Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network
Rwanda
The Alumni Network is the culmination of our vision to mobilize the alumni from our programs — which include the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, the Youth Think Tank (YTT), the Scholars Program, the Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward — to be a force for change.
To learn more about the Alumni Network, click here to complete the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Interest form.
To learn more about the Rwanda Alumni Network email: mcfrwandaalumninetwork@gmail.com.
Meet the Leadership Committee
Benita Laurianne Tegura Benita Laurianne Tegura
Benita Laurianne Tegura is an alumna of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at AshesiUniversity, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She further pursued her education and holds an MBA degree from Kigali Independent University (ULK).
Currently, Benita serves as a Human Resources Officer at the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC-Rwanda). She is driven by a passion for positively impacting people’s lives.
During her time in Ghana, Benita actively engaged with the Chorkor community. She taught school subjects to children and initiated a project aimed at empowering women in the community. Additionally, she worked as an Educator at the Global Scholars Program (GSP) in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she guided young individuals in exploring their passions and purposes. The program encompassed learning about Africa through the lens of South Africa’s history, cultural expression, youth-led entrepreneurship, service learning, wildlife conservation, and the dynamics of urban life.
Delphine Murekatete Delphine Murekatete
Delphine Murekatete is a highly motivated data science professional with a Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), where she was a Mastercard Foundation Scholar.
Delphine is recognized for her self-motivation, resilience, and eagerness to learn. Her passion lies in statistics, data analytics, data management, and machine learning, with a particular interest in addressing African social development issues, especially related to climate change.
Respecting others, giving back, and making a positive impact are core values for Delphine, as she believes they are crucial for community progress and development. Her aspirations include advancing to a leadership position in data science, mentoring and coaching other data scientists, and fostering a strong and vibrant data science community.
Elisabeth Uwamahoro Elisabeth Uwamahoro
Elisabeth Uwamahoro is a passionate leader and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Fabeth, a pioneering piggery project that focuses on sustainable agriculture, implementing innovative practices for efficiency and profitability. Elisabeth is also the visionary behind Smart Ikigega, a digital platform empowering farmers through inclusive farming practices and technology.
As a member of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network Committee Rwanda chapter, Elisabeth actively contributes to entrepreneurship and leadership development, collaborating with industry leaders to drive positive change. She has been recognized for exceptional leadership and holds a strong belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
Elisabeth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food Sciences and Technology from the University of Rwanda. Outside of her professional pursuits, she engages in outdoor exploration and community service, supporting education and economic empowerment initiatives.
Driven by a passion for innovation, leadership, and social impact, Elisabeth is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the agricultural sector and empowering farmers and youth worldwide.
Damilola Damilola
Damilola is a seasoned social entrepreneur with ten years of experience in the education and development sectors. His mission is to empower youths and professionals by helping them transform their education, talents, and skills into practical solutions, such as jobs and enterprises, to overcome development barriers. He is a three-time TEDx speaker, sharing his insights and expertise.
As the Chief Catalyst at Prikkle Academy, a for-impact organization in Nigeria and Rwanda, Damilola utilizes open-source and personalized education approaches to translate ideas, uniqueness, and knowledge into actionable outcomes. In 2017, he pioneered a groundbreaking “school without teachers” initiative in Nigeria, promoting innovation and collaborative learning. Additionally, Damilola serves as the 2023 Local President at JCI Mille Collines in Rwanda, further demonstrating his commitment to community engagement and leadership.
Passionate about co-creating innovative solutions, Damilola thrives on embracing “chaos” to drive positive change. His work exemplifies a strong dedication to fostering education, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
Lucie Uwimpaye Lucie Uwimpaye
Lucie Uwimpaye is an accomplished IT professional serving as an IT Business Analyst at the Business Development Fund (BDF). With a master’s degree in Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University and as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum, Lucie is dedicated to leveraging technology to make a positive impact in her community.
Lucie’s passion lies in empowering women and young people while promoting a sense of self-worth. She actively mentors young individuals and volunteers in various programs aimed at building better communities. Lucie’s commitment to community development is evident through her involvement in leadership committees and advocacy initiatives.
Combining her technical expertise with a drive for social change, Lucie strives to create opportunities and inspire others through the power of technology and empowerment.
Papi Sibomana Papi Sibomana
Papi Sibomana is a passionate Rwandan young leader with a keen interest in digital inclusion, disability advocacy, and entrepreneurship. He is dedicated to facilitating access to barrier-free education and empowering youth with disabilities to secure meaningful employment. Papi actively engages with his community, mobilizing and inspiring youth with disabilities to become leaders in their respective communities.
Papi holds a Master of Science in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Currently, he serves as an assistant lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Integrated Polytechnics Rwanda College in Musanze, North Province. Through his academic and teaching roles, Papi continues to drive innovation, empower young minds, and promote entrepreneurial spirit among students.
