Changes

Bekele was elected and served as a member of the ICANN Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization), which advises on global internet policy and the policy development work on new generic Top Level Domain name.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/candidates-2013-11-13-en Sophia Bekele ICANN GNSO]</ref>  During her term at [[ICANN]], she has championed the IDN Policy Dialog for the international community. Concurrently, Bekele initiated the first African-run Registry for a .africa TLD, under DotConnectAfrica Trust, and run a successful 6-year “Yes2dotAfrica” global awareness campaign.<ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/Governments-have-no-role-in-managing-gTLDs Governments have no role in managing gTLDs]</ref> <ref>[https://thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/living-and-the-arts/lifestyle/item/324-an-ethiopian-woman-fighting-for-africa-a-new-generic-top-level-domain An Ethiopian woman fighting for .africa, a new generic Top-Level Domain]</ref><ref>[http://blog.ud.com/2012/03/new-gtld-news-connecting-a-continent-with-africa/ New gTLD News: Connecting a Continent with .AFRICA]</ref>

Bekele was elected and served as a member of the ICANN Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization), which advises on global internet policy and the policy development work on new generic Top Level Domain name.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/candidates-2013-11-13-en Sophia Bekele ICANN GNSO]</ref>  During her term at [[ICANN]], she has championed the IDN Policy Dialog for the international community. Concurrently, Bekele initiated the first African-run Registry for a .africa TLD, under DotConnectAfrica Trust, and run a successful 6-year “Yes2dotAfrica” global awareness campaign.<ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/Governments-have-no-role-in-managing-gTLDs Governments have no role in managing gTLDs]</ref> <ref>[https://thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/living-and-the-arts/lifestyle/item/324-an-ethiopian-woman-fighting-for-africa-a-new-generic-top-level-domain An Ethiopian woman fighting for .africa, a new generic Top-Level Domain]</ref><ref>[http://blog.ud.com/2012/03/new-gtld-news-connecting-a-continent-with-africa/ New gTLD News: Connecting a Continent with .AFRICA]</ref>

Bekele 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, 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).  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.<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/prodigal-prodigy-cbs-international-sophia-bekele.pdf Prodigal prodigy K Kaufman]</ref> <ref>[http://ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111 Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref>

Bekele 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, 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).  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.<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/prodigal-prodigy-cbs-international-sophia-bekele.pdf Prodigal prodigy K Kaufman]</ref> <ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/database/sophia-bekele-eshete/ Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref>

In 2013, Bekele was named Top <b><i>“50 Trailblazers – A future made in Africa”</i></b>, by the influential UK’s NewAfrican Magazine, an IC Publications group, <i>“Collector’s Edition”</i> which coincides with the continent’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union, and featured individuals <i>“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.”  </i><ref>[http://techmoran.com/juliana-rotich-jason-njoku-alex-okosi-sophia-bekele-barrack-obama-named-top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-newafrican-magazine/,Juliana Rotich, Jason Njoku, Alex Okosi, Sophia Bekele & Barrack Obama Named Top “50 African Trailblazers” By UK’s NewAfrican Magazine]</ref><ref>[http://aptantech.com/2013/07/dcas-sophia-bekele-named-among-50-african-trailblazers-by-newafrican-magazine/ DCA’s Sophia Bekele named among “50 African Trailblazers” by NewAfrican Magazine]</ref> <ref>[http://www.undpegov.org/node/6431 Africa: DotConnectAfrica's Sophia Bekele Named One of 50 African Trailblazers]</ref><ref>[ http://naijacelebritynews.blogspot.com/2013/08/top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-new.htm/, Top “50 African Trailblazers” By UK’s New African Magazine: Juliana Rotich, Jason Njoku, Alex Okosi, Sophia Bekele & Barrack Obama Named]</ref> <ref>[ http://www.kenyanews.net/index.php/sid/214959307/scat/c1ab2109a5bf37ecAfrica: DotConnectAfrica's Sophia Bekele Named One of 50 African Trailblazers by NewAfrican Magazine]</ref><ref>[http://issuu.com/icpubs/docs/na0513_combinedissue_lowres?e=6326645/2549184,A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African page 59]</ref> Bekele was also named as one of the <i><b>“two leading ladies in Africa’s ICT sector”</b></i> by “Bloomberg TV”<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20131129_african_women_to_watch_sophia_bekele_on_bloomberg_tv/ "African Women to Watch" - Sophia Bekele on Bloomberg TV]</ref> and enumerated in “African Women to Watch” a  prime TV program,  that <i>“celebrates the most fearless, competitive and visionary African women of our time” </i>,  and explores <i><b>“the women working hard to close the gender gap and  shaping the continent’s social, political and economic landscape”</b></i>.  

