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Line 14: − + − + − + − − ==International Work== − In 1998, Bekele left the corporate world and spent time traveling around the globe, visiting [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Latin America]] and [[Africa]], before launching a new career as an [[entrepreneur]]. − − Bekele quickly moved on to entrepreneurship by starting-up and building a technology supply and integration company that successfully delivered on important information and communications technology projects for an inter-governmental organization and a national government institution in Ethiopia. Bekele set up '''CBS International,''' a company based in California, as a private technology supplier to various clients, including value-added resellers with a mission to transfer technology to [[emerging economies]] including Africa. As an affiliate of CBS International, Bekele also set up a local company in her home country of Ethiopia, '''SbCommunications Network, plc, (SbCnet)''' specializing in systems integration and dedicated to provide technology integration and support services.<ref>[http://www.cbsegroup.com/ CBS International]</ref> − − During her first two years in Africa, Bekele built business alliances with local and international firms, where she became known for her efforts to adapt Western business methods and practices into the traditional Ethiopian business model. Her efforts paid off when Bekele, as President/CEO brought and won her first multi-million international contract to deploy a turnkey large technology supply and integration services contract to build a state-of-the-art fibre optic ICT infrastructure for the Organization for African Unity (OAU) which has since been transformed to the [[African Union]] headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/cbs-wins-oaus-largest-it-project-2-pages.pdf CBS wins OAU's largest IT project]</ref>. The ICT project that Ms. Bekele delivered for the African continental organization provides high-speed network infrastructural access and data services to a large number of users working at the African Union Commission headquarters campus site in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The project was funded under a [[United Nations Development Programme]](UNDP) project that was designed to build the capacity of the African inter-governmental organization. Furthermore, the supervisory authority was the [[United Nations Office for Project Services]] (UNOPS). Through the AU data networking infrastructure project, Ms. Bekele gained valuable experience working with the United Nations and its affiliates, as a technology vendor and service provider and important inter-relationships. − − Following the success of the AU ICT project, Ms. Bekele's using her local company SbCnet in Ethiopia, arranged a strategic partnership with [[Dimension Data Holdings]] of South Africa to bid on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia House of Peoples' Representatives [[Ethiopian Parliament]] data networking infrastructure supply, installation and commissioning project. She won the international competitive bid (ICB) and was awarded a multi million dollar international contract for the implementation of an integrated data networking infrastructure project and entered into contract with the Ethiopian federal government, to deliver and implement the parliamentary information systems networking project. This project involves the delivery of a fully-redundant optic fibre network infrastructure is based on CISCO and advanced cabling infrastructure within a campus network environment, with Broadband Internet Access. Ms. Bekele as Supplier's Project Director managed a multi-national team of experts and oversaw the foreign procurement of various technology goods from a network of suppliers arranged through her US-based CBS International. Through the strategic partnership that Bekele established, the network cabling infrastructure was implemented to the most exacting world-class standards by Sbcnet and Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure, a service unit of the global Dimension Data Holdings of South Africa." <br /> − The Ethiopian business weekly, ''[[Addis Fortune]]'', referred to it as the most controversial contract that the government had. Originally awarded to Bekele's competitor GCS in 2001, Bekele's company, which had been second on the list, issued immediate complaints. Reportedly with aggressive lobbying by Bekele, the bid was audited,<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/auditor-says-parliament-award-improper.pdf Auditor says Parliament's IT Project award improper:Addis Fortune]</ref> and it was determined that the awarding of the contract had been improper, and the Parliament reversed the decision and awarded the bid to Bekele's company in 2002.<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/is-justice-served-by-sophia-bekele.pdf/ Is Justice Served? :Addis Fortune]</ref> − − − "''It is almost possible to assume that the private press has, for all practical intentions narrowed down on the '[[sensationalist]]' value of the story without considering the core values of the process at stake and the precedent setting process at work in this matter. Precedence is being set, because this is the first time since the renaissance of our democracy that an illegally awarded contract on a national scale project has been successfully suspended, cancelled and reversed in the interest of higher ideals.''"