It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of our beloved Board Chair, Dr. Carmen Nibigira, a beloved leader, mentor, and advocate for transformative education and sustainable tourism. Carmen passed away on November 16 in Nairobi at the age of 46, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of passion, resilience, and love.

Carmen’s journey with Akilah began in 2010, shortly after the institute’s founding. With characteristic determination, she contacted me, declaring, “I HAVE to be a part of this!”

Over the next 15 years, as a dedicated board member and later as Board Chair, Carmen infused Akilah with her grace, vision, and unwavering commitment to empowering underserved youth.

When Akilah was still in its infancy, Carmen’s determination led us on a remarkable journey. She convinced me and Dave to travel to Burundi to meet with the President and Minister of Education. “Burundian women must have a college where they can become leaders and entrepreneurs,” she insisted.

Her leadership made the impossible possible. Carmen spearheaded the launch of Akilah Burundi, and ensured that it thrived, impacting hundreds of women. Even when instability and violence forced the relocation of our Burundian students to Rwanda, her resilience kept the mission alive.

Carmen’s passion was boundless. Whether mentoring the ladies of Akilah, leading the tourism ministry in Burundi, or devising strategies to empower young Africans through entrepreneurship and conservation, she brought infectious energy to everything she touched.

Her approach to challenges was inspiring. Carmen faced every obstacle with a calm resilience and an unshakeable belief that “this too shall pass.” She had a rare gift: she was both a loving, supportive friend and an encouraging force who pushed those around her to become the best versions of themselves. Whenever I faced a problem or insecurity, I called Carmen and she radiated unconditional love and wise counsel- a gift she shared generously with so many.

Born in Burundi in 1978, Carmen was a trailblazer in tourism and hospitality, dedicating over 24 years to the industry. At the time of her passing, she served as the Lead for Tourism and Hospitality Management within the Mastercard Foundation’s Rwanda Programs team. Her academic achievements included a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Clemson University and advanced degrees in Travel and Tourism from universities in the United Kingdom.

She held key leadership roles, including Project Director for Horwath HTL, Director General of the Burundi National Tourism Office, and Regional Coordinator of the East Africa Tourism Platform. She began her career managing tour operations across East Africa and leading an international hotel in Tanzania. Her dedication and vision earned her accolades such as the African Women in Tourism Leadership Award and recognition as one of the Top 100 Influential Women in Travel in 2017.

Carmen was a fierce advocate for women’s education and socio-economic empowerment. Above all, she was a devoted mother to her two sons, Dominick (19) and Merrick (17), who were the loves of her life.

As we mourn this painful loss, we celebrate her extraordinary life. Her legacy will endure in the lives she touched, the industries she redefined, and the countless dreams she made possible. We honor her memory by continuing the work she was so passionate about, carrying forward her belief in resilience, hope, and the transformative power of education.

-Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes, Akilah and Davis College Co-Founder