The People Behind the Mission
Click any card to expand full bio and key responsibilities.
Daniel Baraka
Co-Founder & President
Director of Strategy & Innovation
Provides vision and strategic leadership for Waza Green — guiding innovation in circular economy solutions and building partnerships with governments, investors, and development institutions.
A green entrepreneur and alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship in Leadership and Civic Engagement, Daniel has over six years of experience building sustainable businesses that address environmental challenges. His initiatives have resulted in the recycling of over 1,000,000 plastic bottles and the launch of agricultural projects creating jobs for rural youth. He holds a degree in environmental management.
- Strategic leadership & organizational vision
- Climate innovation & circular economy development
- Institutional partnerships & investor engagement
- Market expansion & long-term growth strategy
James BAHATI
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Director of Operations
Leads operational implementation, overseeing waste collection networks, recycling systems, and manufacturing operations to ensure efficiency and quality in Waza Green's circular production model.
A social entrepreneur and MasterCard Foundation Scholar with deep expertise in program management and leadership. As Managing Director, James ensures the company's operations run at the highest standard from waste collection through to manufacturing and product delivery.
- Recycling operations & waste collection networks
- Manufacturing & production management
- Operational efficiency & logistics
- Quality control & production standards
Deborah Uwimana
Co-Founder & Community Programs Lead
Clean Energy Trainer
Drives clean energy training, environmental awareness, and community engagement programs — ensuring Waza Green's impact extends beyond infrastructure to lasting community empowerment.
An electrical engineer and leading social entrepreneur with a decade of experience in sustainable energy. She worked for 11 years at Virunga Energy, managing distribution of electric stoves and facilitating access to credit for local entrepreneurs.
- Community training & environmental education
- Clean energy integration into projects
- Monitoring & evaluation of community programs
- Impact measurement & reporting
Christian KILOLO
Head of Engineering &
Product Development
Leads technical development of Waza Green's construction materials and recycling technologies, ensuring all products meet structural, environmental, and safety standards.
Focuses on the technical innovation behind Waza Green's circular economy model. Responsible for ensuring that recycled plastic construction materials meet the highest engineering standards while continuously improving manufacturing processes.
- Product engineering & material innovation
- Technical design of recycled construction products
- Manufacturing process optimization
- Infrastructure and construction integration
Michée Dinzambi
Head of Partnerships &
Business Development
Leads Waza Green's partnerships with governments, NGOs, development agencies, and private sector stakeholders — building strategic collaborations for project development and market expansion.
A pragmatic leader with eight years of experience in rural agriculture and logistics. Now drives Waza Green's external relationships and market growth, connecting the company with partners who share a vision for a circular economy in Africa.
- Strategic partnerships & stakeholder engagement
- Business development & market growth
- Collaboration with municipalities and infrastructure partners
- Investor and development partner relations
Gloria Tshiashi
Communications & Marketing Manager
ICT & Digital Lead
Leads Waza Green's communication strategy, ICT integration, and marketing — ensuring visibility for projects and mobilizing communities and partners.
An entrepreneur and IT professional passionate about empowering young people. Holds a degree in English and Computer Science. Experience as a robotics and pitching trainer adds a unique dimension to her communications work.
- Communications & public relations strategy
- Marketing & stakeholder engagement
- ICT integration & digital training
- Brand visibility and impact communication
Couronne Mulanga
Entrepreneurship & Fellowship
Program Manager
Manages the Waza Green Entrepreneurs Fellowship, training ecological builders and fostering local entrepreneurship — bridging skills development with income-generating opportunities.
With a degree in architecture and extensive experience in sustainable building projects, Couronne ensures fellows gain both the technical and entrepreneurial skills to launch green businesses. Oversees the WAGE Fellowship from intake to graduation.
- Fellowship program management & coordination
- Ecological building training
- Entrepreneurship coaching & mentoring
- Participant journey oversight
Kalinda Buchana Noel
Head of Finance &
Administration
Oversees financial planning, budgeting, compliance, and organizational administration — ensuring Waza Green's sustainability, accountability, and maximum transparency.
An IT and technology expert with a deep commitment to sustainable development. In addition to managing finances, serves as an IT and environmental entrepreneurship trainer, reflecting a passion for building a greener future through sound systems.
- Financial management & investment planning
- Governance & compliance
- Administrative systems & support
- IT training for team and participants