Doria Shima

Background

About Doria Shima

I am a native of Burundi who was raised across multiple East African nations, including Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. My family and I survived the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, an experience that profoundly shaped my worldview and career trajectory. The delayed response of international peacekeeping forces and humanitarian aid during this crisis ignited my dedication to humanitarian work and social action initiatives. Throughout my formative years, I actively participated in various service-oriented activities, including my church's compassion ministry, my parents' orphanage operations, and numerous community-based social action programs. My professional focus centers on facilitating positive community transformation through strategic program development and assessment. I specialize in assisting organizations with the development of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks and tools designed to measure programmatic impact and enhance service quality. I possess extensive experience in designing and facilitating capacity-building workshops that strengthen organizational capabilities in program monitoring and evaluation methodologies. My commitment to community engagement extends beyond my professional responsibilities. Some of the initiatives I have co-founded include: One Youth - A youth-led nonprofit organization established during my university years, which included coordinating alternative spring break service learning experiences in underserved communities, including Guatemala. Elevate Tennis Club - Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide community members with opportunities for physical activity and social connection. Stand With Burundi - An advocacy initiative focused on raising international awareness regarding civil unrest in Burundi and promoting peaceful conflict resolution strategies. Coming Together - A support group that provides job opportunities, resources and wellness events to navigate difficult transitions. I maintain active leadership roles in various peace-building and community development initiatives within my local community. My involvement includes participation on multiple committees addressing diverse social issues. I am recognized within my networks as a peace and human rights advocate, community leader, humanitarian practitioner, and athletics enthusiast. As a global citizen, I maintain a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and international engagement. My professional experience spans North America (US and Canada) and Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Ghana).