Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) has named former cabinet minister Stella Ford Mugabo as its first female Chairperson of the Board of Directors in the organisation’s existence of 21 years of existence.

Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development is a policy and research advocacy civil society organisation that has been in existence since 1997. It focuses mainly on addressing land related issues.

Mugabo joins this organisation with a wide range of experience, from both government and international perspective.

She replaces Prof. Silas Lwakabamba.

Mugabo holds a Master of Arts in Economic and Social Studies majoring in Development Administration and Management from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Mugabo has vast experience in leadership development, project management, public policy analysis and research with a focus on change management.

"She has a rich combination of public and private sector expertise and as our country continues to promote the vision of partnerships, we are looking at what she can contribute. We think all this will strengthen our contribution to the national agenda,” Kairaba told Business Times.

Mugabo has previously worked as an institutional development consultant with development partners including the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Belgian Development Agency (BTC).

She has also consulted for the African Development Bank, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).

The new chairperson normally has a five-year term which can be renewed.

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