Belaynesh Zevadia was born in Gondar, Ethiopia, in 1967. Her family immigrated to Israel when she was 17 years old. She graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a bachelor degree in International relations and Africa Studies and a Master’s degree in Anthropology.

In 1993 Zevadia began her diplomatic career at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cadet Course and served in various positions around the world until she was appointed in 2012 to serve as Israel's Ambassador in Ethiopia - the first Israeli woman of Ethiopian origin to achieve the title of ambassador. "I left Ethiopia as a girl and now I am returning as ambassador."