<br>Sophia Bekele, writing a May 2002 opinion column in the ''[[Addis Fortune]]'',<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/yes-justice-has-been-done-by-sophia-bekele-for-fortune.pdf yes, justice has been served]</ref> − − − <br /> − With these registered successes in ICT project delivery, Ms. Bekele was appointed by H.E. K.Y. Amoako, then Executive Secretary of the UNECA [[United Nations Economic Commission for Africa]] to serve on the Advisory Technical Board (ATAC) of the '''African Information Society Initiative (AISI)''' that advised the UN Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on building a new information society for Africa. This ATAC formulated policy and provided policy guidance and direction especially on how to reduce the digital divide between the developed countries of the West and Africa. The increasing penetration of ICT’s and widespread adoption of digital technologies into Africa is due to the deregulated and liberalized policy environment established in various African countries, which could be rightly credited, in part to the positive impact of the work of the AISI-ATAC since 2000. Ms. Bekele co-authored the ''''Common Position for Africa's Digital Inclusion''''<ref>[https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:JuoSiWI1_GgJ:repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/14203/Bib-55678.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjyIT4MiMVnQL2L4h4Sh_--dgXPtwCvUXhHjrQhyU0rSGe3tVnh_iK-9pDmJvz1rvIj10EEoDH6RM1oPFXVf4AfdAlR6GwuPfP0TAmh6m2rURnJcAJJ-gUegxM_vHZGcIrixt97&sig=AHIEtbRm2BbpuNL8SkxsVcTlXsz0YrIKeQ Africa's Common Position for Digital Inclusion : UNECA]</ref>,<ref>[http://graduateinstitute.ch/aspd/wsis/DOC/105EN.PDF Africa's Common Position for Digital Inclusion]</ref> which was developed in response to the ECA Conference of Minister's Resolution 812 (XXXI). The 'Common Position' was a blueprint that reflected Africa's ICT position communicated to various global forums such as the G8 DOT Force, [[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] (ECOSOC) the [[United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force]] (UN Task Force), [[World Economic Forum]], [[New Partnership for Africa's Development]] (NEPAD) initiatives, etc. Her ATAC work at the UNECA provided Ms. Bekele with useful experience on how to harness the potential of digital technologies in the aid of socio-economic development. She has continued to use this identifying framework for future ICT projects and activities that are geared towards building a 21st-century e-enabled society in Africa. − − <br /> − After the contracting controversy with the Ethiopian Parliament, Bekele's next encounter was the issue of the elite private sector business in Ethiopia, specifically what she regarded as the illegitimate formation of a [[stock exchange]]. She wrote an editorial claiming that this entity was planned without the proper rules, regulations, infrastructure and controls: − − − "''It is better for us to have a proper open stock market where market forces determine the price of a share and security instruments...and should not be left to the machinations of a Share Dealing Group...the truth of the matter is that Addis Ababa [[Chamber of commerce]] cannot be both the sponsor and the regulator (oversight) according to the by-laws of the group... Government is the only agency that could put the regulatory frameworks and principles under which a proper stock exchange or [[commodities exchange]] can exist.''"<br>Sophia Bekele, writing a June 2002 opinion column in the "[[Addis Fortune]]",<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/share-dealing-group-comment-on-proposal-for-ethiopian-stock-market-sophia-bekele.pdf View Point:Share Dealing Group vs. Stock Exchange Preventing a Travesty|pages=11, 16 Addis Fortune]</ref> − − − To her vindication, the government eventually rejected the proposal for the share dealing group in November 2002.<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/is-justice-served-by-sophia-bekele.pdf Sufian Rejects Share Dealing Launch: Addis Fortune Giorgis, Tamrat G]</ref> As a followup, though there was no direct link with Bekele, in April 2008 the Ethiopian government launched a commodities exchange market, aimed at boosting fair trade and stabilizing its food market.<ref>[http://newsblaze.com/story/20081101110847tsop.nb/topstory.html Ethiopia Launches Commodities Exchange to develop Agriculture Phillip Kurata,News Blaze]</ref> − − <br /> − Following service in the AISI Steering Committee, Ms. Bekele was elected to the gNSO Policy Advisory Board of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) through the Nominating Committee Selection in December 2005,<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key Leadership Positions within ICANN]</ref>, an internationally organized private-public partnership with the mission of Internet governance, promotion of competition, and the achievement of broad representation of global e-communities within the Internet; and development of global policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up, consensus based processes. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)]</ref> − − Focusing in the US market since 2003, Bekele and her companies consulted for clients in public/private markets, primarily in corporate governance and risk management areas, including the [[Sarbanes-Oxley Act]] of 2002. She also advised in corporate relations/communications programs within public companies.<ref>[http://nomcom.icann.org/candidate-bios-2005.htm Biographical Information on the Nominees]</ref> − − Currently, Bekele's focus is on the [[.africa ]]– a new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) for the Africa geographic name that she initiated during her appointment at ICANN. The project will be introduced and delegated for operation under ICANN’s new gTLD programme. Bekele travels globally for her work and shuttles regularly between her residences in [[Walnut Creek, California]] and Africa, where she also has a firm base. − + Line 64:
