Here is complete and corrected bio information as provided by every traveler. Enjoy getting to know a little more about your peers and what inspired them to join the journey!
ANNETTE TOUTONGHI Annette Toutonghi lives in the Seattle area and has been working as a professional actor, director and an educator for the last 25 years. She’s performed with ACT Theatre, The Seattle Repertory Theatre, On the Boards, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Seattle Children's Theatre, The Seattle Group Theatre and Intiman Theatre among others. Favorite performances include The Man Who Could Forget Anything at On the Boards and The Rich Grandeur of Boxing with Megan Murphy and Company at the Centre National de la Danse in Paris, She is currently a faculty member and an Associate Partner at Freehold Theatre Studio Lab and has taught at University of Washington and Cornish College for the Arts. In addition, she has participated as a workshop facilitator with the Engaged Theatre Project in Washington’s correctional facilities and with PSKS, Peace on the Streets by Kids on the Streets. Annette is a proud board member of On the Boards in Seattle. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? I have always been interested in Africa, my family is from Egypt. My first trip to Africa was to Kenya in 1987. I took a semester off college and spent a couple of months there. I fell in love with the beautiful country of Kenya and since that I have been inspired to explore other countries and cultures in the continent. This will be my 4th trip to Africa and my first to Rwanda. I am especially interested to learn more about innovations and solutions to current issues that people have been exploring there. |
ANNE HARRIS From a very young age, I knew my greatest passion was helping people work through difficulties to move forward in a healthy way. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Utah in 2002, with a minor in Family and Consumer Studies. I attended graduate school at Portland State University and in 2009 completed my studies with a Masters in Social Work. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2013. My passion and special interest is working with women and girls to overcome isolation and loneliness. as well as those struggling with addiction. When I am not counseling, you will find me hiking, cycling, running, camping, backpacking and doing other outdoor recreation amongst my favorite people. I also love to cook, and I practice yoga and meditation regularly. My greatest source of excitement comes from travel, and I find myself concocting plans and dreaming of new experiences regularly. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? I am inspired by the resiliency of this country post-genocide. I also had a young woman from Rwanda stay with me for 8 days and I found myself in awe of her commitment to creating better lives for her country. |
ATHENA PHILLIPS My career in behavioral health began in 1995, where I stumbled upon a position working with developmentally disabled children and adults. My faith in human capacity and resilience is rooted in this experience; the people I was hired to serve were my teachers. The foundation of my current approach to therapy was developed in what they taught me, which is essentially to approach work with people from the assumption of capacity and strength. Establishing each working relationship from this perspective allows me to hold an unspoken belief in the ability to succeed as well as having the flexibility to define that success in a nuanced way. Working with this population prompted me to pursue my Bachelors degree in Social Work, which I completed at Pacific University. I graduated here Magna Cum Laude and was Social Work Student of the Year in 2000. During my internship at the Sexual Assault Resource Center, I helped develop a sexual assault prevention curriculum for children to be utilized within the school system. My interest in the treatment of trauma began to develop here and prompted me to pursue my graduate degree. I completed my Masters in Social Work from Portland State University where I was the recipient of the Laurels Scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Following the completion of my education, I provided in-home family therapy for those involved in the child welfare system. Additionally, I worked as a medical social worker providing assessments, continuity of care plans and crisis intervention work in a hospital setting. I also worked as a psychiatric social worker at an inpatient psychiatric hospital for geriatric patients. My interest and passion for working with trauma survivors continued to fester, and in 2007 I opened my private practice specializing in this area. As my practice has evolved, dissociative disorders have become a focus of the work that I do, as has a pursuit of community-based trauma and disaster relief. My own relationship with art and creativity has prompted me to offer specialized services to artists while simultaneously viewing creativity as an integral value of my practice. The demand for a progressive view to working with post-traumatic stress, dissociative identity disorder and related mental health challenges prompted me to create a center that is tailored for survivors. In opening Integrative Trauma Treatment Center, my goal is to provide a place where people know that their experiences will be acknowledged, that high-quality care will be provided from a progressive standpoint, and that each type of trauma will be addressed in a focused way What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? 1. The desire to offer sustainable mental health care administered by Rwandans to Rwandans in the post-genocide recovery. 2. The opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurial women who have a heart, the strength to take risks, and to open my mind to the perspective of another culture that has both endured and survived. |
