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Ms. [[Sophia Bekele]] is an entrepreneur, business executive, ICT activist, and international policy adviser on ICT/Telcom to public and private enterprise. She is the founder and CEO of [[CBS International]] and [[DotConnectAfrica]].

Ms. [[Sophia Bekele]] is an entrepreneur, business executive, ICT activist, and international policy adviser on ICT/Telcom to public and private enterprise. She is the founder and CEO of [[CBS International]] and [[DotConnectAfrica]].

CBS International, is a private California-based firm engaged in technology transfer to emerging economies, which also set up [[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.<ref>[http://theibca.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cbs-wins-oaus-largest-it-project-p1.jpg Sophia Bekele]</ref>  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  Bekele was then elected member of the ICANN Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization)<ref>[http://gnso.icann.org/en/council/soi/bekele-statement.htm Sophia Bekele - Nominating Committee appointee to the GNSO Council]</ref>, which advises on global internet policy. During her term, she has championed the IDN Policy Dialog for the international community. Bekele also initiated the first African-run Registry for a .africa TLD<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/ DotConnectAfrica]</ref><ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica African Union AU Endorsement of DotConnectAfrica]</ref>

CBS International, is a private California-based firm engaged in technology transfer to emerging economies, which also set up [[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.<ref>[http://theibca.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cbs-wins-oaus-largest-it-project-p1.jpg Sophia Bekele]</ref>  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  Bekele was then elected member of the ICANN Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization, which advises on global internet policy. During her term, she has championed the IDN Policy Dialog for the international community. Bekele also initiated the first African-run Registry for a .africa TLD<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica African Union AU Endorsement of DotConnectAfrica]</ref>

In 2013, Bekele was named Top “50 Trailblazers” – A future made in Africa, by the influential UK’s NewAfrican Magazine, a “Collector’s Edition” which coincide with the continent’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union, and featured individuals “who are realizing significant achievements in their specific field of endeavor” and who are “breaking ground, making Africa proud and propelling it into a future of great hope.”<ref>[http://www.equities.com/news/industrial/2013-05-12/1392076/a-future-made-in-africa50-trailblazers-under-50-made-in.story,Sophia Bekele, A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African]</ref>  

In 2013, Bekele was named Top “50 Trailblazers” – A future made in Africa, by the influential UK’s NewAfrican Magazine, a “Collector’s Edition” which coincide with the continent’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union, and featured individuals “who are realizing significant achievements in their specific field of endeavor” and who are “breaking ground, making Africa proud and propelling it into a future of great hope.”<ref>[http://techmoran.com/juliana-rotich-jason-njoku-alex-okosi-sophia-bekele-barrack-obama-named-top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-newafrican-magazine/,Sophia Bekele, A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African]</ref>  

Sophia is of Ethiopian decent but studied in the USA for her Bachelor's Degree in Business Analysis and Information Systems at San Francisco State University and earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in management Information Systems from Golden Gate University,<ref>[http://ebookbrowse.com/bet-jounal-ggu-ict-article-by-sophia-bekele-pdf-d189528962 BET Jounal GGU ICT article by Sophia Bekele pdf]</ref> San Francisco, California. She is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)<ref>[http://www.isaca.org/Certification/CISA-Certified-Information-Systems-Auditor/Pages/default.aspx Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)]</ref>

Sophia is of Ethiopian decent but studied in the USA for her Bachelor's Degree in Business Analysis and Information Systems at San Francisco State University and earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in management Information Systems from Golden Gate University,<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/prodigal-prodigy-cbs-international-sophia-bekele.pdf]</ref> San Francisco, California. She is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA, Certified Control Specialist (CCS), and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).<ref>[http://ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111 Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref>

, Certified Control Specialist (CCS), and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).<ref>[http://ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111 Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref> <ref>[http://www.isaca.org/Certification/CGEIT-Certified-in-the-Governance-of-Enterprise-IT/Pages/default.aspx Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)]</ref>

Bekele travels globally for her work and shuttles regularly between her residences in Walnut Creek, California and Africa, where she has a firm based in  business and family.

Bekele travels globally for her work and shuttles regularly between her residences in Walnut Creek, California and Africa, where she has a firm based in  business and family.

::<i> "I am most interested in the issues of emerging economies and the use of ICT and the growth of Internet or lack thereof over these environments. Therefore, the policies developed by ICANN over issues governing the global Internet particularly domain names could determine the gap in the digital divide within these economies.” <b>Sophia Bekele, Statement of Interest ICANN, 2005-2007</b></i> <ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/35142308/ICANN-IDN-Language-Group-Recommendation-IDN-1#fullscreen:on, ICANN IDN Language Group Recommendation]</ref>   

::<i> "I am most interested in the issues of emerging economies and the use of ICT and the growth of Internet or lack thereof over these environments. Therefore, the policies developed by ICANN over issues governing the global Internet particularly domain names could determine the gap in the digital divide within these economies.” <b>Sophia Bekele, Statement of Interest ICANN, 2005-2007</b></i> <ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/35142308/ICANN-IDN-Language-Group-Recommendation-IDN-1#fullscreen:on, ICANN IDN Language Group Recommendation]</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://ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111]</ref>

==Championing the International Domain Name (IDN) Policy==

==Championing the International Domain Name (IDN) Policy==