In 2013, Bekele was named Top <b><i>“50 Trailblazers – A future made in Africa”</i></b>, by the influential UK’s NewAfrican Magazine, an IC Publications group, <i>“Collector’s Edition”</i> which coincides with the continent’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union, and featured individuals <i>“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.”  </i><ref>[http://techmoran.com/juliana-rotich-jason-njoku-alex-okosi-sophia-bekele-barrack-obama-named-top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-newafrican-magazine/,Juliana Rotich, Jason Njoku, Alex Okosi, Sophia Bekele & Barrack Obama Named Top “50 African Trailblazers” By UK’s NewAfrican Magazine]</ref><ref>[http://aptantech.com/2013/07/dcas-sophia-bekele-named-among-50-african-trailblazers-by-newafrican-magazine/ DCA’s Sophia Bekele named among “50 African Trailblazers” by NewAfrican Magazine]</ref> <ref>[http://www.undpegov.org/node/6431 Africa: DotConnectAfrica's Sophia Bekele Named One of 50 African Trailblazers]</ref><ref>[ http://naijacelebritynews.blogspot.com/2013/08/top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-new.htm/, Top “50 African Trailblazers” By UK’s New African Magazine: Juliana Rotich, Jason Njoku, Alex Okosi, Sophia Bekele & Barrack Obama Named]</ref> <ref>[ http://www.kenyanews.net/index.php/sid/214959307/scat/c1ab2109a5bf37ecAfrica: DotConnectAfrica's Sophia Bekele Named One of 50 African Trailblazers by NewAfrican Magazine]</ref><ref>[http://issuu.com/icpubs/docs/na0513_combinedissue_lowres?e=6326645/2549184,A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African page 59]</ref> Bekele was also named as one of the <i><b>“two leading ladies in Africa’s ICT sector”</b></i> by “Bloomberg TV”<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20131129_african_women_to_watch_sophia_bekele_on_bloomberg_tv/ "African Women to Watch" - Sophia Bekele on Bloomberg TV]</ref> and enumerated in “African Women to Watch” a  prime TV program,  that <i>“celebrates the most fearless, competitive and visionary African women of our time” </i>,  and explores <i><b>“the women working hard to close the gender gap and  shaping the continent’s social, political and economic landscape”</b></i>.  

CBS International 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://cbsegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/auditor-says-parliament-award-improper.pdf Ethiopian Parliament Integrated Information Network Infrastructure]</ref>  

CBS International 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://cbsegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/auditor-says-parliament-award-improper.pdf Ethiopian Parliament Integrated Information Network Infrastructure]</ref>  

Ms. Bekele and her company CBS International has also assisted various U.S. Clients in the public/private markets, primarily in corporate governance and risk management areas, including the recent Sarbanes-Oxley ACT, GAAP & PCAOB.  In these areas, her selected clients has included OnScreen Technologies, Inc. (OTC), Intel Corp. (Nasdaq) BDO Sieldman LLP, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB), Genentech Corp (Gene).<ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111 Ethiopian Women Unleashed Mary-Jane Wagle; Betel Bekele (August 2012)]</ref>

Ms. Bekele and her company CBS International has also assisted various U.S. Clients in the public/private markets, primarily in corporate governance and risk management areas, including the recent Sarbanes-Oxley ACT, GAAP & PCAOB.  In these areas, her selected clients has included OnScreen Technologies, Inc. (OTC), Intel Corp. (Nasdaq) BDO Sieldman LLP, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB), Genentech Corp (Gene).<ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/database/sophia-bekele-eshete/ Ethiopian Women Unleashed Mary-Jane Wagle; Betel Bekele (August 2012)]</ref>

