Advisory Council
There is nothing more effective than grassroots leadership and people problem-solving in their own communities. Rungano-Ndota is an amazing example of that and I am proud to be involved.
Nishith Acharya, CEO of Equal Innovation Consulting;
Former Executive Director of the Deshpande Foundation
I'm thrilled to support RYP/RNI work to cultivate dreams and entrepreneurial aspirations of youth through caring mentorship and training. RYP/RNI "walks the walk" with a proven method resulting in life-changing results. RYP/RNI is where a deep commitment to make the world a more just place for youth isn't just a wishful thought but the daily work of committed Staff. I'm honored to support their efforts.
Darnell Adams
Leadership Coach, Firebrand Cooperative
I've had the honour of implementing youth leadership and entrepreneurship projects in 30 countries, and what makes RYP/RNI stand head and shoulders above the rest is the impact. Their work has resulted in real change and made a real difference to their community. The strong spirit of community and connectedness that the Rwandan youth bring to each other is powerful. The world has much to learn from this group of youth about leadership, humanity and social change. I'm grateful to be a part of their journey and to support them to excel as change agents
Afshan Baksh
Managing Director, Evolve Global Solutions
RYP will become a model for entrepreneurship in all corners of this world. But It will not be a model for destructive capitalism. It is a model for business that heals, empowers, and sustains communities.
Alejandro Amezcua,
Professor of Entrepreneurship, IESEG, Paris, France
Rungano-Ndota reminds us of the power that young people have to forge new narratives of possibility. The young men and women not only embody the long journey of national healing, but they are also propeling the country forward through their collective leadership and imagination. This is a long term bet on them and the future of Rwanda.
Juan G. Fernandez,
Education Philanthropic Advisor
I love seeing young people stretch to fulfill their potential. I’m really inspired to see that stretch in these young people who came through genocide. Great to see them turn their struggle into building businesses and other positive purposes. We’ve got to support that kind of leadership.
Jeff Leerink
CEO of SVB Securities
Visiting Rungano-Ndota changed my life and gave me a new hope for what is possible. It also confirmed we have a long journey ahead. I was truly blown away by the young leaders of Rungano-Ndota, their humility and strength and commitment to the principles of economic resiliency for themselves and their immediate community.
Glynn Lloyd, Executive Director, Mill Cities Community Investments and Foundation for Business Equity
Having been involved in a variety of youth leadership movements in the greater Boston area over the past thirty years, I have seen how youth empowerment has led to change in concrete and lasting ways. With all that has gone on in Rwanda, and the atrocities of genocide, I want to help support and empower young people in the country to develop and lead the way forward.
Susan Musinsky,
Executive Director of the Social Innovation Forum
Africa’s great asset and future is her growing population, especially youth and their potential. Thise potential needs to be developed, harnessed and deployed as a resource for development. For this goal, Rungano-Ndota and the RYP providing leadership and entrepreneurial opportunities to Rwandan youth is critical in developing the next generation of leaders for Africa’s development.
Emmanuel Owusu
Executive Director of the African Bridge Network
Rungano-Ndota has been a game changer for channeling the entrepreneurial spirit of youth of Rwanda. Having visited and met with some of the leadership of the Initiative, I am convinced Rungano-Ndota is a perfect model for nurturing the youth of Rwanda to become socially conscious leaders and entrepreneurs of the country. At the pace the organization is growing and impacting the lives of youth, it may very well be a regional model.
Prataap Patrose
Senior Advisor for Long Term Planning
Boston Planning and Development Agency
I grew up in a rural village in the Azores, small islands in the Atlantic. For a while, I also lived in Angola. Those formative years made me aware of the impact of colonialism and the challenges young people face around the world. Add the experience of genocide, and the challenges become quite extreme. I am impressed with how the youth of Rungano-Ndota are building opportunities for themselves and each other. Their initiative and determination are just what we need in the world these days!
Luis Pedroso
CEO of Accutronics
I am interested in learning from the youth culture in Rungano-Ndota as they teach all human beings about the strong human spirit they possess which enabled them to persevere through such horror and adversity. I am interested in what they can teach us about creating a new and better society from the ashes of the old and broken one, and about what societal innovations they create which we can apply here
in the U.S.A.