United Way East Ontario’s Community Builder Award program recognizes the outstanding volunteers and champions that help make our cities and towns a better place to live for everyone. Together with Apt613 we shine the light on volunteers across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County and Renfrew County.
Solange Tuyishime Keita is United Way East Ontario’s latest Community Builder Award recipient!
On the morning of Thursday, March 6, more than 200 people gathered at Elevate International’s International Women’s Day on the Hill event that Solange coordinates yearly, as Elevate’s President and CEO, to bring women together to celebrate and educate one another.
Attendees engaged in thoughtful panel discussions with women in leadership like Karla Briones, Julia Slanina, Sueling Ching, and Cathy McCallion, to name a few. Those women highlighted how equity means making the table bigger to allow more people to sit and engage in important conversations. They talked about opening doors wide for each other so more women can equally access opportunities.
This year’s global International Women’s Day theme is Accelerate Action, and nationally, the theme is Strength in Every Story.
To celebrate, Sonya Shorey, President and CEO at Invest Ottawa, helped United Way and Women United surprised Solange Tuyishime Keita with the award, honouring an individual who embodies the global and national theme and has been championing women and girls for years.
Solange Tuyishime Keita. Photo provided.
Solange came to Canada in 1996 at the age of 13. Born in East Africa, she survived war, genocide and living in a refugee camp early on in her life. She faced life experiences no one should have to face, but used those experiences to shape and inspire her work today to advance women and girls’ leadership globally.
Solange has been a dedicated volunteer and advocate for more than 15 years, working tirelessly to advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls. As the President and CEO of Elevate International, she is committed to fostering leadership, social empowerment, and economic growth for women.
Elevate International strives to make the world better, improve lives, and accelerate progress for all through its impactful initiatives. A key program Solange created is Elevate’s Champions Program, which pairs aspiring female leaders with senior executives across sectors to provide mentorship and career advancement opportunities. The Elevate Girls Leadership Program also equips young girls with the skills, confidence, and support necessary to succeed in school, careers, and beyond.
Beyond her leadership at Elevate International, Solange serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Canada and co-founded Naylah’s Legacy, a non-profit dedicated to supporting premature babies and their mothers. Naylah’s Legacy was created in memory of a baby she lost while giving birth to triplets, and it continues to provide vital support to families facing similar challenges, both on a local level with the Ottawa Hospital Foundation and on a global level with UNICEF.
Over the years, she has played a critical role in raising more than $3.4 million, positively impacting 2.3 million children and women worldwide. Through her work, 4.3 million households have gained access to essential water, sanitation, and hygiene programs.
As Chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fundraising Day in Ottawa, Solange has championed diversity and inclusion within the non-profit and fundraising sectors. She led the 2024 initiative “New Voices: Unveiling the Power of Inclusive Fundraising,” which emphasized the importance of diverse representation, thought leadership, and innovation in philanthropy.
Through her work and volunteerism, she is helping shape a future where women and girls have greater decision-making opportunities and stronger economic contributions. By supporting leadership development and mentorship, she’s ensuring that the next generation of women will rise as influential leaders, strengthening communities and driving global progress.
Do you know a volunteer who has gone above and beyond to support their community? The Community Builder Awards program accepts nominations year-round! Nominate a Community Builder today!
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