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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.<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 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).
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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]].


==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 initiated the formation of the [[AfriICANN]] grouping within [[ICANN]].<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiabekele LinkedIn]</ref>


==ICANN Work==
Sophia also initiated the first African-run bid for a [[.africa]] TLD, and is currently championing it across Africa under the non-profit, public-private partnership organization [[DotConnectAfrica]].<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org, DotConnectAfrica]</ref> Her organization has been endorsed by various prominent Pan-African organizations and African governments.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/dca-endorsements, DCA Endorsements]</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> A
 
==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>
=====CBS International=====
Ms. Bekele founded [[CBS International]], a private corporation with the goal of supporting technology in organizations working in emerging markets. The company's self-described mission is to: "Utilize our experience in consulting services in sales, software training, and provide our clients with a total systems solutions to help lower their cost and maximize efficiency in the delivery of quality products and services." CBS also consults on Business Process Engineering, implementation of Corporate Strategy & Governance & Sarbane Oxley compliance initiatives. It is based near Silicon Valley, California.
 
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>
 
=====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>
 
=====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>
 
==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>
 
==External Links==
#Open letter to Congress, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120607_dca_letter_to_congress_defense_of_status_quo_internet_governance, Sophia Bekele wrote an open letter to congress to defend status quo of internet governance]</span>, July 13, 2012
#Application to ICANN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110164398209.html, DCA Trust has applied to ICANN for the ".Africa" Geographic name]</span>, June 05, 2012
#Defending Multi Stakeholder model, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.circleid.com/posts/the_empire_fights_back, Bekele writing on Internet Governance:]</span>, April 5, 2012
#DotConnectAfrica Welcome 2012 - The Year for new gTLDs,<span class="plainlinks">[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108994717375.html, Welcome 2012 - The Year for new gTLDs - Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]</span>, Jan 14, 2011
#DotConnectAfrica to ICANN,  DCA's Executive Briefing Note following, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.prlog.org/11712380-dotconnectafrica-executive-briefing-note-at-the-icann-42-public-forum-meeting-at-dakar-senegal.htm, Executive Briefing Note at the ICANN-42 Public Forum Meeting at Dakar, Senegal]</span>, Oct 23, 2011
#Champion of .africa, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.ictcreatives.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=6&tmpl=component&format=raw&Itemid=10, Sophia Bekele names as Champion of the .africa initiative,]</span>, June, 21, 2011
#Thank you Note, <span class="plainlinks">[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105909073700.html,Sophia Bekele thankful for support and encouragement of the .africa initiative ]</span>, June 11, 2011
#Open letter to NTIA-US Department of Commerce,  <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.prlog.org/11222383-dotconnectafrica-open-letter-to-us-department-of-commerce.html, Sophia Bekele sent an open letter to the NTIA making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD]</span>, Jan 20, 2011
