Hiwot is an Activism Fellow at the Institue for Justice. In her role, she helps bolster grassroots advocacy campaigns that empower communities to defend their rights and advance justice. Through her projects, Hiwot supports efforts to expand access to justice, promote economic liberty, and create stronger, more equitable communities grounded in individual freedom and civic participation.
Before joining IJ, she held fellowships with the Kenan Institute and The Rachel Carson Council, where she did policy and community campaign work. In 2025, she graduated from Duke University with a BA in Environmental Science and Policy and a certificate in Ethics and Society.
Originally from eastern North Carolina, Hiwot’s interest in law, policy, and advocacy comes from her personal experience with government oversight and environmental challenges in her hometown, which sparked her drive to be a part of the change she wants to see in communities. In her free time, she loves dance, spending time outdoors, and cooking.