BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Tererai Trent, Ph.D.
Founder, Board of Trustees
The birthing of TTI and its Foundation is at the core of everything Dr. Trent believes in — to make a difference in education particularly in rural communities. Acting as chief visionary of the organization that bears her name, Dr. Trent’s career has focused on ending extreme poverty by working in the US and abroad with organizations such as Heifer International. Her firsthand experiences with gender inequality in education and the perseverance to achieve her own dream for an education against all odds touched millions — including Oprah Winfrey, who chose Dr. Trent as her “all-time favorite guest” after 25 years and more than 30,000 guests.
Dr. Trent is responsible for managing the operations of TTI Foundation, providing executive leadership, strategic direction and fundraising. As a mother, wife and humanitarian, Tererai’s work reflects her lifestyle and the things that inspire her. Her fight for social justice through education, understanding of people and desire to give back to the world are driving forces in her work. To learn more about Tererai’s life story or to make a speaking request visit here
Peace Mitchell
Chairwoman, Board of Trustees
Peace Mitchell is an investor, author, an international keynote speaker, CEO and co-founder of The Women’s Business School, AusMumpreneur and Women changing the World press and the Australian Ambassador of Women in Tech. Peace has a Bachelor of Education and in 2018, Peace completed her Sacred Sahwira Facilitation Training with Dr. Tererai Trent.
Peace is passionate about gender equality and supporting women and girls to reach their full potential and create the life they want to live. She has helped thousands of women achieve their dream of running a successful and profitable business and believes that investing in women is the best way to change the world.
Peace Mitchell and her sister Katy Garner co-founded AusMumpreneur in 2009 creating Australia’s #1 community for mothers in business and co-founded the Women’s Business School in 2016 to provide entrepreneurial education for women globally.
Melissa Cara Rigoli
CFO, Board of Trustees
Melissa Cara Rigoli is a marketing and design professional with international experience who has enjoyed years of collaborating with Dr. Tererai Trent and TTI in various capacities. Today she is thrilled to join the Board of Trustees to deepen her commitment to TTI’s mission.
Passionate about creating bridges of peace and understanding across the globe, Melissa believes that access to education is a human right. Melissa also believes in the the importance of creating healthy environments for a thriving future for people and the planet.
Melissa’s life and work has taken her around the world – from Zimbabwe to the Indian Ocean, to Europe, where she lived for over seven years. Her long relationship with Zimbabwe started over 20 years ago through her connection to mbira music. Melissa graduated from the University of Oregon, including a semester abroad in Harare, Zimbabwe, which was a life-changing adventure that continues to this day.
Mr. Ngoni Alex Robbins
Board of Trustees
Ngoni is a seasoned banker and qualified chartered accountant. He worked in the Zimbabwe banking sector for many years. He also did his articles of clerkship with a top 6 audit firm. He has worked for audit firms in Zimbabwe and in the UK.
He is the founder of Premier Business School, one of 7 ACCA platinum accredited learning providers in Africa and the only ACCA strategic partner in Africa. he holds the following qualifications. ACCA, CIMA, CPA Canada, BSc Hons in Accounting, MBA (Both from Oxford Brookes University), FP&A, and he is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Over the last few years, Ngoni has focused more into consultancy services around Training of IFRSs, IPSAS, Business Valuations and capital reconstruction.
Luann Tartar
Board of Trustees
LuAnn Tartar brings over 20 years of agri-business, finance and investment experience to the TTI Board of Trustees. LuAnn’s passion for humanitarian work and especially gender equality in education compliments the mission of TTI Foundation. LuAnn Tarter is the Executive Vice President of Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, the largest manufacturer of farm/ranch and livestock equipment in North America
Mr. Joyce Makuwerere
Board of Trustees
Joyce was born in 1962 in Chivi District, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. He completed his Primary Education in 1976, Secondary Education in 1981, Mutare Teachers College 1984 and graduated from the University of Zimbabwe (BEd. EAPPS-1999). Joyce obtained a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Professional College of Management (New Jersey) the Masters in Educational Leadership, Management and Development through Africa University (2016)
He was s Secondary school head at Tsatse Secondary from 1984-5, Mupfure Secondary 1986-7 and Primary School Head from 1996 to 2017. He was seconded as Schools Inspector (Hurungwe District) from 2018 to December 2021. He joined Matau Primary School on 01 January 2022.
STAFF
Ms. Nothando Muza
Country Director
Ms. Nothando Muza is an accomplished Development worker who has worked on various initiatives that created lasting positive impact. She is a highly accomplished person whose passion for driving meaningful change is evident in her every endeavour. She holds an Honours Degree in Development Studies from Midlands University in 2013, Nothando has established herself as a seasoned professional in the field of community development.
With a solid foundation in strategic planning, fundraising, awareness, research and community engagement, Nothando possesses a wealth of expertise that she brings to bear on every project she undertakes. Her ability to develop innovative solutions to complex social challenges is unmatched, and she consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.
She believes in making a difference in the communities through sustainable projects and has worked with several Civil Society organisations in planning, implementing and monitoring different initiatives.