# DotConnectAfrica, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.prlog.org/10916169-dotconnectafrica-lauched-its-official-africa-campaign-at-the-aitec-ict-summit.html,DotConnectAfrica spoke on way-forward on the contribution of the ".africa" name to an ICT enabled environment, and launched its "Yes to a .africa Campaign", at the AITEC ICT summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.html]</span>, Sep 11, 2010
# Bekele, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.prlog.org/10918770-dotconnectafrica-provides-keynote-address-for-aitec-east-africa-ict-summit.html, Ms.Sophia Bekele, provided a Keynote address for AITEC Summit during the opening panel discussions.html]</span>, Sep 11,2010
# DotConnectAfrica, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.prlog.org/10603396-dotconnectafrica-registered-maximum-success-in-east-africa-as-the-voice-was-echoed-globally.html, DotConnectAfrica registered maximum success in East Africa as the voice was echoed globally.html]</span>, April 06, 2010
# Policy Development,<span class="plainlinks">[http://gnso.icann.org/issues/vertical-integration/soi-vi-pdp-wg-01apr10-en#bekele, Statement of Interest (SOI) Members of the Vertical Integration Policy Development Process Working Group]</span>, April, 01, 2010
# Public Forum announcement, <span class="plainlinks">[http://209.85.135.132/search?q=cache:_ggg5llDmloJ:nbo.icann.org/meetings/nairobi2010/transcript-public-forum-11mar10-en.txt+dotconnectafrica&cd=102&hl=en&ct=clnk, African Union endorsment of ".Africa" and urging for ICANN to expedite process for TLDs]</span>,Nairobi, March,11,2010
# DotConnectAfrica, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org, African Union endorsed the domain name ".Africa" to DotConnectAfrica org]</span>, Addis Ababa, February 18, 2010
# Policy Development,<span class="plainlinks">[https://st.icann.org/data/workspaces/icann-ppsc/attachments/pdp_team:20090319130415-1-29988/original/PDP%20Team%20SOI%20(19%20Mar%2009).pdf, Statement of Interest (SOI) for the Policy Development Process Steering Committee-Policy Development Team]</span>, March 19, 2009
# Internet Governance, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.ggu.edu/events/display/retrieve_event.do?id=1080 Internet Governanace & Policy Divide]</span>, San Francisco, March 10, 2009
# Public Forum announcement, <span class="plainlinks">[https://par.icann.org/files/paris/Paris-ICANNPublicForum-25JUN08.txt Continuing interest in the work of ICANN, IDNs and DotAfrica]</span>, Paris, June 25, 2008
# Farewells, <span class="plainlinks">[http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:HRW3HUz_xI4J:losangeles2007.icann.org/files/losangeles/LA-PublicForum2-1NOV07.txt+%22Sophia+Bekele%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=128&gl=uk ICANN Meeting...and had a lot of respect for, Cary Karp from registries, Mawaki Chango, noncommercial, Ross Rader, registrar, and Sophia Bekele, the NomCom appointee...]</span>, ICANN Public Forum, Part 2 Thursday, 1 November 2007
# DotAfrica, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/jpacomments2007/jpacomment_069.pdf DotAfrica�s position on JPA -National Telecommunications and Information Administration]</span>, NITA, Los Angeles, California, Feb 2008<br>
# AfriICANN-discuss, <span class="plainlinks">[https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/africann/2007-November/000542.html A debate on dot.africa]</span>, Nov 2007<br>
# AfrICANN-discuss, <span class="plainlinks">[https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/africann/2007-October/000492.html DotConnectAfrica's initiation of DotAfrica)]</span>, Nov 2007<br>
# Aftld-Discuss [AfriICANN-discuss], <span class="plainlinks">[https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/africann/2007-October/000481.html Who is DotAfrica?]</span>, Nov 2007<br>
# ICANN IDN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:wG_X_WpQ6e0J:www.bitkom.org/files/documents/ICANN_Final_Report_08_08_2007(1).pdf+sophia+bekele+icann&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=39&gl=uk GNSO Final report]</span>, Oct 2007<br>
# AfriICANN-Discuss, <span class="plainlinks">[http://lists.aftld.org/pipermail/aftld-discuss/2007-October/000183.html Dot Africa�s position on fast tracking of IDN ccTLD]</span>, Oct 2007<br>
# GNSO IDN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dd884d5b_7fhsskb Comments in Response to the ccNSO-GAC Issues report on IDN Issues]</span>, Aug 2007<br>
# GNSO IDN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:gR-kNaQSCtwJ:https://st.icann.org/alac/index.cgi/GNSO%2520IDN%2520WG%2520Final%2520Outcomes%2520Report%2520-%2520EN.pdf%3Faction%3Dattachments_download%3Bpage_name%3Dlisbon_documents%3Bid%3D20070322133647-0-22034+sophia