Joan Mazimhaka

Joan is the co-founder and CEO of Illume Creative Studio in Kigali, Rwanda. She is responsible for developing and managing the strategic communication tools developed by Illume for various clients and oversees client management, content development and marketing.

Previously, Joan worked for ten years as a consultant advising industry leaders on strategy objectives and initiatives within Rwanda’s tourism and investment sectors. Joan’s work focused on strategy development, project development, and marketing and branding. She also contributed to international magazines and publications, film productions and national development strategies towards the promotion of investment and tourism in Rwanda. In addition, she was responsible for organizing numerous high-level events and conferences.

An avid traveler, Joan is an alumni of the Peace Through Business Program through the Institute of the Economic Empowerment of Women and she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Humanistic Studies from McGill University in Montreal, Canada as well as a Master’s degree in Tourism Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Joan worked with Konnektiv on a market analysis on ICT in tourism in Rwanda which pinpointed enablers and important stakeholders, highlighted best practices from the continent and around the world, as well as addressed major challenges within the field.