Marine Umukunzi, Chairperson

Marine Umukunzi has worked for Agriterra in Rwanda since 2016. She currently serves as a Senior Cooperative Advisor. Her main responsibility involves working with farmer organizations as an advisor for better governance, management, and business growth.  She also serves as a project manager for two maize initiatives supporting 28 cooperatives to access a better market for their maize thus increasing income for around 15,000 smallholder farmers. Previously, Marine worked in different fields that gave her the opportunity to develop her advisory, communication, group facilitation skills and digital skills in working with women and youth.

Marine holds a master’s degree in business law with attached professional trainer certificates throughout her career in areas related to business management, governance among others. 

Frank Mugisha, Vice Chairperson

Frank is an experienced tourism development strategist, with expertise in establishing and enhancing effective public-private partnerships for a private sector-driven tourism promotion agenda engaging value-chain players for successful tourism business development business; under thematic focus of destination marketing, tourism product development mainly focusing on Leisure, Community-based, and MICE tourism segments.

With his dedication to inclusion in business to drive sustainable development, Frank has previously served in capacities upholding proactive advocacy for women and youth economic empowerment, notably focusing on factors that promote social determinants of health, to address critical development issues at community, national and regional levels in Rwanda and beyond. Currently Frank leads regional business mandate of promoting East Africa as one single tourism destination establishing and boosting key synergies for business growth.

Amina Umuhoza, Secretary

Amina Umuhoza is the CEO of DUKATAZE SAYE Company – a social enterprise that designs creative tools to promote comprehensive non stigmatized sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents. Together with My Period is Awesome, SAYE has opened the Kigali Menstruation Station – a safe space for adolescents to learn more about sexual and reproductive health without stigma. To ensure economic empowerment, Amina owns SAYE HOME DECOR SHOP that locally produces locally made environmentally friendly decorative items produced by teen mothers to ensure economic independence.

Amina has received numerous awards and international recognition for her pioneering work. She participated the 2023 Global Engagement Summit for social entrepreneurs that took place in Chicago USA at Northwestern University and was named one of the ten outstanding alumni of all US University Exchange Programs for 2022-2023. Amina has also been selected to become a Mastercard Foundation Youth Advisory Board Member for 2022-2024.

Denyse Umuhoza, Chairperson

Denyse is a Junior Professional Associate (JPA) at the World Bank Rwanda Country Office. Previously, she was a consultant on Kina Rwanda, a LEGO Foundation project implemented by Purpose PBC to promote learning through play. In her recent full-time role, she worked as Associate Manager, Partnerships and Communications at Girl Effect, an international NGO that empowers girls during the critical time of adolescence. She kickstarted her career as a multimedia journalist, creating radio, print magazine, and digital content for Ni Nyampinga, Rwanda’s first youth brand. She has spoken at the 2018 Gender Summit, published two children’s books, co-founded the first community library in her hometown, and interned at PriorChoice, an Artificial Intelligence start-up in Beijing.

Denyse holds a Master’s Degree in Management Science in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University, Schwarzman College.

Sandra Umutoniwase, Vice Chairperson

Sandra Umutoniwase has been a dedicated Youth Advocate for the AIDS clinic WE ACTx for HOPE, since 2018. She ensures access to education, care, and support while leading support groups and coordinating engaging summer camps. Sandra's unwavering commitment and passion make her a vital force for positive change in the community.

Merveille Mutamuliza, Secretary

Merveille is currently a freelancer who excels at helping vulnerable members of the community rediscover their self-worth. Merveille has organized mass campaigns and content creation that stimulates participants’ and beneficiaries’ conscience and helps them turn their lives around.

Merveille also helps oversee the adaptation of dispatched volunteers and other foreigners working in Rwanda to local living conditions, by equipping them with communication skills tailored to their daily working environment.

Merveille worked as a Program Manager for Hands of Mothers Rwanda from 2017 – 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from National University of Rwanda and various certifications.

Monia Gisage, Chairperson

Bio coming soon…

Laetitia Umulisa, Vice Chairperson

Bio coming soon

Chantal Benekigeri, Secretary

Chantal is the Director of Clinical Systems for WE-ACTX FOR HOPE, a clinic which provides medical and psychosocial services to women and families living with HIV/AIDS, Chantal has thirty-three years of experience in the management of public hospitals, private health clinics and of patients living with HIV/AIDS.

Chantal is known for her attention to detail and dedication to getting work done. She values the importance of patient-centered care and enjoys working with her team to ensure that patients are getting the possible best care.