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Line 95: − − =====DotConnectAfrica===== − Ms. Bekele also founded [[DotConnectAfrica]]. She is responsible for creating the foundations for running a viable non-profit with public/private partnership model, that is going to have a sustainable future with the project initiatives that it undertakes. The flagship projects which invoked the initialization of the organization is the "dotafrica" (.africa) Top Level Domain Name, which is to be the Continental Domain name to register Africa's businesses and other entities that are of concern to Africa. − − Currently, Ms. Bekele's responsibilities include identifying opportunities and risks for delivering the company’s services as a web-based business, including identification of competitive services, opportunities for innovation, and assessment of marketplace obstacles and technical hurdles to the business success; Identify technology trends and evolving social behavior that may support or impede the success of the business; and Evaluate and identify appropriate technology platforms (including web application frameworks and the deployment stack) for delivering the company’s services.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref> − + − − ==Education== − Ms. Bekele holds an MBA in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Golden Gate University, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Systems from San Francisco State University. She is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Control Specialist (CCS), and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref> − − Selected works include: − − * The Empire Fights Back<ref>[http://circleid.com/posts/the_empire_fights_back/ The Empire Fights Back]</ref> − * The Year of the New gTLD Program and the Year to Support ICANN - Part II<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/2012_the_year_of_the_new_gtld_program_and_the_year_to_support_icann_part_ii The Year of the New gTLD Program and the Year to Support ICANN - Part II]</ref> − * A Cornerstone of Democracy: Good Governance (editorial) <ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/good-governance-by-sophia-bekele.pdf A Cornerstone of Democracy: Good Governance (editorial)]</ref> − * Free flow of ideas - a cornerstone for democracy (editorial)<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/free-flow-of-ideas-a-cornerstone-of-democracy-for-reporter-sophia-bekele.pdf Free flow of ideas - a cornerstone for democracy (editorial)]</ref> − * Not only a vision, a common vision <ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/bet-jounal-ggu-ict-article-by-sophia-bekele.pdf Not only a vision, a common vision]</ref> − * Yes, Justice has been served! (editorial) <ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/yes-justice-has-been-served-ethiopian-herald-sophia-bekele-ethiopia.pdf Yes, Justice has been served! (editorial)]</ref> − * The Solar Cooking story of Fresno <ref>[http://www.fresnorotary.org/view_page.asp?nodeid=33&parentid=0&moduleid=1 , The Solar Cooking story of Fresno]</ref>
Organizing for the titles
Ms. [[Sophia Bekele]] is an entrepreneur, business executive, ICT activist, and international policy adviser on ICT/Telcom to public and private enterprise.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Bekele Sophia Bekele, wikipedia.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.aitecafrica.com/user/view/Sophia+Bekele Aitec Africa]</ref> She is the founder and CEO of [[CBS International]] and [[DotConnectAfrica]].<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
Ms. [[Sophia Bekele]] is an entrepreneur, business executive, ICT activist, and international policy adviser on ICT/Telcom to public and private enterprise.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Bekele Sophia Bekele, wikipedia.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.aitecafrica.com/user/view/Sophia+Bekele Aitec Africa]</ref> She is the founder and CEO of [[CBS International]] and [[DotConnectAfrica]].<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
She was also the founder and [[CEO]] of CBS International, a private California-based firm engaged in [[technology transfer]] to [[emerging economies]], and SbCommunications Network, an Ethiopian IT company. In 2002 SbCNet was known for being successfully awarded a highly controversial bid for a government contract to build an integrated information network infrastructure for the [[Ethiopian Parliament]]. Bekele was also an elected member of the [[ICANN]] Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization), which advises on global internet policy. She has served on [[United Nations]]-sponsored committees, such as the [[UNECA]]-sponsored African Information Society Initiative (AISI), where she represents the private sector in discussions about the economic development of Africa. She is also involved with the creation of policies towards bridging the economic gap between Africa and other economies, through the use of [[Information and communication technologies]] (ICT).