BEVERLY THOMPSON Beverly Thompson holds a M.T.S from Wesley Theological Seminary and a Graduate Certificate in Peacebuilding from the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program at American University. Her interests include Transitional Justice, Community Healing and Reconciliation, Intergroup/Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Peacebuilding, and Development issues related to Gender Equality and Women’s Agency. For the last several years she has researched grassroots reconciliation systems in Zimbabwe, Southern Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. She is a Senior Imaging Scientist for Leidos and volunteer on-call scientist for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, focused on applications of Remote Sensing and Geospatial technology for Human Rights documentation and monitoring of Cross-border conflict. In addition she is a Senior Associate for the Institute of World Affairs, Washington, DC. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? 1. Interested in interactive discussions on women empowerment 2. Sponsored several women from Rwanda through the WfWI program 3. Currently doing research in the field of Peace and Conflict focused on grassroots healing and reconciliation after conflict. Interested in learning more about initiatives in Rwanda |
JESSICA BOLDT Since childhood I have been drawn to the helping professional and have continued to support my passion to assist others throughout my personal and professional life. In 2002, I began my academic and clinical training working with youth and families. While obtaining my Bachelors Degree in Human Development, I worked for Department of Children and Family Services functioning as an in-home child behavior specialist. In this position I was able to assist children heal from abuse and integrate into healthy family systems. It was there that I experienced individuals as having an intrinsic ability and desire to move forward given adequate support. This insight shaped my professional direction and continues to be my approach to trauma work. I pursued my clinical training at University of Southern California where I received a Masters in Social Work in 2006 At graduate school I had the unique experience of working with Los Angeles County of Mental Health Emergency Services assisting with refugee relief efforts and honed skill in macro clinical practice. I targeted learning efforts in the area of trauma including sexual and cultural violence, and issues specific to women. I received my clinical license in 2010 and continued to pursue my interest in trauma, providing mental health treatment to marginalized populations, such as youth in juvenile detention, foster-care, and community crisis response. In 2012 I began my practice at Integrative Trauma Treatment Center and the sister company, Vancouver Integrative Counseling. I have continued to work with survivors of trauma, particularly those recovering from complex trauma. I work closely with at risk youth and girls whom are working to empower themselves in managing issues such as self-harm, body image, and mood disorder. I am also active in working on a macro and preventative scale to engage community partners to explore cultural and underling causes of trauma and build accessible supports to aid. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? I am truly driven by my purpose to help women and girls heal and thrive, particularly those that have minimal resources. I have long been searching for an opportunity that aligns my work with a global cause, and the Rwanda journey could not be more perfect in melding these together. This has been a dream I have been cultivating for many years. I am eager to explore how me and my team could be of service in Africa, as well as to learn and listen. Also, cultivating global partnerships in mental health and supporting women globally is a strong passion of mine and I am eager to begin this work. |
KELLEY BRUGGERE Currently working as an on-camera entertainment news reporter and producer for online channel Android TV. Formerly in marketing communications in high technology, and beauty. Dabbled in the wine industry with marketing and sales. Drank a little wine too. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? Curiosity! Culture, people and the beauty of nature. I'm interested in it all and always learn so much about my world and myself by coming in contact with others and other places. The continent of Africa is a place I have always wanted to visit. I am thrilled to be visiting Rwanda, to be a part of this interesting agenda and with a group of fascinating women. |
MARIA BRUGGERE I do social media for Nike out of LA as well as my own business (mariabruggere.com). I manage several social media accounts on a daily basis. During my 4 years in LA I have worked in film production, music management, sports communications, and volunteer work. I am passionate about communications and bringing people together. I am also currently in the application process for a masters program at USC in digital and social media. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? I have wanted to travel to Africa since I was a little girl, it has always been a big dream of mine. I want to go to Rwanda with Half The Sky because I prefer to experience other countries in as little of a 'touristy' way as possible. To be able to interact and engage with the local people and community is what makes an experience like this even more meaningful. |
