03/11/2025
Alyou Alem Tebeje
Professional Summary
Innovative media founder, technologist, and business analyst with more than 15 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning digital publishing, embedded systems engineering, and financial analysis.
Founder & Publisher of The Habesha Media Network (Zehabesha.com) — one of the most respected Ethiopian diaspora news organizations worldwide. Recognized for merging technical expertise with journalistic leadership to promote independent media, civic dialogue, and cultural connection across global Ethiopian communities.
Core Competencies
Digital Media Leadership & Editorial Strategy
Nonprofit and Community-Based Journalism
Web Administration & VPS Optimization
CDN Architecture | Cloudflare | BunnyCDN | Litespeed | NGINX
SEO & Analytics (RankMath, Moz, SEMrush, Ahrefs)
Multimedia & Video Editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
Embedded Systems Design & Testing
Financial Modeling & Business Analysis
Cross-Cultural Leadership | Diaspora Engagement
Professional Experience
Founder & Publisher — Zehabesha.com / The Habesha Media Network
Portland, OR | 2005 – Present
Founded and expanded Zehabesha from a small blog (originally Mender.com) into a global Ethiopian diaspora digital media network reaching millions of readers.
Leads editorial operations, digital infrastructure, and public relations under a nonprofit model prioritizing independence and integrity.
Oversees content strategy, contributor network, and bilingual (English & Amharic) publishing.
Manages all web systems: VPS servers, CDN optimization, caching layers, database performance, and cybersecurity.
Implements SEO and analytics strategies resulting in consistent top-ranking visibility for “Ethiopian News” and related key terms.
Mentors writers and video editors; integrates AI-assisted workflows and multimedia storytelling.
Builds partnerships with diaspora organizations, NGOs, and academic contributors to strengthen civic engagement and cultural preservation.
Embedded Systems Engineer — Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Portland, OR | 2016 – 2020
Developed, tested, and optimized embedded control systems for aerospace applications.
Collaborated with cross-functional engineering teams to improve performance and reliability of automated components.
Authored process documentation and technical validation reports complying with FAA and internal quality standards.
Business / Financial Analyst — Wachovia Bank
Minneapolis, MN | 2007 – 2009
Supported investment and operations projects using Charles River IMS and Eagle STAR/PACE systems.
Conducted financial modeling, variance analysis, and reporting for asset-management initiatives.
Streamlined data workflows and improved accuracy of portfolio-performance dashboards.
Video Editor / Multimedia Producer (Independent)
2009 – Present
Produces and edits news features, interviews, and cultural documentaries for Zehabesha and partner channels.
Specializes in storyboarding, color correction, and post-production for bilingual content.
Integrates visual storytelling with social-media distribution for audience growth.
Education
Doctoral Studies — Leadership & Management
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota — Completed postgraduate coursework
Master of Business Administration (MBA) — International Finance
Argosy University, Twin Cities — 2005
Bachelor of Science — Business Finance (Minor in Economics)
Metropolitan State University of Minnesota — Early 2000s
Selected Achievements
Built one of the largest Ethiopian diaspora news platforms, attracting over 1 million backlinks and top Moz Domain Authority rankings.
Recognized by diaspora communities for contributions to independent Ethiopian journalism and civic education.
Implemented global CDN and SEO frameworks that improved Zehabesha’s page-load time by 65%.
Published and edited hundreds of analytical articles on democracy, governance, and cultural identity.
Technical & Digital Skills
Web/Tech: WordPress, Cloudflare, BunnyCDN, ScalaHosting, Litespeed, MySQL, cPanel
Media: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Audacity, Photoshop, Canva
SEO & Analytics: Google Search Console, RankMath, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz
Engineering: C/C++, Python (scripting), MATLAB (controls simulation)
Finance: Eagle PACE, Charles River IMS, Excel Advanced Modeling
Community Involvement
Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA): Supporter and media partner for annual tournaments and cultural events.
Mentorship: Trains diaspora youth in digital publishing and multimedia skills.
Advocacy: Promotes press freedom and ethical journalism in Ethiopia and the diaspora.
