Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu wins 2011 OUTSTANDING BUSINESSWOMAN Award

Chosen from a field of deeply distinguished business leaders from across the continent, Bethlehem becomes the first Ethiopian to ever win the award!

London, United Kingdom, June 23 2011 – Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu , founder and managing director of trailblazing footwear brand soleRebels has been named Outstanding Businesswoman at the 2011 African Business Awards .

Organized by IC Publications, publishers of the African Business Magazine, the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), and Business in Africa Events, the African Business Awards brings together the most prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, heads of state and other high-ranking government officials from across the world to celebrate the achievements and successes of those who have played a pivotal role in driving Africa’s economic development forward. Now in its fourth year, the African Business Awards has established itself as the key annual event on the calendars of the African business community.

“ I am excited and deeply honored by this award. I accept it on behalf of all the persons who have played and continue to play a role in my success. My success has been and continues to be a truly collective effort , ” stated Bethlehem as she received the Award.

Chosen from a field of deeply distinguished business leaders from across the continent, Bethlehem becomes the first Ethiopian to ever win the award. A distinguished and independent panel of judges, known and respected for their business expertise on the African region, decided on the final winners of each award. The judges for this year’s Awards were: Omari Issa, CEO, Investment Climate Facility for Africa; Ruma Alam, CEO, Development Partners International; Amadou Ba, President and Director, AllAfrica Global Media; Sir. Samuel Esson Jonah, Founder, Jonah Capital; Tim Turner, Director Private Sector, African Development Bank; Barbara James, Founder and CEO, Henshaw Capital Partners; and Jean-Louis Ekra, CEO, Afrexim Bank.

Commenting on her award , Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Business magazine, stated : “Bethlehem is truly a remarkable entrepreneur and leader . She has built an incredibly successful company and a global brand from scratch. At the same time she has empowered her community and her country while presenting a galvanized, dynamic face of African creativity to the global market. With that in mind we are excited and honored to name her Outstanding Business Woman of the year ”