She is also the founder and [[CEO]] of CBS International, a private California-based firm engaged in [[technology transfer]] to [[emerging economies]], and SbCommunications Network, an Ethiopian IT company. In 2002 SbCNet was known for being successfully awarded a highly controversial bid for a government contract to build an integrated information network infrastructure for the [[Ethiopian Parliament]]. Bekele was also an elected member of the [[ICANN]] Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization), which advises on global internet policy. She has served on [[United Nations]]-sponsored committees, such as the [[UNECA]]-sponsored African Information Society Initiative (AISI), where she represents the private sector in discussions about the economic development of Africa. She is also involved with the creation of policies towards bridging the economic gap between Africa and other economies, through the use of [[Information and communication technologies]] (ICT).
== Early life and Family ==
== Early life and Family ==
Bekele is the daughter of Ato Bekele Eshete Wolde Michael, a businessman who was engaged in various sectors of the Ethiopian economy, also a founder and Board Director of United Bank,S.C and United Insurance,S.C one of the first and largest Banks and Insurance institutions in Ethiopia <ref>[http://www.old.capitalethiopia.com/archive/2009/august/week4/interview.htm Exclusive Interview]</ref> and Sister Mulualem Beyene Engida, a medical nurse. She attended a private Catholic high school, then traveled to America to acquire her Higher education.
Bekele is the daughter of Ato Bekele Eshete Wolde Michael, a businessman who was engaged in various sectors of the Ethiopian economy, also a founder and Board Director of United Bank,S.C and United Insurance,S.C one of the first and largest Banks and Insurance institutions in Ethiopia <ref>[http://www.old.capitalethiopia.com/archive/2009/august/week4/interview.htm Exclusive Interview]</ref> and Sister Mulualem Beyene Engida, a medical nurse. She attended a private Catholic high school, then traveled to America to acquire her Higher education.
== Career==
== Education and Career==
After coming to the US, she studied and acquired her [[Bachelor's Degree]] in Business Analysis and Information Systems at [[San Francisco State University]]. Recruited out of college by [[Bank of America]], she began working in [[information security]].<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/prodigal-prodigy-cbs-international-sophia-bekele.pdf Kaufman, K]</ref> She earned her [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) in management [[Information Systems]] from [[Golden Gate University]], also in San Francisco, California, which led to managerial positions with [[UnionBanCal Corporation]] and then [[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]].
