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MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
February 18, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350Pennsylvania Avenue,NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 5 of the Office and Commission on
African Affairs Act of 2006, effective June 8, 2006 (D.C. Law 16-111, D.C. Official Code§ 2-1394),
I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Ms. Y odit Shibru
Fort Lincoln Drive, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(Ward 5)
for reappointment as a public member of the Commission on African Affairs, for a term to end October
27, 2027.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council's earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
airman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the reappointment ofYodit Shibru to the Commission on African Affairs.
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17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on African Affairs Y odit Shibru Confirmation
19 Resolution of 2025".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
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22 Y odit Shibru
23 Fort Lincoln Drive, NE
24 Washington, DC 20018
25 (Ward 5)
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27 as a public member of the Commission on African Affairs, established by section 4 of the Office
28 and Commission on African Affairs Act of 2006, effective June 8, 2006 (D.C. Law 16-111, D.C.
29 Official Code§ 2-1393), for a term to end October 27, 2027.
30 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
31 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
32 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
YODIT SHIBRU
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Performance-driven professional with a passion to serving SMEs and over 15 years combined experience in
Management, Business Development, Coaching, International Development and Humanitarian Programs.
Strong Communication, Interpersonal Relations, Mentoring and Organizational Skills. Living and working
experience in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe and United States. Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS
CORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Handled all functions related to the Small Business Development Center.
• Recognized as one of the top business development advisors in the District of Columbia by the
ASBDC.
• Developed long-term relationships with economic development entities, government agencies,
community organizations, international development organizations, and CSOs/NGOs.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Global Strategic Advisors Group, LLC 11/2020/Present
CEO
• Direct the company in keeping with the vision outlined for the company.
• Partner with high-level officers to grow the company, strengthen it and ensure its
sustainability.
• Represent the company as required, including attendance of important functions, industry
events and public meetings.
• Work closely with the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) to prepare annual budgets.
• Oversee quality control throughout the company, establishing goals for each department in
partnership with division managers.
• Analytical Skills
• Capacity Building
• Tri-lingual (English, French and Amharic)
• Strategic Planning
• Research
• Workshop/Training Planning
• Excellent Computer Skills
• Self-motivated
• Leadership/communication skills
• Departmental Operations Management
• Business Development Consulting
• International Trade Consulting
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• Staff Development
• Technical Assistance
• Marketing/Web Development
Director for Government Contracts & Procurement Services 11/2019/11/Present
Howard University – Washington, DC
• Work closely with Executive Director in planning, implementing, managing, evaluating,
reviewing and reporting DC SBDC activities throughout the DC Network and report directly
to the Executive Director.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop, research, and write proposals for contracts or
grants, including development of budgets and contracts for the sub-contractor service centers.
• Work closely with all funders and partners of the DC SBDC at Howard University, including
the Mayor’s Office, the District Council Members’ Offices, Howard University officials, and
the US SBA, EPA, the media, general public, and ASBDC.
• Manage new and ongoing DC wide programs including the Business Counseling and
Workshop Presentation efforts of the service providers in the service centers.
• Develop the formal Government Procurement and Business Development and Certification
programs to assist DC SBDC clients.
• Interact with a variety of internal contacts including university officials, academic Deans and
Directors.
• Coordinate with external contacts including Federal procurement and certification program
managers and various contacts from Federal government agencies.
• Stay current with government contracts and procurement legislative and regulatory
developments and develop, present, and monitor training programs to communicate those
matters to the Executive Director, personnel and DC SBDC clients.
Center Director 06/2017/11/2019
AEDC/DC SBDC, Anacostia Economic Development Corporation – Washington, DC
• Leading and managing the AEDC Business Development Center
• Provide strategic leadership and supervision of operations and services.
• Provide business consulting and coaching in the areas of business planning, marketing & sales
strategy, operations management, financial planning, general business practices, international
trade, local and federal governmental certifications and other areas.
• Strengthen the Center by leading implementation of the strategic plan. Direct businesses to
appropriate business resources.
• Assist with special projects as determined by the AEDC President & CEO and Vice President
& COO and or the needs of the small business community.
• Coordinate and conducts training programs for small businesses. Prepare and submit DC-
SBDC reports, as required.
Business Consultant 04/2015 – 05/2017
Anacostia Economic Development Corporation – Washington, DC
• Conducted business planning and organizational assessments for small businesses.
• Provided technical assistance to start-up and existing companies with establishing or
expanding their business, developing a business and marketing plan, loan packaging,
obtaining local or federal certification and general business practices.
• Analyzed financial statements during business loan seeking process, conducted business
market research, and issued action plans.
• Ensured program documents are current, completed, and stored appropriately. Conducted
comprehensive analysis of potential business venture opportunities.
Administrative Assistant 03/2014 – 03/2015
Anacostia Economic Development Corporation – Washington, DC
• Provided support to senior managers and counselors to ensure that they are provided with the
resources to make effective decisions.
• Organized and maintained files and records.
• Planned and schedule meetings and appointments; and other professional administrative
support as assigned.
Project/Budget Analyst 01/2010 – 01/2014
Elda Technologies - Alexandria, VA
• Served as the Lead Budget Analyst for the Chief Executive Officer
• Provided advice and guidance in the day-to-day management, contracting, and on potential
financial
problems; Managed annual grants and contracts.
