Valerie Akuredusenge
Program Director
 
Valerie grew up in Gakenke District in the Northern Province of Rwanda. In 2005, she worked as a translator and guide for Amahoro Tours, a community – based tourism company based in Musanze. During her studies at Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education-INES, she interned with the Rwandan Parliament, translating and interpreting speeches and government documents. She also conducted an independent study, "Interpreting Problems Faced by Guides in Cultural Tourism", which focused on the importance of proper training for guides who work in community–based tourism. In 2007, she received a Bachelor of Translation and Interpreting. Since 2006, Valerie has worked closely with Julie Ghrist, the AoC director, assisting with administrative tasks, as well as teaching and translating conservation and health education lessons in the classroom. In June 2013, she started working as a Program Director for Conservation Heritage – Turambe.

Eric Mutabazi
Studio Artist and Conservation Educator
 
Eric grew up in Musanze District, Northern Province, Rwanda. He attended secondary school at the School of Art Nyundo in Gisenyi, Rwanda and has worked mostly as a graphic artist producing logos and signage for a variety of clients, including the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, The Gorilla Organization, and other NGOs, businesses, and eco-tour operators. From 2006 till 2013, he worked for Art of Conservation as a Studio Artist & Teacher leading students in lessons about drawing, painting, color theory, and other art topics. In June 2013, he started his work with CHT.

Pacifique NSHIMIYIMANA
Conservation Education Coordinator since 2024 - Present

Pacifique NSHIMIYIMANA was born and raised in Nyange Sector, Musanze District in the Northern Province of Rwanda.

Graduated from IPRC - Kitabi in Wildlife Management in 2019 and is currently furthering his education in Natural Resources and Environmental Management at Protestant University of Rwanda in Huye to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree. Pacifique’s dedication to conservation was revealed through his two - year volunteering with CHT from January 2019 to December 2020, where he showcased his passion and commitment to protecting Earth’s biodiversity. Before he joined CHT as a Conservation Education Coordinator, Pacifique was serving as a Primate Tracker and Monitor at Nyungwe National Park with Nyungwe Management Company Ltd for more than two years. His experience and dedication to wildlife conservation make him a perfect fit for his role at CHT.