Blain Bekele

Blain Bekele is a Program Officer at The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine since August 2022, with a robust background in management and operations. Previously, Blain served as the Manager of Member Operations and Special Projects at the Association of Old Crows (AOC) from January 2015 to August 2022, where oversight of an annual STEM exhibition was key, leading to a 150% increase in event attendance and growth in volunteers and exhibitors. Additionally, Blain interned at the Center for the Rights of Ethiopian Women, contributing to communications strategy and event organization while balancing a full-time job. Blain holds a Master's degree in Conflict Sensitive Humanitarian and Development Programming from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Justice System from The University of Virginia's College at Wise, with a minor in Sociology. A cultural exchange experience was also completed at Ewha Womans University in 2013.