Professor Mathilde Mukantabana serves as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States of America, as well as non-resident Ambassador to Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Her ambassadorial responsibilities include advancing Rwandan policies and priorities abroad, championing Rwanda’s culture, history and economy, and leading/engaging Rwanda’s residential and professional communities throughout the U.S. In service to this role, she regularly works with elected and appointed leaders at the highest levels of governments, parliaments, secretariats, multilateral bodies, and global funding organizations.
Prior to her diplomatic career, Ambassador Mukantabana served in higher education as a tenured professor of History and as a lecturer in Social Work. Concurrent to her academic work in the United States and in Rwanda, she co-founded Friends of Rwanda Association (F.O.R.A), a nonprofit American relief organization launched in the wake of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. She also serves on the Sonoma State University board of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Prior to academia, she worked as a social worker for the California State Department of Health. Her expertise includes philanthropy, nonprofit organizational development, community building, community organizing, advocacy, cross-cultural/cross- sector education, volunteer management, and mentorship/team leadership.
Ambassador Mukantabana has extensive experience in designing and leading international conferences, and speaking on issues that include genocide/ethnic conflict, conflict resolution, gender equity, education, health, workforce development, and economic and financial inclusion. She has been honored to present to diverse audiences at Ivy League Schools, global fora, multilateral convenings, congressional and parliamentary hearings, think tanks, international service clubs, and international film and arts festivals. She is also a published writer on topics ranging from historical biographies to genocide to racial equality.
A recipient of numerous awards for her work in peace, justice and reconciliation, Ambassador Mukantabana holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in History.