Messay Derebe is the co-Founder and Co-CEO of goARTful. goARTful is a first of its kind platform for the rental, sale, and exploration of art. While we are an art store which offers pieces for sale the core of our work is our rental service. Rentals on goARTful work like Rent the Runway for art. Harnessing the power of technology, our subscriptions allow goARTful members to rent photography, paintings and drawings from local artists at a price they can afford.

Messay began her career in finance working as an auditor with Ernst & Young but left that path to pursue her true passion of supporting artists and arts organizations. Messay holds a Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University with majors in English Literature and Accounting. Messay also volunteers to support arts in her committee. She serves as a member of the steering committee for Emerging Arts Leaders DC and in other capacities. She is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and calls Texas her adopted US state."