Employee Spotlight Abebe Kebede

Abebe Kebede

Account Director, Public Affairs

WORK

When did you start working at Powell Tate?

It seems like forever ago — January 2021.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?

Bring your whole self into your work. Each of us has a different experience and viewpoint and by combining those together, we can truly create an amazing work product.

What’s the coolest (or weirdest) place a project has taken you?

Newport News, Virginia. Got to direct two four-hour virtual live shows and get my first COVID-19 vaccine all within 24 hours. A great day professionally and personally.

What’s the best thing you’ve seen happen inside Powell Tate office?

Ms. Janet (our front desk lady) always has a smile every time I see her.

If you weren’t working in this industry, what would you want to do?

Right now I’d either open a breakfast taco truck or become a florist — both have levels of stress but also calm in the work.

“Having the opportunity to work with cross functional teams around the world, delivering real and impactful results for clients is such a worthwhile experience.”

             

Abebe Kebede

LIFE

What’s something surprising people might not know about you?

My favorite karaoke song is “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. Jury is still out if I can hit the notes.

What’s your favorite way to unwind in your free time?

Catch a concert, cook a meal for friends, go out to a good meal or grab a drink at Garden District on 14th street.

Where would you love to travel in the world to gain inspiration?

I’d probably travel throughout Ethiopia to reconnect with my family and ancestral home.

What’s your favorite thing about your hometown?

When I say I’m from Alexandria, people are like “oh Old Town?” or “Oh like TC Williams from Remember the Titans” and I then go on a 10-minute diatribe of how Alexandria is split between the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County and how my HS was fully integrated and actually beat TC in that game!

Who is someone that inspires you right now?

Beyoncé – I haven’t turned off Renaissance since it came out and would like to know how to replicate that type of resonance with our client campaigns (who am I kidding that’s not possible.)

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