Staff Biographies

Mary Mavanza
Manager, TACARE Project (Lake Tanganyika Catchment Reforestation and Education)

Mary Mavanza has an insider’s perspective on the extraordinary challenges and opportunities facing the burgeoning populations in rural Africa.

She has worked in partnership with local communities for more than nine years to bring sustainable development to the Kigoma region of Western Tanzania. As manager of the Institute’s TACARE program, she has helped design and implement cost-effective, holistic community development projects, including a population/health/environment program, micro loans to establish sustainable small businesses, distribution of fuel-efficient stoves, infrastructure development, and scholarships for girls which nurture the belief that educating women and mothers benefits the entire family and the entire community.

Ms. Mavanza can speak on a variety of issues related to rural development and conservation in Africa, including community-centered conservation, volunteer-based networks, and gender issues.

Ms. Mavanza holds a MSc in Development Policy Process and Practice from the University of Reading in the UK, a BSc in Human Nutrition from the Sokoine University of Agriculture, a Certificate in Micro finance and Gender & Community Development from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands.

To inquire about engaging Ms. Mavanza as a speaker, please Contact Nona Gandelman.