Program Manager 05/2004 – 9/2009
Initiative Africa (IA) - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Designed and managed the implementation of activities of more than 52 projects.
• Managed multi-year grants, contract and sub-contracts. Ensured the timely accurate
submission of donor(s) reports.
• Acted as Officer in-Charge in absence of Country Director.
• Served as point of contact with high level partners, including donors, international
development organizations, CSOs/NGOs for grants related matters at national and
international level.
• Managed pre and post ward process of multi-year program. Provided capacity building
support, and technical guidance to relevant CSOs, NGOs, private and public institutions.
Developed, analyzed, and executed estimates of annual funding needs for current and future
fiscal years.
Consultant 09/2003-04/2004
Center for Development Consulting – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Developed gender integrated project proposal, including budget, on needs assessment for
training in M&E, MIS and Research in all districts of Tanzania for submission to the
Tanzanian Commission on AIDS (TACAIDS).
• Facilitated focus group discussion on ICT, Gender and Social issues as well as wrote a
concise field mission report with clear and justified findings and recommendations.
Program Officer 04/1998-02/2002
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Kigali Rwanda
• Managed contracts, grants and budgets of 30 projects for the Refugee & Returnee Programs.
• Developed, coordinated and defended project proposals and budgets from implementing
partners.
• Monitored the disbursement and expenditure level against obligation levels.
• Coordinated plans and activities with government line ministries, partners, and sister UN
agencies.
• Provided regular functional guidance, practical coaching, constructive feedback and technical
programming support to field offices and implementing partner staff.
AWARDS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office on African Affairs Commissions Chair
America’s SBDC Professional Development and Education – Conference Committee Appointee
DC-SBDC Network’s 2017 “State Star”
EDUCATION
M.A, in International Development and Education – 1996
George Washington University, Washington DC
B.A, Business Administration, Minor Computer Information Systems – 1994
Strayer University, Arlington VA
Sherpa Executive Coaching Certification – 2018
2018 Certificate of Completion
SBDCs and the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP); Leveraging International Trade;
Partnerships to Increase Client Impact; Export Opportunities in Latin America; BIS Training Session
1 & 3; Schedule B Harmonized Code Training; SEO for Connecting SBDC Clients
Advising Clients with Different Personalities; Small Business Opportunities in Film and
Entertainment
2017 Certificate of Completion
Strategic Planning: The Process & Product 9-Step Process: Empowering Clients to Create Effective
Teams; Living Better- Understanding Motivation; Small Business Network of the Americas;
SBDC Global Internationalization Meeting; Collaborating with SBA to Promote International Trade;
U.S. Trade Policy Outlook Overview of Export Controls for SMEs: Export Regulations;
An Introduction to WordPress for Small Business; Website Localization for International Companies
2016 Certificate of Completion
LivePlan Expert Advisor Certification; Wix Websites for Small Business
Importing into the United; ACE Export Reports – Manage your Export Transactions
International Documentations; SBDC Global.com-Connect to Global Markets International
Roundtable;
Best Practices for International Trade Assistance
2015 Certificate of Completion
Understanding International Trade Compliance; International Trade Introduction
Best Practices for New-To-Export Clients; Creating Export Management Compliance Program
Developing Financial Projections; How to Run an International Trade Center SBDC
Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Yodit Shibru
Ms. Yodit Shirbru is the founder and owner of Global Strategic
Advisors Group, LLC, a Washington, DC -based business consulting
company. She provides counseling and small business consulting and
advisory services to small businesses interested in the global market,
obtaining local, state, and federal certifications and those pursuing
government procurement opportunities.
Ms. Shibru has also served the DC Small Business Development Center
(DCSBDC) Network for ten years, providing counseling and small
business consulting on various topics, such as business planning,
business loan readiness, business registration, market research, financial
reviews, and international trade.
Ms. Shibru was the Host Center Director of the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation
(AEDC) DC-SBDC Network Service Center for over two years. She led the development,
delivery, and reporting on all programs, activities, and services. Ms. Shibru also managed a team
of professional business consultants, leading them to work with small businesses serving Ward 7
and Ward 8 of Washington, DC.
Ms. Shibru has over twenty- four years of international experience in humanitarian and
development programs. She has on- site work experience in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and
Europe. One of her many accomplishments occurred in June of 2019, when Mayor Muriel Bowser
appointed Ms. Shibru as the Chairperson of the Commission of African Affairs for the District’s
Office on African Affairs, which she has served as for three years.
Ms. Shibru earned an Executive Coaching Certificate from the Howard University/Sherpa
program. Ms. Shibru accomplished the following certifications: SBA International Trade
Certified, How to Run an International Trade Center and Import into the United States,
International Trade Compliance, and Best Practices for New -To-Export Clients. Her most recent
accomplishment came in 2022 as Ms. Shibru received the DC -SBDC 2022 State Star award for
her superior counseling services, providing quality assistance in supporting client(s) efforts to start
and grow their businesses. She also received this award in 2017, proving that her expertise and
dedication to growing and expanding small businesses in Washington, DC, is recognized by her
peers and, most importantly, the clients she serves.
A Ward 5 resident, Ms. Shibru earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Stayer
University and her Master of Arts in International Development and Education from George
Washington University.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
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The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Yodit Shibru as a member
of the Commission on African Affairs
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Order and found
it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate
to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-727-
0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish