Violette Uwamutara
Vice President Sub-Saharan Africa and Country Director, DOT Rwanda
Violette has led DOT Rwanda since its inception in 2010. Prior to DOT Rwanda, she spent seven years at the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington DC, beginning as a policy analyst and rising to become a diplomat in the position of First Secretary. Upon completion of her mission, she was posted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kigali, in charge of Asia and Oceania.
Violette is involved in numerous youth and women’s economic empowerment and technology-fueled development initiatives. She is a mentor through the Imbuto Foundation, a member of the Africa Leadership Network, and a recipient of the Change Agent ABIE Award from the Anita Borg Institute. In 2016, Violette was named one of Amazon’s Watch Magazine’s Top 25 Distinguished Women in Business Excellence in Africa for her work to economically empower young girls and women.
Violette holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on International Development from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Comparative Development from Trent University.
Dr. Emmanuel Nzeyimana, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Dr. Emmanuel NZEYIMANA, Ph.D, holds a Doctorate in Philosophy in Development Studies from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is an experienced Program Manager with a demonstrated working history in the non-profit organizations management industry, Experience in Projects/Program Management Monitoring and Evaluation, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), Policy Analysis and Research. Strong background in the design and implementation of development projects/programs with focus on Agricultural, Youth and Women programs.
Dr. Emmanuel has experience in the leadership of Local, Regional (East and Horn of Africa), Global Networks and Organizations as he has served in different Boards of Directors and Global Committees. He joined DOT Rwanda Senior Management Team since 2011 as Program Manager, Country Program Manager and currently he is the Deputy Director.
Judith Kabatesi
Financial Controller
Judith joined DOT Rwanda’s Finance Department in September 2017. Before joining DOT Rwanda, Judith occupied several positions since 2006 after completing high school where she was working with local government to empower young men and women with livelihood skills.
From 2010 to 2017, Judith worked at PAXPRESS as a Chief Accountant. She has gained a lot of experience in working with Non-Government Organizations and multiple donors in her domain of Accounting.
Judith is a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce majoring in Banking and Finance from Mount Kenya University. Now, she is a Certified Professional Accounting (CPA) candidate.
Aimée Angelique Noella Akayezu
Business Development and Learning Manager
Noella’s passion for empowering women and youth isn’t a sideline passion, it’s a driving force. As a Business Development and Learning Manager at DOT Rwanda, she crafts impactful training programs for young entrepreneurs, building bridges to success through e-learning, business coaching, and strategic partnerships. From equipping single mothers with literacy skills at the Guides Association of Rwanda to advocating for youth empowerment on the Mastercard Foundation Youth Think Tank, and Youth Advisory Board, Noella’s influence extends far beyond the classroom.
Her collaboration with diverse volunteering groups as a mentor, business coach and youth advisor support her interest to stay connected and informed about youth challenges and local /regional context. With an MBA in Project management from CSU, a BSc in Mechanical engineering from UR-College of technology, and “doer” mentality, she blends analytical prowess with her knack for building trust and navigating diverse perspectives, leaving a lasting legacy of empowered communities and thriving businesses in her wake.
Fabrice Hafashimana
Learning and Digital Engagement Officer
Fabrice Hafashimana, a tech enthusiast and catalyst for positive change, joined DOT Rwanda in 2021 as a Digital Champion in Rulindo district. Since May 2023, he has served as the Learning and Digital Engagement Officer, showcasing a remarkable commitment to the organization’s mission. Fabrice’s multifaceted role encompasses various responsibilities, including mobilization, recruitment, and capacity-building for Youth Leaders. He provides daily supervision, guidance, and coaching, fostering innovation and business skills among youth leaders.
Additionally, Fabrice plays a pivotal role in managing DOT Rwanda’s IT infrastructure, leading the development and implementation of IT equipment disposal policies. His passion for technology and societal impact extends beyond the workplace; he is not just a tech professional but a dedicated advocate for positive change and digital inclusion.
Alice Mukeshimana
Finance Officer
Alice Mukeshimana is a finance professional with over four years of experience in financial management, tax compliance, and business coaching. Currently working at DOT Rwanda as a Finance Officer, she excels in managing financial operations and has a strong track record in tax declarations and financial audits. Alice is skilled in using Sage Intacct and QuickBooks and is known for her problem-solving abilities and accuracy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is pursuing her CPA certification. Alice is passionate about community empowerment and enjoys reading, sports, and exploring digital innovations.
