Mrs Bekele-Thomas was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD by the African Union Heads of State and Government at the Thirty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in February 2022. Prior to her appointment, she served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, and in 2016, as the Senior Director of the Office of the former UN Secretary-General, H.E. Ban Ki-Moon. Her previous roles include UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya and Benin, and Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Kenya. Mrs. Bekele-Thomas has a robust background in economic and social development, focusing on inclusive strategies that cater to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. She is a fervent advocate for women's and youth empowerment, enhancing trade and investment in Africa with strategic regional and global partnerships, and promoting economic empowerment as essential for sustainable development.Her early career was dedicated to private sector development, where she was a Private Sector Policy Adviser, significantly contributing to strengthening African business associations and fostering entrepreneurship. She holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Development, Monetary Economics, and Econometrics from New York University. A respected author, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas is also a member of professional associations like ASSA and the American Economic Association, and part of the Group of African Imminent Women. Her accolades include the AU DAF Award of “2015 Woman of Excellence” and the 2007 Living Legend Achiever’s Award.