After coming to the US, she studied and acquired her [[Bachelor's Degree]] in Business Analysis and Information Systems at [[San Francisco State University]]. Recruited out of college by [[Bank of America]], she began working in [[information security]].<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/prodigal-prodigy-cbs-international-sophia-bekele.pdf Kaufman, K]</ref> She earned her [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) in management [[Information Systems]] from [[Golden Gate University]], also in San Francisco, California, which led to managerial positions with [[UnionBanCal Corporation]] and then [[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]]. She is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Control Specialist (CCS), and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
==ICANN Work==
==ICANN Work==
Ms. Bekele was nominated to serve on [[ICANN]]'s [[GNSO]] policy board from 2005-2007, under the Chairmanship of [[Dr. Vinton Cerf]]. Elected by the [[NomCom]], Sophia was the first African to serve and hold a seat the GNSO. During her tenure, Sophia was instrumental in initiating policy dialogue over [[IDN]]s as well as the formation of an [[IDN]] working group. She was later credited for championing the inclusion of the global [[IDN]] community within this policy dialogue.<ref>[http://ictcreatives.com/component/k2/item/50-sophia-bekele-ethiopian-champion-of-the-dot-africa-initiative Enterprise Technology ICT Creatives]</ref><ref> [http://www.scribd.com/doc/35142308/ICANN-IDN-Language-Group-Recommendation-IDN-1#fullscreen:on, IDN Language group Recommendation]</ref><ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/44715292/IDRU-Endorsement-of-Dotafrica-for-DotConnectAfrica-DCA#fullscreen:on, IDRU Endorsement]</ref> As a result, Ms. Bekele was also nominated to chair ICANN's [[IDN Working Group]]. She was one of the co-authors of ICANN's IDN policy guidelines.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
Ms. Bekele was nominated to serve on [[ICANN]]'s [[GNSO]] policy board from 2005-2007, under the Chairmanship of [[Dr. Vinton Cerf]]. Elected by the [[NomCom]], Sophia was the first African to serve and hold a seat the GNSO. During her tenure, Sophia was instrumental in initiating policy dialogue over [[IDN]]s as well as the formation of an [[IDN]] working group. She was later credited for championing the inclusion of the global [[IDN]] community within this policy dialogue.<ref>[http://ictcreatives.com/component/k2/item/50-sophia-bekele-ethiopian-champion-of-the-dot-africa-initiative Enterprise Technology ICT Creatives]</ref><ref> [http://www.scribd.com/doc/35142308/ICANN-IDN-Language-Group-Recommendation-IDN-1#fullscreen:on, IDN Language group Recommendation]</ref><ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/44715292/IDRU-Endorsement-of-Dotafrica-for-DotConnectAfrica-DCA#fullscreen:on, IDRU Endorsement]</ref> As a result, Ms. Bekele was also nominated to chair ICANN's [[IDN Working Group]]. She was one of the co-authors of ICANN's IDN policy guidelines.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
Ms. Bekele initiated the formation of the [[AfriICANN]] grouping within [[ICANN]].<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
Ms. Bekele initiated the formation of the [[AfriICANN]] grouping within [[ICANN]].<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
'''Championing the International Domain Name (IDN) Policy'''<br />
'''Championing the International Domain Name (IDN) Policy'''<br />
As a gNSO adviser to ICANN Bekele participated actively in policy development for IDNs and campaigned and championed the efforts to introduce IDNs in the ICANN policy dialog. Bekele successfully made the case at ICANN on behalf of the global IDN community. In a written Testimonial, and on behalf of the group<br />
