes everything." He realised the firm’s brand opens doors and enables growth in a way that is difficult for a smaller business.

• Investment in Learning and Growth: He was particularly impressed by the firm's dedication to personal and professional development for its people.

• Understanding Risk: As a Partner, he learned to navigate and manage risk not just for himself, but for clients and the firm as a whole. 

For Teddy, these three lessons are why he chooses to stay with the firm every day: the continuous learning, the daily challenges, and the power of a brand that enables him to build powerful networks and open doors.

A Passion for African Transformation

Teddy’s expertise is in two key areas: economic advisory, where he leads a team that helps clients understand complex macroeconomic situations and consumer behaviour across Africa’s 55 countries, and M&A support, a field he has specialised in for over 15 years.

He is also a key figure in one of East Africa’s most significant telecommunications projects, serving as the lead client service partner for a major national telecom in East Africa. He has been instrumental in advising on the privatisation and liberalisation of the Ethiopian telecom sector, a crucial economic reform he believes will bring economic transformation to the country. 

His passion for the continent’s growth is what truly drives him. When asked about his legacy, he said, "I want to be known for something that Teddy shaped... helping, let's say, digitisation for example in Africa, which... I believe, would bring in economic transformation."

A Leader Who Climbs Mountains

Outside of work, Teddy embraces extreme sports that perfectly align with his resilient and adventurous spirit. He enjoys trail running, mountain climbing, and diving. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and, in a particularly impressive feat, ran up and down Mount Kenya (the continent’s second-highest peak) in just eight hours. He sees a direct link between his adventurous hobbies and his professional life, having learned valuable lessons in resilience from the mentors he's met on the mountains.

When faced with challenges, he advises a methodical approach: understand the challenge and then be outside of that challenge to come up with a solution. He believes that by consistently delivering on promises and never breaking a client's trust, you can build strong, lasting relationships that form the foundation of a successful career.

The Pillars of a Lasting Career

Teddy’s success, and his advice for aspiring leaders, is built on a simple foundation: character and attitude.

"I always look for character and attitude because it doesn't matter whatever you studied… you can learn."

He emphasises the importance of staying curious because things are always changing, especially in the TMT industry. The learning process, he says, is key. By remaining curious, you remain inspired and a part of the change. All you need to do is keep learning and apply those solutions. 

For Teddy, staying true to these values is how he continues to make a real, tangible difference. Financial growth is good, but supporting and enabling client growth is his focus. Changing systems, facilitating economic transformation, and creating a lasting impact within the firm and the greater industry is why he is an influential M&A leader in East Africa.

Teddy's journey proves that by having the character to seek out challenges, the attitude to learn and grow, and the curiosity to innovate, you forge a path so impactful that greatness becomes the only possible destination.