Every year, I have the honour of meeting over 10,000 women and girls around the world—listening to their stories, sharing hope, and championing their leadership. As a UNICEF Ambassador, advocating for the most vulnerable children is not just my work—it is one of my life’s greatest joys and commitments to the next generation.

And when I am not on a stage or in the field, you’ll likely find me dancing in the kitchen with my family, music up and flour everywhere. If you ever join us for brunch, I promise you this: you will leave feeling loved… and with one of the best chocolate chip banana breads you’ve ever tasted.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

Music is life! While my daughters may call me a TikTok mom in training, they are always surprised when I can still bust a move without warning. Growing up as a refugee moving from country to country, dance became my universal language — I would quickly learn local cultural dances, and through that, I found connection, joy, and friendship.

Over the years, I have also trained in singing and theatre, which have deeply shaped my presence as a keynote speaker. Whether on stage or in everyday life, the arts have given me rhythm, voice, and the confidence to stand tall and speak with heart.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I played competitive soccer for eight years—a journey that started on the bench and ended as team captain. When I first moved to Canada, I joined the team not because I was the best player (in fact I had never played), but because I was looking for belonging in a new world. Thankfully, my first coach saw more than a new player—he saw a young girl searching for friendship and connection.

Years later, we had won four championships, and I was team captain. Soccer gave me more than medals—it gave me community, confidence, a place to rise, and proof that sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

My grandmother was one of the kindest souls I have ever known. Though she had little, she gave endlessly — a warm meal, a seat in her backyard, her homemade banana drink, and stories shared under the sun. No one ever left her home a stranger. Everyone felt seen, fed, and loved.

Her life was taken during conflict and genocide — brutally and unjustly. I was just a child, and for a long time, I could not understand why such goodness was taken in such a heartbreaking and senseless way. But as I grew, I realized: her legacy is not defined by how she died, but by how she lived.

That backyard — filled with laughter, kindness, and dignity — became my vision for leadership. A world where no one is left behind. A world where everyone belongs. And that is the kind of leader I strive to be. Because if we can make every room and every community feel like her backyard, we just might make this world better for all.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

My proudest accomplishment is raising over $3.6 million for children globally.

Imagine—a former child refugee now able to give hope to children like me in over 190 countries and territories, including some of the toughest places on earth. It has been the most profound full-circle moment of my life.

But beyond the numbers, there is nothing more powerful than sitting at the top of a mountain somewhere in the world, listening to young girls share their dreams. In those moments, my heart is full. As a mother of three daughters, I know this is not just about investing in the “future” — girls are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today.

That is why, throughout my philanthropic journey, I have helped raise funds and deliver over 100,000 sanitary napkins to ensure girls stay in school — and more importantly, preserve their dignity. I share my story with them — of once being a refugee who held onto her dreams — and I love witnessing the moment their eyes light up and their hearts quietly say, “I belong in greater places.”

It is an honour to experience that hope firsthand.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

Having identical triplets is the most unique thing that has ever happened to me! Oh my goodness—how much time do we have for this story?

I had four children in just 23 months, and watching my first three babies come into the world within five minutes was the most awe-inspiring miracle I have ever experienced. The odds of naturally conceiving identical triplets? One in two million. So yes, I probably should have played the lottery that day!

It is one of the most intriguing and beautiful chapters of my life — and if you ever join me for tea, I promise the stories only get better. Absolutely unreal… and absolutely unforgettable.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career ambition is to become a Global Ambassador for UN Women.

Over the past few years, I have traveled to more than 20 countries, met over 10,000 girls, and hosted 30+ women’s leadership and empowerment events.

As a UNICEF Canada Ambassador, I have dedicated my life to advocating for children — and I am equally committed to ensuring that women and girls are not only heard, but lead at every table where decisions are made. The world’s greatest challenges disproportionately affect women and children, yet they are too often excluded from the solutions.

That is why I founded Elevate International in 2017 and proudly serve as an ambassador for UNICEF’s Women Unlimited Giving Circles, which have raised over $12 million, impacting more than 2.3 million women and children globally.

Honoured to serve as Miss Universe Canada, I will continue to unite leaders, changemakers, and communities to take this mission even further — not alone, but together.