As a gNSO adviser to ICANN Bekele participated actively in policy development for IDNs and campaigned and championed the efforts to introduce IDNs in the ICANN policy dialog. Bekele successfully made the case at ICANN on behalf of the global IDN community. In a written Testimonial, and on behalf of the group<br />
''"Bekele was very influential in drafting the IDN policy guidelines as well as developed a framework for leading a language group. This required contentious and controversial matters with complicated political and commercial implications and interests. Ms Bekele strongly advocated and further went on to aggressively bring the voices of the global public of early adapters of IDN businesses and countries who implemented IDNs to the policy of ICANN" ,'' <small>said Mr. Yoav Karen, then Member of ICANN's President IDN Advisory Committee, Current ICANN gNSO Council member and Executive member of IDRU.</small><ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/101440288/ICANN-IDN-Recommendation-DomainTheNet, Testimony of Sophia Bekel's IDN work at ICANN]</ref>
''"Bekele was very influential in drafting the IDN policy guidelines as well as developed a framework for leading a language group. This required contentious and controversial matters with complicated political and commercial implications and interests. Ms Bekele strongly advocated and further went on to aggressively bring the voices of the global public of early adapters of IDN businesses and countries who implemented IDNs to the policy of ICANN" ,'' <small>said Mr. Yoav Karen, then Member of ICANN's President IDN Advisory Committee, Current ICANN gNSO Council member and Executive member of IDRU.</small><ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/101440288/ICANN-IDN-Recommendation-DomainTheNet, Testimony of Sophia Bekel's IDN work at ICANN]</ref>
==Corporate Experience==
==Corporate Experience==
Sophia began her career working for multinational institutions in large financial/banking companies in Corporate America such as Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi/Union Bank of California, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, as well as building various start-ups with international business portfolios. Most of Ms. Bekele's work is characterized with overseeing the control and security activities for technologies, auditing computer IT systems, evaluated new product & system services and recommending cost effective solutions, project management, client relationship, operational and business risk assessment, business process re-engineering, writing recommendation reports to Executive Management for operational improvements, and corporate good governance.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Bekele Sophia Bekele, wikipedia.org]</ref>
Sophia began her career working for multinational institutions in large financial/banking companies in Corporate America such as Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi/Union Bank of California, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, as well as building various start-ups with international business portfolios. Most of Ms. Bekele's work is characterized with overseeing the control and security activities for technologies, auditing computer IT systems, evaluated new product & system services and recommending cost effective solutions, project management, client relationship, operational and business risk assessment, business process re-engineering, writing recommendation reports to Executive Management for operational improvements, and corporate good governance.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Bekele Sophia Bekele, wikipedia.org]</ref>
==International Career==
In 1998, Bekele left the corporate world and spent time traveling around the globe, visiting [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Latin America]] and [[Africa]], before launching a new career as an [[entrepreneur]].