==DotConnectAfrica (DCA)==

==DotConnectAfrica (DCA)==

==Other Endeavors and Leadership Positions==

==Other Endeavors and Leadership Positions==

With registered successes in ICT project delivery, Bekele has been elected and served on a number of United Nations initiatives, such as the UN-ICT Taskforce and UNECA-sponsored African Information Society Initiative (AISI) and East African Representative to the African Regional Network (ARN), UNGAID, and UNPAN, where she represents the private sector in discussions about the economic development of Africa.<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/leadership/ Sophia Bekele Leadership]</ref> <ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/groups/nomcom/2005/candidates Nominating Committee | Biographical Information on the Nominees 2005]</ref> <ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111 Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref> The African Information Society Initiative (AISI) advised the UN Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on building a new information society for Africa.  The 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.  During this period of her appointment to the African Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC)<ref>[http://repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/18475/Bib-36363.pdf?sequence=1, report of the meeting of partners for information and communication]</ref> by H.E. K.Y. Amoako, then Executive Secretary of the UNECA,  Bekele co-authored the 'Common Position for Africa's Digital Inclusion'<ref>[http://repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/3069/Bib-25591.pdf?sequence=1, Common Position for Africa's Digital Inclusion]</ref>, which was developed in response to the ECA Conference of Minister's Resolution 812 (XXXI)<ref>[http://www.uneca.org/pages/812-xxxi-implementation-african-information-society-initiative-aisi, 812 (XXXI). Implementation of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI)]</ref>. The 'Common Position' was a blueprint that reflected Africa's ICT position communicated to various global forums such as the G8 DOT Force, ECOSOC, the UN Task Force, World Economic Forum, NEPAD initiatives, etc. She has since 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.

With registered successes in ICT project delivery, Bekele has been elected and served on a number of United Nations initiatives, such as the UN-ICT Taskforce and UNECA-sponsored African Information Society Initiative (AISI) and East African Representative to the African Regional Network (ARN), UNGAID, and UNPAN, where she represents the private sector in discussions about the economic development of Africa.<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/leadership/ Sophia Bekele Leadership]</ref> <ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/groups/nomcom/2005/candidates Nominating Committee | Biographical Information on the Nominees 2005]</ref> <ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/database/sophia-bekele-eshete/ Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref> The African Information Society Initiative (AISI) advised the UN Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on building a new information society for Africa.  The 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.  During this period of her appointment to the African Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC)<ref>[http://repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/18475/Bib-36363.pdf?sequence=1, report of the meeting of partners for information and communication]</ref> by H.E. K.Y. Amoako, then Executive Secretary of the UNECA,  Bekele co-authored the 'Common Position for Africa's Digital Inclusion'<ref>[http://repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/3069/Bib-25591.pdf?sequence=1, Common Position for Africa's Digital Inclusion]</ref>, which was developed in response to the ECA Conference of Minister's Resolution 812 (XXXI)<ref>[http://www.uneca.org/pages/812-xxxi-implementation-african-information-society-initiative-aisi, 812 (XXXI). Implementation of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI)]</ref>. The 'Common Position' was a blueprint that reflected Africa's ICT position communicated to various global forums such as the G8 DOT Force, ECOSOC, the UN Task Force, World Economic Forum, NEPAD initiatives, etc. She has since 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.

Bekele is also a co-founder and Executive Board Member of Internet Society Chapter (ISOC) San Francisco Bay<ref>[http://www.sfbayisoc.org/founding-members/, Founding Members ISOC San Francisco Bay]</ref> and was elected and served for two tenures as Alumni Board member of Golden Gate University. Bekele was a former Board Member of ISACA (Information Systems and Control Association), and a steering committee member to the World Affairs Council, Contra Costa. Bekele has also served as an Ambassador to various Rotary Clubs, where she has earned recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow for her contributions.<ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/profile_detail.php?PId=111 Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref>

Bekele is also a co-founder and Executive Board Member of Internet Society Chapter (ISOC) San Francisco Bay<ref>[http://www.sfbayisoc.org/founding-members/, Founding Members ISOC San Francisco Bay]</ref> and was elected and served for two tenures as Alumni Board member of Golden Gate University. Bekele was a former Board Member of ISACA (Information Systems and Control Association), and a steering committee member to the World Affairs Council, Contra Costa. Bekele has also served as an Ambassador to various Rotary Clubs, where she has earned recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow for her contributions.<ref>[http://www.ethiopianwomenunleashed.org/database/sophia-bekele-eshete/ Ethiopian Women Unleashed]</ref>

==Domain Industry Advocacy==

==Domain Industry Advocacy==