Josee Uwamaliya Karegeya
Gender Officer
Josee Uwamariya Karegeya is our dedicated Gender Officer at DOT Rwanda, where she has been working since 2014. She started as a Community Leader, using her Literature degree to inspire and empower the people she worked with. She has also led various projects on entrepreneurship, employment readiness, and digital literacy, with a focus on digital empowerment.
As a gender officer, Josee participates in workshops and campaigns to promote gender inclusivity and equity in society. She also volunteers for community development causes, showing her commitment to positive change. In November 2022, she became the Gender Lead and successfully implemented DOT Rwanda’s gender policy. She also facilitated a Community of Practice for gender practitioners. Josee is a valuable member of our team and the DOT Rwanda family, with her passion and expertise in gender equality and community development.
Alain Ibarushamaboko
Senior Program Officer and Business Coach
Alain Ibarushamaboko is a dedicated Rwandan professional with a strong commitment to learning and a solid 7-year track record in empowering youth and women. His areas of expertise include business development services, digital literacy, and project management. For the past 4 years, Alain has worked as a Senior Project Officer and Business Coach at DOT Rwanda, where he has been involved in empowering over 3,000 young and women entrepreneurs through programs such as the Start-Up Program and the Digital Ambassadors Program.
In addition to his role at DOT Rwanda, Alain has also served as the Project Manager for important initiatives, including the Youth Empowerment in 10 Youth-Friendly Centers and the Youth-Led & Host Communities COVID-19 Response and Resilience Initiatives. These initiatives have provided support to over 5,000 young entrepreneurs, including refugees, by offering digital literacy, business development services, and access to seed funding.
Furthermore, Alain contributes to the Global Youth Leadership Advisory Board at DOT, where he helps design projects that take into account the perspectives of young people. Alain values integrity, honesty, professionalism, accountability, work ethics, lifelong learning, adaptability, and responsibility. Currently, he is expanding his expertise in business, project management, data protection, and privacy to further enhance his career and impact.
Emmanuel Ndikumana
Program Officer
Emmanuel is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in community engagement, education, digital inclusion, climate advocacy, and environmental sustainability.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology-Chemistry with Education, he began his impactful journey at Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Rwanda in 2021. Starting as a Digital Champion for Nyagatare District, Emmanuel delivered digital skills training through the Daring to Shift project, significantly influencing local businesses. Since 2022, promoted to Field Support Officer, he coordinates digital skills training across multiple districts, manages stakeholder engagement, oversees data collection, and reporting, and addresses concerns to ensure effective collaboration. He has also led a team of 54 Digital Champions and played a key role in coaching young entrepreneurs.
In addition, Emmanuel has mentored over 20 young social innovators and entrepreneurs in refugee camps and host communities, providing training on design thinking and lean start-up principles. His leadership in organizing business competitions and conferences has focused on economic inclusion and entrepreneurship. Before his current role, Emmanuel excelled as a Chemistry Teacher in Nyagatare District, where he successfully instructed over 100 high school graduates, achieving a 100% pass rate in state exams. His diverse background underscores his commitment to advancing sustainable development and digital inclusion across Africa.
Landry Sabana
Program Officer
Landry Sabana is a highly motivated and results-oriented professional with a proven track record in youth empowerment, digital skills training, and communications. He brings a unique blend of academic expertise in Business and Information Technology and extensive practical experience gained from working with leading local and international organizations.
Driven by a deep passion for making a positive impact on his community, Landry is committed to driving sustainable change through initiatives that empower young people to thrive in the digital economy. He is particularly drawn to work that aligns with DOT Rwanda’s mission of fostering digital inclusion for leadership, economic empowerment, and social good.
Landry’s journey with DOT Rwanda began as a Digital Champion and Business Coach, where he provided impactful training and support to aspiring young entrepreneurs. His ability to connect with youth, understand their aspirations, and guide them on their entrepreneurial journeys has led to the success of many young entrepreneurs.
Currently, Landry serves as a Program Officer at DOT Rwanda, playing a vital role in mentoring young people enrolled in the Youth Leadership Program. He provides guidance, support, and inspiration, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and networks needed to become effective leaders and agents of change in their communities.
Landry’s dedication, positive energy, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people make him an invaluable asset to DOT Rwanda and a true champion for youth empowerment in the digital age.
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