Bekele quickly moved on to entrepreneurship by starting-up and building a technology supply and integration company that successfully delivered on important information and communications technology projects for an inter-governmental organization and a national government institution in Ethiopia. Bekele set up '''CBS International,''' a company based in California, as a private technology supplier to various clients, including value-added resellers with a mission to transfer technology to [[emerging economies]] including Africa. As an affiliate of CBS International, Bekele also set up a local company in her home country of Ethiopia, '''SbCommunications Network, plc, (SbCnet)''' specializing in systems integration and dedicated to provide technology integration and support services.<ref>[http://www.cbsegroup.com/ CBS International]</ref>
During her first two years in Africa, Bekele built business alliances with local and international firms, where she became known for her efforts to adapt Western business methods and practices into the traditional Ethiopian business model. Her efforts paid off when Bekele, as President/CEO brought and won her first multi-million international contract to deploy a turnkey large technology supply and integration services contract to build a state-of-the-art fibre optic ICT infrastructure for the Organization for African Unity (OAU) which has since been transformed to the [[African Union]] headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/cbs-wins-oaus-largest-it-project-2-pages.pdf CBS wins OAU's largest IT project]</ref>. The ICT project that Ms. Bekele delivered for the African continental organization provides high-speed network infrastructural access and data services to a large number of users working at the African Union Commission headquarters campus site in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The project was funded under a [[United Nations Development Programme]](UNDP) project that was designed to build the capacity of the African inter-governmental organization. Furthermore, the supervisory authority was the [[United Nations Office for Project Services]] (UNOPS). Through the AU data networking infrastructure project, Ms. Bekele gained valuable experience working with the United Nations and its affiliates, as a technology vendor and service provider and important inter-relationships.
Following the success of the AU ICT project, Ms. Bekele's using her local company SbCnet in Ethiopia, arranged a strategic partnership with [[Dimension Data Holdings]] of South Africa to bid on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia House of Peoples' Representatives [[Ethiopian Parliament]] data networking infrastructure supply, installation and commissioning project. She won the international competitive bid (ICB) and was awarded a multi million dollar international contract for the implementation of an integrated data networking infrastructure project and entered into contract with the Ethiopian federal government, to deliver and implement the parliamentary information systems networking project. This project involves the delivery of a fully-redundant optic fibre network infrastructure is based on CISCO and advanced cabling infrastructure within a campus network environment, with Broadband Internet Access. Ms. Bekele as Supplier's Project Director managed a multi-national team of experts and oversaw the foreign procurement of various technology goods from a network of suppliers arranged through her US-based CBS International. Through the strategic partnership that Bekele established, the network cabling infrastructure was implemented to the most exacting world-class standards by Sbcnet and Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure, a service unit of the global Dimension Data Holdings of South Africa." <br />
The Ethiopian business weekly, ''[[Addis Fortune]]'', referred to it as the most controversial contract that the government had. Originally awarded to Bekele's competitor GCS in 2001, Bekele's company, which had been second on the list, issued immediate complaints. Reportedly with aggressive lobbying by Bekele, the bid was audited,<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/auditor-says-parliament-award-improper.pdf Auditor says Parliament's IT Project award improper:Addis Fortune]</ref> and it was determined that the awarding of the contract had been improper, and the Parliament reversed the decision and awarded the bid to Bekele's company in 2002.<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/is-justice-served-by-sophia-bekele.pdf/ Is Justice Served? :Addis Fortune]</ref>
"''It is almost possible to assume that the private press has, for all practical intentions narrowed down on the '[[sensationalist]]' value of the story without considering the core values of the process at stake and the precedent setting process at work in this matter. Precedence is being set, because this is the first time since the renaissance of our democracy that an illegally awarded contract on a national scale project has been successfully suspended, cancelled and reversed in the interest of higher ideals.''"<br>Sophia Bekele, writing a May 2002 opinion column in the ''[[Addis Fortune]]'',<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/yes-justice-has-been-done-by-sophia-bekele-for-fortune.pdf yes, justice has been served]</ref>
<br />
With these registered successes in ICT project delivery, Ms. Bekele was appointed by H.E. K.Y. Amoako, then Executive Secretary of the UNECA [[United Nations Economic Commission for Africa]] to serve on the Advisory Technical Board (ATAC) of the '''African Information Society Initiative (AISI)''' that advised the UN Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on building a new information society for Africa. This ATAC formulated policy and provided policy guidance and direction especially on how to reduce the digital divide between the developed countries of the West and Africa. The increasing penetration of ICT’s and widespread adoption of digital technologies into Africa is due to the deregulated and liberalized policy environment established in various African countries, which could be rightly credited, in part to the positive impact of the work of the AISI-ATAC since 2000. Ms. Bekele co-authored the ''''Common Position for Africa's Digital Inclusion''''<ref>[https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:JuoSiWI1_GgJ:repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/14203/Bib-55678.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjyIT4MiMVnQL2L4h4Sh_--dgXPtwCvUXhHjrQhyU0rSGe3tVnh_iK-9pDmJvz1rvIj10EEoDH6RM1oPFXVf4AfdAlR6GwuPfP0TAmh6m2rURnJcAJJ-gUegxM_vHZGcIrixt97&sig=AHIEtbRm2BbpuNL8SkxsVcTlXsz0YrIKeQ Africa's Common Position for Digital Inclusion : UNECA]</ref>,<ref>[http://graduateinstitute.ch/aspd/wsis/DOC/105EN.PDF Africa's Common Position for Digital Inclusion]</ref> which was developed in response to the ECA Conference of Minister's Resolution 812 (XXXI). The 'Common Position' was a blueprint that reflected Africa's ICT position communicated to various global forums such as the G8 DOT Force, [[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] (ECOSOC) the [[United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force]] (UN Task Force), [[World Economic Forum]], [[New Partnership for Africa's Development]] (NEPAD) initiatives, etc. Her ATAC work at the UNECA provided Ms. Bekele with useful experience on how to harness the potential of digital technologies in the aid of socio-economic development. She has continued to use this identifying framework for future ICT projects and activities that are geared towards building a 21st-century e-enabled society in Africa.
