Dr. Bilal Shikur Endris is a man who understands the anatomy of a system. As an Associate Professor of Public Health with over 14 years of experience at Addis Ababa University and a PhD from Maastricht University, he spent years diagnosing the health of communities. Now, through the Bilcor Institute of Leadership Coaching and Research, he is applying that same scientific rigor to the health of organizations.
Recognized by universities and international media outlets such as The New York Times and Reuters, Dr. Bilal embodies the “scholar-practitioner” who bridges the gap between academic theory and executive reality. With the inaugural Bilcor Leadership Summit scheduled for January 3, 2026, he is poised to bring this philosophy to a wider stage. Moving beyond generic motivational training, Bilcor offers “Grounded Learning” — a methodology that blends implementation science with human-centered coaching.
Having already trained thousands of individuals and served on boards across the education and health sectors, Dr. Bilal is now executing a bold strategy to propel Bilcor’s influence beyond Ethiopian borders. Excerpts;
Capital: Dr. Bilal, you are a medical doctor and a renowned researcher in public health. How does a physician end up founding a leadership institute, and how does that medical background influence Bilcor?
Dr. Bilal: It’s a more natural transition than it seems. I am still an Associate Professor of Public Health at Addis Ababa University. In public health, we focus heavily on implementation science — the study of how to translate knowledge into real-world impact. I spent years watching excellent policies fail simply because the leadership required to execute them was missing. I realized that to save lives or improve economies, we first need to “treat” the leadership mindset.
At Bilcor, we approach leadership with the same diagnostic precision I used in medicine. We don’t just guess; we use evidence-based tools to identify where a team is struggling, and we prescribe a training plan that is measurable and grounded in reality.
Capital: Bilcor places a strong emphasis on research alongside coaching. Why is this academic rigor necessary for the Ethiopian market right now?
Dr. Bilal: Because our country is transforming — and intuition alone is no longer enough. Leadership is a science as much as it is an art. We offer “Grounded Learning,” training that is rooted in evidence, not just trends. Whether we are teaching Emotional Intelligence or Strategic Leadership, our curriculum is designed to unlock human potential informed by data.
This ensures that our clients aren’t just getting a feeling of improvement — they are translating academic knowledge into tangible community benefits and measurable organizational growth.
Capital: You have co-founded organizations in both the business and non-profit sectors. How does this multi-sector experience shape your training?
Dr. Bilal: It keeps us practical. I am not just a theorist; I am a practitioner facing the same challenges as my clients. Serving on the boards of schools, health associations, and foundations has taught me that while the context may change, the essence of leadership remains constant: it’s about people.
This cross-sector experience allows Bilcor to offer holistic solutions. We understand the specific pressures of the education sector, the urgency of the health sector, and the agility required in business. We bring that integrated perspective into every coaching session.
Capital: You have spoken about “Vision 2030” and expanding your reach. With the Bilcor Leadership Summit approaching, what are the next major steps for the institute?
Dr. Bilal: The Summit on January 3rd is the spark that ignites our next chapter. It will bring together diverse leaders to reimagine how we drive business leadership in times of change. But our ambition goes further.
In the coming months, we are launching a large-scale international leadership training program in partnership with global organizations. This initiative is designed to leapfrog our efforts beyond Ethiopia. We are evolving from a local institute into a regional powerhouse. By collaborating with international partners, we are validating that our human-centered, evidence-based approach is not only relevant for Ethiopia but also a competitive model for Africa — and the world.
