Solange Tuyishime-Keita
Height: 5’8
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Languages: English, French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi & Swahili
Occupation: President and CEO
Solange was born and raised in East Africa, survived war and genocide at the age of 11 and became a refugee before immigrating to Canada. Today, Solange is a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador, advocating to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children in 190 countries and territories. Through her efforts, she has helped raise over $3.6 million for women and children worldwide. She is also leading change globally for women and girls as the Founder, President & CEO of Elevate International, an organization dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and economic power globally.
Solange is a recipient of various awards in recognition of her national and global contribution, including the 40 under 40 award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Business Woman of the Year award and most recently the Order of Ottawa, just to name a few.
Through her leadership roles, Solange has been an inspirational speaker to over 2.5 million people. This includes presenting at the United Nations, helping to lead the first cohort and largest investment of women philanthropists globally, while also serving as a spokesperson for UNICEF across Canada and globally. She continues to actively advocate for children’s rights, to a quality education and access to clean water.
Solange is the proud mother of four beautiful daughters, identical triplets: Aliyah, Leylah, their beautiful angel in heaven Naylah, along with their youngest daughter Samiyah. Solange is proudly married for eleven years to Oumar, President of Keita Inc. At home, you will often find Solange in the kitchen, dancing with her daughters while cooking with her husband who she loves to call her favourite chef and traveling partner. Solange has a University Masters degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor in Journalism and Honors in French.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
- Self-proclaimed Best Brunch Baker. You’re invited!
- Training for The Amazing Race
- TikTok Dance Mom-in-Training
- Romantic Country Driving
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
- Masters in Public Administration – Université de Moncton
- Bachelor in Journalism and Honours in French – St. Thomas University
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
Competitive Soccer
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
Our daughter Naylah who is currently in heaven. In memory of our daughter Naylah, we celebrate Angel Day with family every year on September 13th. Through Naylah’s Legacy we have raised more than 2.3 Million dollars to help save the lives of premature and new born babies globally.
In our daughter Naylah’s short time on earth, my husband and I were reminded how life is truly a gift. As a mother of three incredible girls today, I am inspired to make the best of each day so that our daughters can experience life through a positive lens. At home, you will often find us in the kitchen, dancing and sharing moments of laughter.”
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
15 years as a UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) Ambassador, I still have to pinch myself! It is hard to believe that the 11 years old girl who was once a refugee is traveling the world today to enhance the lives of 262 million children without access to education globally. As a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF; I help drive change in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives and help them fulfil their potential.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
Most unique – Definitely having indexical triplets!
3 children being born in five minutes? It doesn’t get more magical than that!
Most interesting – I am a Polyglot with the most contagious laugh. 🙂
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
Becoming UN Women goodwill ambassador. As the Founder, President and CEO of Elevate International, I am fortunate to travel globally, empowering women and girls to be leaders.
There is nothing more magical than sitting on a mountaintop in South Africa with young girls sharing dreams and the experiences that are shaping them into the incredible women they are becoming. From Canada to Geneva, United States, Jamaica, Haiti, and Zimbabwe, I continue to meet and empower brave and inspiring women and girls worldwide. That feeling of experiencing love and hope simultaneously is incredibly heartwarming.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
An International Leader and United Nations Ambassador traveling globally to empower women and girls, while also uniting leaders to create a better world for women and children.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised in Easter Africa, where I lived a beautiful childhood full of family love and wonderful experiences. At the age of 11, I became a refugee after surviving a war and genocide and eventually moved to Canada where I proudly call home.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I once volunteered for a children summer camp for newcomers and we all spoke broken English, so we used art and music to communicate all summer. It was amazing!
List any volunteering you have done.
- Raised over $3.6 million for women and children worldwide
- UN Goodwill Ambassador
- Internationally Recognized for Outstanding Humanitarian Service
- National Award-Winning Business Woman and 40 Under 40 Recipient
- International Speaker to over 2.5 million people
- World Traveler and Global Citizen (25 countries in counting)
What is your most unusual talent?
I host over 10,000 people every year.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
South Africa! South Africa continues to amaze me! From the most beautiful Safaris to the most impact humanitarian work, I always come back as an inspired leader.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
Helping more women build successful businesses and continuing my work globally as UN Goodwill Ambassador for women and children.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I’m my daughter’s superhero standing on the shoulders of incredible women. Here’s to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.