Outcome Report of the GNSO IDN Working group]</span>, Mar 2007<br>
# At-Large policy, <span class="plainlinks">[http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/pipermail/alac_atlarge-lists.icann.org/2007q1/000277.html Policy matters for conference call agenda]</span>, Mar 2007<br>
# AfriIcann, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.icann.org/meetings/lisbon/agenda-forward-africa-28mar07.htm Going forward with ICANN- The African Region Perspective]</span>, Mar 2007<br>
# AfriICANN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.icann.org/meetings/lisbon/presentation-a-forward-africa-28mar07.pdf ICANN - GNSo Policy update - presentation to African Group by Sophia Bekele]</span>, Lisbon, Mar 2007<br>
# GNSO IDN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:gR-kNaQSCtwJ:https://st.icann.org/alac/index.cgi/GNSO%2520IDN%2520WG%2520Final%2520Outcomes%2520Report%2520-%2520EN.pdf%3Faction%3Dattachments_download%3Bpage_name%3Dlisbon_documents%3Bid%3D20070322133647-0-22034+sophia Outcome Report of the GNSO IDN WG]</span>, Mar 2007<br>
# GNSO IDN <span class="plainlinks">[http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/council/msg03256.html Regarding IDN Working Group membership issues]</span>, Mar 2007<br>
# ICANN IDN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://gnso.icann.org/meetings/transcript-IDN-wg2-23jan07.pdf IDN Working Group]</span>, Jan 2007<br>
# GNSO-IDN-WG, <span class="plainlinks">[http://forum.icann.org/lists/gnso-idn-wg/msg00036.html IDN Chair Nomination]</span>, Oct 2006<br>
# ICANNwiki, <span class="plainlinks">[http://icannwiki.org/Image:SophiaBekeleCaricature.jpg ICANNWiki Caricature]</span>, Wellington New Zealand, Mar 2006<br>
# DotConnectAfrica's Website,<span class="plainlinks">[http://dotafrica.blogspot.com/ dotconnectafrica.org - African's Map on Digital Inclusion]</span>, Mar 2006<br>
# GNSO IDN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/council/msg02233.html On IDN dialog - a debate with John C. Klensin]</span>, Mar 2006<br>
# ICANN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://nomcom.icann.org/candidate-bios-2005.htm Nominating Committee | Biographical Information on the ...]</span>, Nov 2005<br>
# ICANN NomComm <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-04nov05.htm ICANN | Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key leadership positions...]</span>, Vancouver, Canada Nov 2005<br>
# ICANN, <span class="plainlinks">[http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkxwCBcRHcw4A7X9XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE4OG40bDR0BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA0Y2NTVfODQEbANXUzE-/SIG=12amj0093/EXP=1204115074/**http%3a/gnso.icann.org/council/soi/bekele-statement.htm Sophia Bekele, Statement of Interest]</span>, Nov 2005<br>
# ISOC, <span class="plainlinks">[http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=804, appointment to a founding member & board of directors of Internet Society, San Francisco (ISOC-SF)]<span>, San Francisco, Ca, March 2009<br>
# GGU, <span class="plainlinks">[http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1863219/ Internet Governance and the policy divide]<span>, San Francisco, Ca, March 2009<br>
# IP Justice, <span class="plainlinks">[http://ipjustice.org/wp/campaigns/icann/gtlds/ New Domain Names (gtlds)]</span>, Sao Paulo Brazil, Dec 2006<br>
# Andrew Mack, <span class="plainlinks">[http://amglobal.blogspot.com/2007/09/in-world-of-com-and-org-why-not-africa.html Andy's Global View: In a world of .com and .org, why not .Africa?]</span>, Sept 2007<br>
# Del Rey Studios "A New Hope" <span class="plainlinks">[http://icannwiki.org/Episode_4_-_%22A_New_Hope%22 the idea of 'ICANN The Movie' was born]</span>! Mar 2007<br>
# TWiNic, <span class="plainlinks">[http://ianewswatch.twnic.net.tw/twnic_php/shownews.php?id=2005110401&cat=catelog_news_international_organization_monitor_list, NomComm announcement - Sophia Bekele]</span>, Nov 2005<br>
# JPNic,<span class="plainlinks">[http://nic.ad.jp/ja/topics/2005/20051109-01.html  NomComm announcement -Sophia Bekele]</span>, Nov 2005<br
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
[[category: People]]
[[category: USA]]
[[category: Ethiopia]]
__NOTOC__