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After the contracting controversy with the Ethiopian Parliament, Bekele's next encounter was the issue of the elite private sector business in Ethiopia, specifically what she regarded as the illegitimate formation of a [[stock exchange]]. She wrote an editorial claiming that this entity was planned without the proper rules, regulations, infrastructure and controls:
"''It is better for us to have a proper open stock market where market forces determine the price of a share and security instruments...and should not be left to the machinations of a Share Dealing Group...the truth of the matter is that Addis Ababa [[Chamber of commerce]] cannot be both the sponsor and the regulator (oversight) according to the by-laws of the group... Government is the only agency that could put the regulatory frameworks and principles under which a proper stock exchange or [[commodities exchange]] can exist.''"<br>Sophia Bekele, writing a June 2002 opinion column in the "[[Addis Fortune]]",<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/share-dealing-group-comment-on-proposal-for-ethiopian-stock-market-sophia-bekele.pdf View Point:Share Dealing Group vs. Stock Exchange Preventing a Travesty|pages=11, 16 Addis Fortune]</ref>
To her vindication, the government eventually rejected the proposal for the share dealing group in November 2002.<ref>[http://cbsintl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/is-justice-served-by-sophia-bekele.pdf Sufian Rejects Share Dealing Launch: Addis Fortune Giorgis, Tamrat G]</ref> As a followup, though there was no direct link with Bekele, in April 2008 the Ethiopian government launched a commodities exchange market, aimed at boosting fair trade and stabilizing its food market.<ref>[http://newsblaze.com/story/20081101110847tsop.nb/topstory.html Ethiopia Launches Commodities Exchange to develop Agriculture Phillip Kurata,News Blaze]</ref>
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Following service in the AISI Steering Committee, Ms. Bekele was elected to the gNSO Policy Advisory Board of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) through the Nominating Committee Selection in December 2005,<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key Leadership Positions within ICANN]</ref>, an internationally organized private-public partnership with the mission of Internet governance, promotion of competition, and the achievement of broad representation of global e-communities within the Internet; and development of global policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up, consensus based processes. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)]</ref>
Focusing in the US market since 2003, Bekele and her companies consulted for clients in public/private markets, primarily in corporate governance and risk management areas, including the [[Sarbanes-Oxley Act]] of 2002. She also advised in corporate relations/communications programs within public companies.<ref>[http://nomcom.icann.org/candidate-bios-2005.htm Biographical Information on the Nominees]</ref>
Currently, Bekele's focus is on the [[.africa ]]– a new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) for the Africa geographic name that she initiated during her appointment at ICANN. The project will be introduced and delegated for operation under ICANN’s new gTLD programme. Bekele travels globally for her work and shuttles regularly between her residences in [[Walnut Creek, California]] and Africa, where she also has a firm base.
=====CBS International=====
=====CBS International=====
Currently, Ms. Bekele and her company assist various clients in public/private markets, primarily in corporate risk governance, including the recent Sarbanes-Oxley , GAAP & PCAOB and IT governance. Internationally, Sophia also consults on Milennium Challenge issues including anti-corruption, democratic governance, free market economics, and the development of internet and ICT infrastruture and regulatory policy.<ref>[http://cbsegroup.com/main.html?src=%2F85001%2F88022.html#1,0 CBS International]</ref>
Currently, Ms. Bekele and her company assist various clients in public/private markets, primarily in corporate risk governance, including the recent Sarbanes-Oxley , GAAP & PCAOB and IT governance. Internationally, Sophia also consults on Milennium Challenge issues including anti-corruption, democratic governance, free market economics, and the development of internet and ICT infrastruture and regulatory policy.<ref>[http://cbsegroup.com/main.html?src=%2F85001%2F88022.html#1,0 CBS International]</ref>
=====Other Endeavors=====
=====Other Endeavors=====
She is a Alumni Board Member of the Golden Gate University, Founder and Board Member of [[ISOC]] San Francisco Bay, a former board member of Information Systems and Control Association ([[ISACA]]-SF), advisory member to the World Affairs Council of Contra Costa County, and adviser to United Nation Agencies, where she serves as expert advisor on ICT policy for various UN Agencies Boards and committees, including UNECA (Economic commission for Africa), UNPAN, UNGAID.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>
She is a Alumni Board Member of the Golden Gate University, Founder and Board Member of [[ISOC]] San Francisco Bay, a former board member of Information Systems and Control Association ([[ISACA]]-SF), advisory member to the World Affairs Council of Contra Costa County, and adviser to United Nation Agencies, where she serves as expert advisor on ICT policy for various UN Agencies Boards and committees, including UNECA (Economic commission for Africa), UNPAN, UNGAID.<ref>[http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan035404.pdf Presentation to UNPAN]</ref>
==Writing==
==Writing==
Bekele has written articles and editorials on issues concerning technology for development, [[good governance]], regional [[economic integration]], [[politics]], and [[Internet Governance]] that is of global public interest and Africa. <ref>[http://cbsintl.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/editorial-archives CBS International Webpress: selected articles/presentations]</ref>
Bekele has written articles and editorials on issues concerning technology for development, [[good governance]], regional [[economic integration]], [[politics]], and [[Internet Governance]] that is of global public interest and Africa. <ref>[http://cbsintl.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/editorial-archives CBS International Webpress: selected articles/presentations]</ref>
==External Links==
==External Links==