She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DotConnectAfrica (DCA) Group, a pan-African platform advancing digital infrastructure, internet governance, and inclusive innovation. Through its flagship programs and CSR initiatives, DCA has empowered women and youth across 12 African countries, translating policy intent into scalable social and economic impact.

Bekele is also the Founder and Managing Director of CBSegroup, a San Francisco Bay Area–based technology and advisory firm she established following her corporate career. In addition, she serves as Chair of the Global Economic Development Alliance (GEDA) Investment Group, guiding investment strategies across technology, finance, media, and real estate—treating capital as a tool for long-term institutional development.

Leadership & Governance Mandate

Bekele’s leadership is defined by jurisdiction, not titles. She has served on senior advisory and policy bodies shaping global technology and internet governance, including the global internet regulator ICANN and multiple United Nations–affiliated platforms. Her work has influenced policy frameworks around domain name systems, Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), and Africa’s positioning within the global internet architecture.

Her approach consistently emphasizes transparency, accountability, and fair competition—often challenging entrenched interests to ensure digital public goods are governed in the public interest.

Corporate Foundations & Entrepreneurship

Earlier in her career, Bekele built a strong corporate foundation working with Fortune 500 institutions, developing expertise in enterprise systems, security auditing, risk management, and governance. She later founded CBS International (now CBSegroup), pioneering early technology-transfer models between the United States and Africa, delivering large-scale network infrastructure projects for governments, and advising global corporations and emerging ventures on governance and enterprise systems.

Her work is marked by a consistent through-line: design institutions that endure, not projects that expire

Thought Leadership & Global Engagement

A sought-after keynote speaker and high-level panel moderator, Bekele regularly addresses international conferences and high-level forums on technology governance, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and economic development. She is a published writer and media commentator on technology, business, and public policy, and maintains an active public voice focused on what she calls “conversations that matter”—spanning leadership, wellness, and self-development.  

Awards & Global Recognition

Bekele’s leadership and impact have been recognized by international institutions, global media, and policy platforms across Africa, Europe, and the United States for her contributions to technology governance, digital innovation, and inclusive development.

She has been featured and honored by international media and leadership platforms, including CIOViews, Success Pitchers Magazine, Avance Media, Silicon Valley Business Journal, CEO Today Africa Awards, Bloomberg TV, ITU/UN Equals in Tech, CIO East Africa, NewAfrican Magazine, and others—recognizing her as a trailblazer in technology governance and African digital leadership.

→ Read More: Global Recognition & Honors

Education & Credentials