Shakila Umutoni Shakila Umutoni
Shakila Umutoni is a versatile professional with a wealth of experience in education, project management, and capacity building. With expertise in team organization, instructional design, and project management, she is dedicated to working with and supporting young people to unlock their full potential.
Rwanda - Past Alumni
Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network
The Alumni Network is the culmination of our vision to mobilize the alumni from our programs — which include the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, the Youth Think Tank (YTT), the Scholars Program, the Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward — to be a force for change.
Meet the Leadership Committee
Ariane Umuringa Ariane Umuringa
Ariane Umuringa is a graduate of Fab Academy a digital fabrication hands-on experience at the Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She has served as the country ambassador for Youth Opportunities in 2018 and has led leadership development programs for youth.
She is a computer scientist, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Starlight, a social innovation that makes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) products and conducts workshops to inspire and spark curiosity, innovation and creativity in young students across Rwanda. Her passions include creating social innovative solutions that tackle climate change issues, affordable access to clean energy and women’s issues.
Benjamin Gisa Mushayija Benjamin Gisa Mushayija
Benjamin Gisa Mushayija is an African Leadership University (ALU) student, pursuing Global Challenge. 
Benjamin works as a Program Manager at Acts of Gratitude (AOG), a Rwanda-based social enterprise that tackles youth unemployment and contribute to achieving other SDGs by solving key social challenges in local communities.
He is an alum of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), an Anzisha Fellow, and the lead of African Leadership University Sustainable Development Hub.
Benjamin is the co-founder of Kaso, a manufacturing company that manufactures and packages natural organic products both for consumption (e.g. honey, tea, oils, baking soda) and for cosmetic purposes (e.g. lotions, bee wax, coconut soap).
He is a passionate about and practices business development and youth empowerment.
Francine Nishimwe Francine Nishimwe
Francine Nishimwe holds an Advanced Diploma in Land Survey from the University of Applied Sciences INES-Ruhengeri, Rwanda. She is also a Participant Engagement Chair for the YALI Rwanda Chapter.
She previously worked with Gahunga TVET School, Rwanda as an Electrical Trainer and Technical Trainer. She then worked with the East Africa Research and Data Analysis Institute, a marketing & Social Research company, as a Marketing Research Executive.
She has strong communications and teamwork skills and is passionate about bringing socio-economic change to his community.
Francine is enthused about the opportunity to contribute as a member of the Alumni Committee network.
Jean-Paul Rwigema Jean-Paul Rwigema
Jean-Paul Rwigema an alum of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) program holds a bachelor’s in applied statistics from the University of Rwanda and is currently completing his master’s in business administration specialised in Artificial Intelligence at Nexford University, Washington DC.
Jean-Paul works with the African Leadership University as a Financial Aid Associate where he reviews and select financial aid applications and provides post admission and university support to selected Mastercard Foundation Scholars
He is currently working with Ida technology to improve the digital skills of young girls in the GirlsInCode program. Over the past two years, 35 girls have gone through Ida Technology’s eight months intensive coding program and graduated into various jobs.
In 2020, Jean-Paul won a micro-grant for social change from the Pollution Project and a COVID-19 relief grant by the Government of Rwanda under the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture.
Olive Uwimana Olive Uwimana
Olive Uwimana is a Youth Think Tank alum and holds a master’s degree in data science with specialization in econometrics from the African Centre of Excellence in Data Science and a bachelor’s degree in management with concentration in logistics and operations from Southern New Hampshire University.
Olive recently joined African Leadership University (ALU) as an Academic Assistant for the School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC). Prior to that, she was a Program Associate at African Union under Social Affairs Department in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is a passionate about women empowerment and youth mainstreaming.
Sandrine Tuyisenge Sandrine Tuyisenge
Sandrine Tuyisenge is an alum of the Hanga Ahazaza program and holds a diploma in hospitality management from the Akilah Institute. Post-graduation, Sandrine joined Davis College and Akilah Institute team where she works as the student affairs officer. In her role, she provides guidance to student leaders and empower them to create positive student experiences.
Sandra previously worked at the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa as a Program Management Intern and facilitated the US Embassy Rwanda led Everybody Reads program which aimed to promote a reading culture in Rwanda.
She has strong customer care, communications, planning, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, and values diversity.
In the future, Sandrine hopes to continue her studies and start a career in project management.
Sheila Mbadi Sheila Mbadi
Sheila Mbadi holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a master’s degree in information technology from the Carnegie Mellon University –Africa (CMU-Africa).
Professionally she is a Software Engineer and an Applied Machine Learning Specialist. She also has experience in academia as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at CMU – Africa and as a Research Assistant at the Kigali Collaborative Research Centre.
She delights in forming communities and ensuring they succeed. At heart, she is a Pan-Africanist who is always looking for opportunities to connect with fellow Africans for the betterment of the continent.