Revision as of 12:23, 22 October 2012
Blog: [Sophia's Blog Sophia's Blog]
LinkedIn:    [Sophia Bekele Sophia Bekele]
Twitter:    @sophiabekele

Ms. Sophia Bekele is an entrepreneur, business executive, ICT activist, and international policy adviser on ICT/Telcom to public and private enterprise.[1][2] She is the founder and CEO of CBS International and DotConnectAfrica.[3]

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).

Early life and Family[edit | edit source]

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 [4] 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[edit | edit source]

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.[5] 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.

ICANN Work[edit | edit source]

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 IDNs 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.[6][7][8] 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.[9]

Ms. Bekele initiated the formation of the AfriICANN grouping within ICANN.[10]

Sophia also initiated the first African-run bid for a .africa TLD, and is currently championing it across Africa under the non-profit, public-private partnership organization DotConnectAfrica.[11] Her organization has been endorsed by various prominent Pan-African organizations and African governments.[12]

Corporate Experience[edit | edit source]

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.[13]

CBS International[edit | edit source]

Ms. Bekele founded CBS International, a private corporation with the goal of supporting technology in organizations working in emerging markets. The company's self-described mission is to: "Utilize our experience in consulting services in sales, software training, and provide our clients with a total systems solutions to help lower their cost and maximize efficiency in the delivery of quality products and services." CBS also consults on Business Process Engineering, implementation of Corporate Strategy & Governance & Sarbane Oxley compliance initiatives. It is based near Silicon Valley, California.

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.[14]

DotConnectAfrica[edit | edit source]

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.[15]

Other Endeavors[edit | edit source]

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.[16]

Education[edit | edit source]

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).[17]

External Links[edit | edit source]

