Dr. Madeleine Nyiratuza is Founder of FHA.
Madeleine is an environment protection and conservation expert. She led several programs on integrating food production and ecosystem health and human-wellbeing and pioneered the restoration and conservation of the Gishwati Natural Forest. Through her leadership, the Gishwati Natural Forest was expanded and was upgraded to a National Park by the Rwandan government in 2015.
Madeleine possesses a PhD in Environmental Planning and Management.

Dr. Sylvain Nyandwi is the Co-founder and Vice-President of Forest of FHA.
Dr. Nyandwi has had a longstanding interest in primate behavior and wildlife conservation. As an undergraduate student at the University of Rwanda, he majored in Biology before working for 4 years as a chimpanzee field researcher at Gishwati forest, Part of Gishwati-Mukura National Park. During that period, Dr. Nyandwi gained valuable experience in field methods and his commitment to nonhuman primate research and (…)

Simeon HABYARIMANA is the Forest of Hope Association Secretary-Treasurer. Simeon oversees all areas of finance and administration. He also assists the FHA Coordinator in overseeing the implementation of the FHA Operations, Manual and other regulations. Simeon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Kigali Independent University.
Simeon HABYARIMANA became part of Forest of Hope Association after serving as an administration and finances Manager of Gishwati Area Conservation Program (…)

Josue Kwizera NIYINKUNDA is the National Coordinator of Forest of Hope Association (FHA). Josue is a conservationist by Training and has an effective capacity to lead conservation initiative. Since 2026, Josue oversees all aspects of day-to-day FHA operations and plays a critical role in conservation of Gishwati Natural Forest, part of the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, the youngest park in Rwanda. Orienting the forest protection is the most fundamental aspect of his work as the coordinator (…)

Christian Mushimiyimana is the FHA Deputy Coordinator in Charge of Community Engagement. Christian conservation journey began as a young boy grazing cattle with his family in Gishwati Forest, an experience that inspired his lifelong commitment to protecting the ecosystems he once depended on. Currently, Christian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (Zoology and Conservation) from the University of Rwanda, and a strong background in biodiversity conservation and wildlife management. (…)

Emmanuel MASENGENSHO is the Deputy Coordinator for Research and Monitoring, responsible for the management of FHA’s research and monitoring activities, with a primary focus on the Gishwati Primate Monitoring and Habituation Program. As a resident of Gishwati with a background in conservation and an extensive experience in the scientific research, Emmanuel coordinates the work of Primate trackers, overseeing the daily data collection and the primate habituation progress, and orienting (…)

Aimable SADIKI is the Deputy Coordinator in Charge of Operations and Finance. SADIKI is an experienced hospitality and tourism professional with over 23 years of expertise in finance and hospitality. Sadiki joined FHA in January 2021 as its Operations Manager, a role that developed his skills in management and administration. He was appointed Deputy Coordinator in Charge of Operations and Finance in April 2026. Sadiki leads the annual budgeting process, oversees financial management, and (…)