Natnael Tilahun

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT NATNAEL TILAHUN

I am a Business Administration student at the University of Mary Washington with a concentration in marketing, a strong academic track record, and a deep rooted passion for business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. My journey began in Ethiopia, where I attended Lycée Guebre Mariam as a French Baccalaureate preparatory student (Grade 12 +1), maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout high school. I am fluent in Amharic, English, and French, and have always valued the power of communication and cultural connection.Leadership has been a defining part of my story. I was a three-time Class President and served as President of the Graduation Committee, leading my peers to raise nearly 2 million ETB USD) to organize and fund our graduation ceremony an experience that taught me how to lead teams, solve problems, and manage resources under real pressure.Inspired by my father, a successful businessman in Ethiopia, I developed an early passion for business. I watched him closely his meetings, phone calls, and the way he handled people and challenges. Those observations stuck with me. At 17, with no formal training but a lifetime of lessons absorbed from him, I founded Addis Entertainment, an event-organizing company in Addis Ababa. With a small investment from my father, I managed to organize multiple large-scale events across the city, gaining hands-on experience in business planning, operations, and marketing. That venture wasn’t just profitable it was transformational. It sparked my entrepreneurial mindset and strengthened my desire to build something of my own.When I moved to the United States to pursue my education, I made the decision to pause the business to focus on growth and learning. I’ve since completed my second year of college, earned Dean’s List honors for four consecutive semesters, and actively participate in campus life through the African Student Union (ASU), Black Student Union (BSU), Club Soccer, and the Entrepreneurship Club (Sigma Nu Tau).What I started at 17 was just the beginning. Now, equipped with academic knowledge, global exposure, and a strong foundation in leadership, I’m preparing for something even greater. My goal is not just to match my father’s legacy but to expand it, evolve it, and carry it forward. I am driven, curious, and ready to take on opportunities that challenge me to lead, create, and grow.