Together, we can amplify a message the world urgently needs to hear:
To the 130 million girls still out of school — you belong in higher places.
In classrooms. In boardrooms. On global stages. At decision-making tables.

And I am committed to helping make that happen.
Because when we lead with purpose and unity, Miss Universe Canada becomes more than a title — it becomes a leadership platform changing lives.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

I am incredibly grateful to say that I am living my dream job.

After surviving loss, displacement, and life as a refugee, I spent many years asking: Why did I survive? What is the meaning of this life?

They say the two most important days in our lives are the day we are born and the day we discover why — and I am now great to I know my why.

As a UNICEF Ambassador, global speaker, and advocate, I have the privilege of standing for the most vulnerable and empowering women and girls around the world. I travel globally to amplify voices, build bridges between communities, and create platforms for lasting change.

And every new chapter — including Miss Universe Canada — allows me to live that dream with even deeper purpose and global impact.

In short: I am Solange Tuyishime Keita, and I unite and celebrate leaders who are making the world better — because human-centered leadership, at its highest level, is love in action.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

The world quickly became my home — in more ways than one.

I was born in the heart of East Africa, surrounded by love, laughter, and the warmth of family. Holidays were spent with aunts and uncles, and summers brought village visits to my grandparents — where joy lived in the simplest moments.

That chapter was cut short when I became a refugee, but I was embraced by countries that shaped me — from Rwanda to Uganda, Congo to Kenya. East Africa will forever be my birthplace in every sense.

Starting over in Canada showed me that new beginnings are real. They come with hope, healing, and the chance to live dreams once tucked away for survival.

My childhood may be complex, but I would not change a thing — because it taught me to love humanity in its purest form.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

When I was 15, I begged my parents to sign a permission form so I could get my first job — at McDonald’s!

What can I say? An interesting job, indeed — especially when you are learning to juggle fries, smiles, and life lessons all at once. It taught me the value of hard work, humility, and showing up with excellence, no matter the role.

And yes… I still know how to perfectly salt fries!

List any volunteering you have done.

Volunteering has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My very first volunteer experience was at a multicultural summer camp when I was new to Canada — it was where I found connection, purpose, and belonging.

Since then, I have volunteered with local women’s shelters, youth mentorship programs, and global humanitarian efforts through my work with UNICEF and Elevate International. Whether organizing leadership events, delivering essential supplies, or simply showing up to listen and serve, volunteering has always been my way of giving back — because service is where true leadership begins.

What is your most unusual talent?

My most unusual talent? I can learn a new language in under three months.

That is how I speak four languages fluently — and I am currently learning two more. But I would be doing the world a disservice if I did not also mention my culinary superpower…

I invent desserts in my mind — and bring them to life in under an hour. Have you tried my tres leches latte cake? How about my extra-moist chocolate chip banana date bread or my caramel Skor chocolate cake?

Baking is my love language. And while it might not sound unusual at first, turning imagination into indulgence on a plate? That’s my sweet spot.

You are officially invited to brunch. Just come hungry.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

The most interesting place I have been to is South Africa.

From the moment I arrived, every sense came alive — the vibrant colors, the rich rhythms of music in the streets, the warm smiles that greet you like family. I tasted some of the most flavorful food I have ever had — from bunny chow to perfectly spiced grilled meats — each dish telling a story of resilience, culture, and joy. And then there were the parks: wide open skies, majestic animals in their natural beauty, and landscapes that seem to stretch into forever.

But what made it unforgettable were the days I spent dancing with young girls in a local community. We danced with bare feet and full hearts, and for those moments — I felt something sacred.

I felt freedom. I felt joy. I felt worldly home.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years, I hope to be serving as a Global Ambassador for UN Women, continuing to advocate for women and girls on the world stage.

I envision working alongside global leaders to advance gender equity, lead humanitarian missions in underserved regions, and expand the reach of transformative initiatives — including Elevate International, UNICEF’s Women Unlimited, and national and global pageant platforms — to ensure every girl has access to education, dignity, and opportunity.

I will continue making meaningful investments in the next generation — not just telling young people they belong in leadership, but actively creating platforms where their voices, talents, and dreams can thrive.

My purpose will remain the same: to build a world where leadership is united and rooted in humanity — and where every girl knows her voice truly matters.

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

I believe that gratitude turns what we have into enough, and who we are into more.