Experts

Our Experts

IFSS has many experts working to fulfil its goals. Here are some of our experts.

Brigitte Blais B. STS, DGE-GES, ISSP-SEA

Brigitte Blais B. STS, DGE-GES, ISSP-SEA

Expert

Après une trentaine d’années en communications environnementales, en analyses de dossiers devant la Régie de l’énergie et avec ses diplômes de 2e cycle en Gestion durable du carbone et Gestion de l'environnement, Brigitte utilise toutes ses compétences et son expérience au profit des organisations afin d'accélérer le passage à l’action climatique.

Joseph Nzomoi

Joseph Nzomoi

Expert

Dr Joseph Nzomoi possède une riche expérience couvrant plus de 20 ans d'expérience dans l'environnement politique agricole et économique local et international, la promotion et la facilitation du commerce international/des exportations, le développement agricole, la planification, la gestion et la mise en œuvre de projets, le renforcement des capacités, la sécurité alimentaire et la pauvreté. Stratégies de réduction, financement et commercialisation agricoles, conseil politique ainsi que enseignement et recherche universitaires. Au fil des années, le Dr Nzomoi a occupé divers postes, notamment celui d'économiste principal, de directeur de recherche, de directeur (analyse et planification), de conseiller en transactions commerciales, de spécialiste principal des politiques et du développement institutionnel, de maître de conférences, de conseiller technique principal et de conseiller en exportations et en commerce au Kenya, Ouganda et Rwanda. Joseph a également mis en œuvre des projets en Tanzanie et au Burundi. En octobre 2023, le Dr Nzomoi a été nommé par l'Assemblée générale de l'Organisation mondiale du tourisme (OMT) des Nations Unies en tant que membre à part entière du Comité mondial d'éthique du tourisme (WCTE).

Tekalign Gutu Sakketa

Tekalign Gutu Sakketa

Expert

Tekalign Gutu Sakketa est chercheur postdoctoral au Centre de recherche sur le développement (ZEF) de l'Université de Bonn en Allemagne. Il est diplômé de l'Université de Bonn et a obtenu un doctorat en économie du développement le 20 décembre 2017. Sa thèse de doctorat porte sur la jeunesse, avec un accent particulier sur les comparaisons sociales, le bien-être et les préférences en matière d'emploi. Actuellement, ses recherches portent, entre autres, sur les programmes de protection sociale dans les pays en développement, le commerce, les systèmes alimentaires et l'impact des conflits sur les marchés du travail. Il est titulaire de deux M. Sc. diplômes en économie agricole de l'Université Haramaya, Éthiopie et maîtrise avancée en sciences en Globalisation et Développement de l'Université d'Anvers. Avant de poursuivre un programme de doctorat à l'Université de Bonn, il était chercheur à l'Institut international de recherche sur les politiques alimentaires. Il a publié un certain nombre d'articles évalués par des pairs, de documents de discussion et de documents de travail qui sont présentés lors d'ateliers et de conférences nationaux et internationaux ainsi que dans différents médias. Il a reçu différents prix et bourses pour ses recherches et ses performances académiques.

Bibhash Das

Bibhash Das

Expert

Bibhash Das is a Toronto-based sustainable energy professional with over a decade of global experience advancing low-carbon solutions across wind, solar, and building-efficiency sectors. He combines engineering expertise with data-driven insight, holding an MBA from Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada an M.Sc. in Wind Power Project Management from Uppsala University, Sweden and a B.Tech. in Computer Engineering from MNIT Jaipur, India.

His international career spans project execution, technical due diligence, and strategy development across three continents. Bibhash has worked on solar thermal systems for industrial steam generation, renewable energy policy and efficiency programs in India, owner’s engineering for wind projects in Europe, and business development for sustainability and platform startups. He has helped secure government incentives, developed statistical models to refine performance-risk evaluations, and applied AI insights to enhance operations and lead generation.

Proficient in traditional and agile project management, Bibhash integrates advanced analytics and AI into his sustainability work. As a mentor and advocate for cross-sector collaboration, His current work focuses on supporting NGOs, privates and public institutions scale Innovative technology-driven sustainability solutions.

Olivier Furaha

Olivier Furaha

Expert

Olivier FURAHA consolidates a wealth of experience in agricultural and rural economic development in Rwanda. Olivier has served in various capacities in the past 15 years in projects management, planning, agri-business as well in an advisory capacity in both public development and private sector.

Olivier has extensive experience in integrated rural development at the grassroots local community level including: Studies with participatory approach such as the Community Development Plan; the strategy to improve local business enabling environment based on a survey amongst micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives.

Olivier draws his experience from the public and private sectors as well as international development agencies including the World Bank where he was the Project Coordinator two times in two different ministries (Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Public Service and Labour). He too served as In-charge of Projects in Bugesera District.

Olivier has had training in Rural Economy at undergraduate level and International Agriculture at post graduate level.

Divine Mugisha

Divine Mugisha

Expert

Divine Mugisha is a thoughtful and committed leader with hands-on experience in administration, project coordination, and organizational management in the non-profit world. Over the years, she has worn many hats  from supporting strategic planning to ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly  always with a deep commitment to community development and making a meaningful impact. She has played a key role in turning ideas into action,  building solid internal systems, helping teams stay connected, and ensuring that the small but important details are never overlooked.

Her work also extends to advancing gender equality and youth-focused innovation, where she actively promotes initiatives that empower young people especially young women to unlock their potential, embrace creativity, and lead solutions for their communities. She believes the future of inclusive development lies in equipping youth with the tools, confidence, and innovative mindset to challenge barriers and design sustainable change.

Divine draws on her experience from both grassroots organizations and international NGOs, where she has developed a deep understanding of operational structures and the importance of aligning mission, people, and process. Her bilingual fluency (French and English), attention to detail, and human-centered approach make her a reliable and trusted presence in any leadership team.

She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management, with a thesis focused on project implementation in non-governmental organizations.

Leonard Nkunzimana

Leonard Nkunzimana

Chief Executive Officer

Leonard Nkunzimana is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at IFSS Inc, since January 2022.

He has more than 15 years of experience in international cooperation and development.

In the past, Mr. Nkunzimana worked for various organisations, including University of Burundi, public and private organizations as researcher and expert in programs management and evaluation.

Most recently (2018-2019), Mr Nkunzimana held the position of Trade and Market Research Advisor; an International co-operation program of  Uniterra / World University Services of Canada(WUSC)  in partnership with African Institute for Corporate Citizenship(AICC).

Throughout his professional career of more than 15 years, M. Leonard has been involved in various Organisations, including Governments, international and regional organizations and University programs as lecturer and researcher , proposals writing, projects design and management.

Having been invited several times in international business meetings and missions on sustainable development and inclusive growth, Mr. Nkunzimana is comfortable working in a multidisciplinary backgrounds and multicultural environments. In 2014, Leonard was invited as Research Scholar at Arizona State University (ASU) to learn and share with ASU professionals his experience on social acceptability of bioenergy projects in the East- African context. All the above accomplishments to his credits have been made possible by his ability to communicate and work in the two international languages ​​(English and French) and African languages.

He holds an advanced masters in Development Management and Evaluation from the University of Antwerp and a Specialized Studies Diploma in International Cooperation and Development from Free University of Brussels.

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