  1. Open letter to Congress, Sophia Bekele wrote an open letter to congress to defend status quo of internet governance, July 13, 2012
  2. Application to ICANN, DCA Trust has applied to ICANN for the ".Africa" Geographic name, June 05, 2012
  3. Defending Multi Stakeholder model, Bekele writing on Internet Governance:, April 5, 2012
  4. DotConnectAfrica Welcome 2012 - The Year for new gTLDs,Welcome 2012 - The Year for new gTLDs - Yes2dotAfrica Campaign, Jan 14, 2011
  5. DotConnectAfrica to ICANN, DCA's Executive Briefing Note following, Executive Briefing Note at the ICANN-42 Public Forum Meeting at Dakar, Senegal, Oct 23, 2011
  6. Champion of .africa, Sophia Bekele names as Champion of the .africa initiative,, June, 21, 2011
  7. Thank you Note, Bekele thankful for support and encouragement of the .africa initiative , June 11, 2011
  8. Open letter to NTIA-US Department of Commerce, Sophia Bekele sent an open letter to the NTIA making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD, Jan 20, 2011
  9. DotConnectAfrica, spoke on way-forward on the contribution of the ".africa" name to an ICT enabled environment, and launched its "Yes to a .africa Campaign", at the AITEC ICT summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.html, Sep 11, 2010
  10. Bekele, Ms.Sophia Bekele, provided a Keynote address for AITEC Summit during the opening panel discussions.html, Sep 11,2010
  11. DotConnectAfrica, DotConnectAfrica registered maximum success in East Africa as the voice was echoed globally.html, April 06, 2010
  12. Policy Development,Statement of Interest (SOI) Members of the Vertical Integration Policy Development Process Working Group, April, 01, 2010
  13. Public Forum announcement, African Union endorsment of ".Africa" and urging for ICANN to expedite process for TLDs,Nairobi, March,11,2010
  14. DotConnectAfrica, African Union endorsed the domain name ".Africa" to DotConnectAfrica org, Addis Ababa, February 18, 2010
  15. Policy Development,Statement of Interest (SOI) for the Policy Development Process Steering Committee-Policy Development Team, March 19, 2009
  16. Internet Governance, Internet Governanace & Policy Divide, San Francisco, March 10, 2009
  17. Public Forum announcement, Continuing interest in the work of ICANN, IDNs and DotAfrica, Paris, June 25, 2008
  18. Farewells, ICANN Meeting...and had a lot of respect for, Cary Karp from registries, Mawaki Chango, noncommercial, Ross Rader, registrar, and Sophia Bekele, the NomCom appointee..., ICANN Public Forum, Part 2 Thursday, 1 November 2007
  19. DotAfrica, [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/jpacomments2007/jpacomment_069.pdf DotAfrica�s position on JPA -National Telecommunications and Information Administration], NITA, Los Angeles, California, Feb 2008
  20. AfriICANN-discuss, A debate on dot.africa, Nov 2007
  21. AfrICANN-discuss, DotConnectAfrica's initiation of DotAfrica), Nov 2007
  22. Aftld-Discuss [AfriICANN-discuss], Who is DotAfrica?, Nov 2007
  23. ICANN IDN, GNSO Final report, Oct 2007
  24. AfriICANN-Discuss, [http://lists.aftld.org/pipermail/aftld-discuss/2007-October/000183.html Dot Africa�s position on fast tracking of IDN ccTLD], Oct 2007
  25. GNSO IDN, Comments in Response to the ccNSO-GAC Issues report on IDN Issues, Aug 2007
  26. GNSO IDN, Outcome Report of the GNSO IDN Working group, Mar 2007
  27. At-Large policy, Policy matters for conference call agenda, Mar 2007
  28. AfriIcann, Going forward with ICANN- The African Region Perspective, Mar 2007
  29. AfriICANN, ICANN - GNSo Policy update - presentation to African Group by Sophia Bekele, Lisbon, Mar 2007
  30. GNSO IDN, Outcome Report of the GNSO IDN WG, Mar 2007
  31. GNSO IDN Regarding IDN Working Group membership issues, Mar 2007
  32. ICANN IDN, IDN Working Group, Jan 2007
  33. GNSO-IDN-WG, IDN Chair Nomination, Oct 2006
  34. ICANNwiki, ICANNWiki Caricature, Wellington New Zealand, Mar 2006
  35. DotConnectAfrica's Website,dotconnectafrica.org - African's Map on Digital Inclusion, Mar 2006
  36. GNSO IDN, On IDN dialog - a debate with John C. Klensin, Mar 2006
  37. ICANN, Nominating Committee | Biographical Information on the ..., Nov 2005
  38. ICANN NomComm ICANN | Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key leadership positions..., Vancouver, Canada Nov 2005
  39. ICANN, Sophia Bekele, Statement of Interest, Nov 2005
  40. ISOC, appointment to a founding member & board of directors of Internet Society, San Francisco (ISOC-SF), San Francisco, Ca, March 2009
  41. GGU, Internet Governance and the policy divide, San Francisco, Ca, March 2009
  42. IP Justice, New Domain Names (gtlds), Sao Paulo Brazil, Dec 2006
  43. Andrew Mack, Andy's Global View: In a world of .com and .org, why not .Africa?, Sept 2007
  44. Del Rey Studios "A New Hope" the idea of 'ICANN The Movie' was born! Mar 2007
  45. TWiNic, NomComm announcement - Sophia Bekele, Nov 2005
  46. JPNic,NomComm announcement -Sophia Bekele, Nov 2005<br

References[edit | edit source]

Generic Names Supporting Organization. Develops and recommends to the Board substantive policies relating to generic top-level domains and other responsibilities set forth in the Bylaws (ICANN Bylaws).

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