Maheder Aekalu

Maheder Aekalu is an Addis Abeba native cultural worker and project manager, currently based in Los Angeles, California. She is a personable and highly motivated individual, with a passion for hospitality, culture, project management and event production. Familiar working on all aspects of planning and execution of various project visions.

PROJECT LAKOU, OPERATIONS MANAGER — MAY 2022 - APRIL 2023

coordinated the planning and execution of 14 events in Oaxaca and México City

organized meetings with clients and collaborators to develop production objectives, deliverables and schedules

hired and processed contracts for vendors, venues and talent

supervised all operations and acted as day of event point-of-contact

supported r+d and execution of food and beverage menu’s and curated playlists, booked djs and also performed vinyl and digital music sets

developed, reviewed and managed marketing campaigns and community outreach

facilitated event reconciliation tasks including payouts, invoice tracking, budget updating, and all functions associated with event close out

TIZITA RADIO, AUDIO PROJECT HOST AND PRODUCER — DEC 2021 - CURRENT

booked guests, researched topics, wrote scripts and conducted interviews

organized and scheduled recording sessions

managed and hired sound engineers

edited, mixed and published recorded episodes

wrote show notes and promoted new episodes through social media and email marketing campaigns

WELCOME DESK AGENT, W HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (2016-2017 - 2018-2022)

greeted and registered arriving guests by confirming details of reservation, acquiring m.o.p, accommodating any special requests and providing orientation of hotel

created and modified hotel reservations

completed daily shift and cashier reports

provided exceptional customer service and resolved/communicated customer inquires and concerns to managerial team

YEMECHESH, PROJECT MANAGER, A.A, ETH — MAY 2021 - APRIL 2022

organized logistical planning and execution of an event series centering women

coordinated grant applications, sponsorships application and budget creation

researched and booked venues, hired and trained event staff and volunteers, hired and coordinated contracts for food, beverage and merchandise vendors

coordinated set-up and breakdown of vendor stands and stage productions

curated music programing by hiring artists and dj’s and set schedules

INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS, OPERATIONS MANAGER, SF, CA — NOV 2017 - SEPT 2018

managed retail store operations, provided exceptional customer service and resolved issues on behalf of the company

hired, trained, and supervised a staff of 4-5 people while making schedules, processing payroll, resolving staff issues and providing motivation and feedback

created and executed sales and marketing strategies along with moderating panel discussions for SF Design week, hosting various in-store marketing events, etc..

generated monthly sales reports, submitted inventory purchase orders, handled bank deposits and processed rent and utilities payments

ETHIOPIA SKATE, PROJECT MANAGER, A.A+HAWASSA, ETH - JULY 2015 - DEC 2019

organized logistics for the construction of two community skate parks

coordinated online fundraising campaign and secured local city building permits

University of Pittsburgh - BA Business Adminstration