Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is the Chairperson of Imbuto Foundation, an organisation born of an earlier project for the Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS.

Imbuto Foundation contributes to generational improvements in health, education, youth, and economic empowerment in Rwanda.

Mrs Kagame is also the Chairperson of Unity Club, an organization founded in 1996 after the Genocide against the Tutsi. It comprises current and former members of Government and their spouses, to promote social cohesion and sustainable development in Rwanda.

Mrs Kagame is a founding member of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS and for Development (OAFLAD), serving as its President from 2004 -2006.

Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, who holds a Business and Management Science degree, is a Paul Harris Fellow, an honorary member of the Kigali-Virunga Rotary Club, Patron of the SOS Children’s Home and co-founder of Green Hills Academy, a top Rwandan school.

The First Lady personifies an active, passionate devotion to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable, particularly widows, orphans of the genocide against the Tutsi and underprivileged families.

She is a staunch advocate for Girls’ Education, and HPV vaccination in the fight against cervical cancer.

Diana Louise Ofwona is the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Local Government (MINALOC) in the Government of Rwanda. Prior to this appointment, she served the United Nations as Resident Representative of UNDP in Niger from April 2019 to June 2022, where she was awarded, at the end of her mission, the prestigious medal of honour, “Commandant de l’ordre National du Niger” by H.E the President of the Republic of Niger in recognition of her distinguished service to the country.

Her cumulative experience in the field of leadership and socio-economic development spans 35 years in Government, the United Nations, academia, the Private sector and civil society in three continents: Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean. She speaks a total of six languages and works proficiently in English and French.

Diana is a Founding member of PACFA and Imbuto Foundation and has also served on other Boards and committees, including the UN high-level Strategy and Management Review Panel, the North-South Institute Board in Canada, the UN Standing Committee on Security Issues in Central Africa, the MTN Foundation, Board of Trustees of the Makerere University’s Female Scholarship Foundation and the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).

She is also a member of the Lions Club International, the Kigali Golf Club and an alumna of the International Association of Students of Economics and Business (AIESEC).

Ms. Diana Ofwona holds a Master of Arts degree in Languages from the University of Nairobi.

Ms Rose Rwabuhihi is the Head of the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), a Government institution mandated to ensure accountability for the respect of principle of Gender Equality at all levels in Rwanda, and service delivery to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) victims.

Over the last 5 years, the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) has established itself as the hub of reference for Gender Equality and GBV service delivery in Rwanda. This has been achieved through its efforts and successes in ensuring accountability for Gender Equality in all sectors, and establishing a strong foundation for measuring progress and information sharing.

Before joining the Gender Monitoring Office, Ms Rwabuhihi worked with the United Nations for over 15 years, across Africa and in the United States of America. Her goal is to promote an integrated approach to Women’s Rights in Development, with a specific focus on governance, peace and security, as well as innovative strategies to eliminate violence against women in Africa.

Ms Radegonde Ndejuru now in her retirement, has served as the Senior Advisor to the First Lady of Rwanda since 2015. Prior to this, from 2006 to 2015, she served as the Director General in the Office of the First Lady of Rwanda, H.E Mrs Jeannette Kagame in charge of affiliate organizations: Imbuto Foundation and OAFLAD.

With over 30 years experience in Project Management, Ms Ndejuru has been working with less advantaged people in Rwanda, Canada, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast -
assessing and analysing the various challenges faced by these communities, in order to identify root causes and potential solutions. She believes that Community Based Organizations (CBOs) can go a long way in improving the wellbeing of the populations they serve.

Ms Ndejuru holds a Nursing Baccalaureate from the University of Rwanda and a Masters in Community Health from the University of Montreal in Canada. She is also a trained psychotherapist.

Ms Cécile Murumunawabo is a Member of the Parliament of Rwanda in the Chamber of Deputies. She is among the Founding Members of Imbuto Foundation and currently serves as an Advisor on its Board. Prior to that, she served as the Deputy Director General at the Office of the First Lady .

Born a refugee, she dedicated her youth, along with her age-mate, to the Rwanda Patriotic Front and the struggle for justice and the right to return to the homeland.

As a parliamentarian, she has been a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC); ensuring accountability and effective use of resources towards Rwanda’s economic transformation. At Imbuto Foundation, she was part of the team in charge of setting the strategic direction that drove the Foundation’s vision.

Ms Murumunawabo holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies and values teamwork, integrity and a hard working spirit. Cécile is a born again Christian.

Ms Henriette Umulisa is currently the Partnership Manager at VVOB-Education for Development; a Belgian Non-Government Organization. Prior to that, she served in different government positions including Secretary General in the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Senator in the Rwanda Senate and Secretary General for the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (RWPF).

As a strong Pan Africanist, she is currently the Vice-Chairperson of the Pan African Movement - Rwanda chapter. She is a passionate advocate for gender promotion and women empowerment and has contributed to Rwanda being among the world champions in gender equality.

Ms Umulisa holds two Masters’ Degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation from the University of Rwanda, and a Commercial Engineering and International Business forum from the Catholic Institute of Advanced Commercial Studies (ICHEC) in Brussels.

Ms. Shaduri Umutoniwase Rumongi is the Communications Manager at Rwanda Finance Limited, which is the agency mandated to develop and promote the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC). The KIFC seeks to position Rwanda as a preferred financial jurisdiction for investments into Africa.

She has 12 years’ experience in the areas of communications and events management. Prior to becoming a board member, Shaduri worked for the Office of the First Lady as part of the Communications and Protocol team.

She holds degrees in business administration and communications management and is a member of the Public Relations and Communications Association.

Shaduri draws her energy and motivation from communicating about Rwanda’s exciting and inspiring journey.