MARY TOUTONGHI Hi! I am an educator and just finished my M.A. in International Studies, with the Middle East as my regional focus, and Human Rights and Conflict Resolution as my areas of special interest. My research project was on children of immigrants and how they navigate being part of more than one culture. I have worked with young people in schools for many years and hope to continue this work. I volunteer for an organization that fosters reclaiming hope and power through personal work on healing, using methods of peer-counseling, telling our stories, listening and discharging past distress techniques. I teach and lead support groups involving these concepts. I am interested in improving our societies so that human and planetary flourishing is at the center of our priorities, rather than profit-making and unsustainable growth. "We have been involved in a variety of events such as the UN Women's Conference in Bejiing and follow up this year, World Peace Forums, White Privilege Conferences in the U.S. Two groups under the RC umbrella are United To End Racism and Sustaining All Life, which will be attending and participating in the Climate Change Conference in Paris in this Dec. I am proud to be involved in many of these events!" What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? First, my cousin invited me and we are so simpatico in the issues we are interested in. And I knew it would be a special opportunity to get closer to her. But the main thing is that I am interested in healing, both personal and planetary, and I love the idea of connecting healing to women and empowerment issues. Finally, I love to travel and connect with other cultures and new environments. |
REBECCA RODSKOG Some of my clients call me an “Innovation Strategist.” Others call me a “Change Agent,” a “Curator of Connections” or just simply “Coach.” A handful of fans know me as an indie film actress. And my kids call me “mom.” (Let’s keep it that way.) But what I really am is a “Workplace Crusader,” helping organizations transform outdated or non-scaleable practices into future-thinking, market-leading cultures where the best people can thrive. I’m an experienced consultant in the field of organizational transformation, change management and innovation. My over 20 years of experience span large-scale, Fortune 500 multi-million dollar projects to start-up clients to small, independent one-on-one coaching relationships. I’ve sat on both sides of the recruitment table, inspired executives to chart a new course, and climbed mountains (metaphorical, and...Mt. Shasta). Now, I’m on a mission to make organizations better places to do work that matters through my business: FutureLeaderNow.com What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? Professionally, women-leadership, inspiration and connection are all very helpful in my business. Personally, I've never been to Rwanda and am looking to expand my viewpoint, perspective and mindset. |
SARAH LEBO Sarah Lebo is a licensed professional counselor from Portland, OR, who specializes in trauma treatment. She utilizes research-based modalities like EMDR and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in her practice. She is also active in her professional organization serving on the board leadership for the Oregon Counseling Association and organizing an annual professional educational conference for the state’s licensed counselors, marriage and family therapists and social workers. What are 1-2 things that inspire you to join the Rwanda journey? 1) Learning about another culture's experience and perspective on trauma and recovery 2) Broadening my horizons beyond my limited experience in the U.S. |
AND, Last but not least, our guide Françoise Uzamukunda!
UZAMUKUNDA MARIE FRANÇOISE, PROGRAM MANAGER, GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT INSTITUTE I started working for GEI since 2012 as an Operation Officer few months after graduating with a BA in English Linguistic and Literature from the former National University of Rwanda where I was the recipient of Generation Rwanda scholarship. Mid-2013, I stopped working to pursue a M.A in the School of Education at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. I just finished my M.A in English Language and Literacy Studies. During my undergraduate studies, I participated in leadership positions of Students’ Union Committee and volunteering in training of high school students in non-violent communication and mediation through Red Cross International. In my last year during my internship, I was a school-based teacher trainer through International Education Exchange in a public school. I trained teachers in a nine-year based education school on lesson planning and teaching methodology. Since, I was young I have been interested in helping others and that led me to volunteer for Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development that provides education, health and legal services to women and children. I was involved in a project of supporting children heads of households in 9 districts of Rwanda. Currently, I continue my social activities through Open Heart Team, which is a Christian-based association that provides food, home materials and financial support to vulnerable people (in-hospital patients, widows, orphans and elderly without children). Additionally, I am a member of Rwanda Association of University Women. |