Sandrine Umutoni has served as the Minister of State for Youth since 22 August 2023. Prior to that, she served for 7 years as the Director General at the Imbuto Foundation – a non-governmental organization founded in 2001 by the First Lady of Rwanda, H.E. Jeannette Kagame, to contribute to the development of a healthy, educated, and prosperous Rwandan society.
Prior to her work with Imbuto Foundation, Ms. Umutoni was involved with international development institutions, immigrant and refugee communities in Atlanta, USA. Her contributions encompassed education, policy research, as well as promoting access to literature and the arts in both the United States and Rwanda.
With a strong affection for her homeland, Rwanda, Sandrine Umutoni has a deep passion for community development, social studies, exploring new cultures, and the creative industries. Notably, she authored her debut children's book titled 'Nayima’s Prize' in 2016.
Ms. Umutoni's educational achievements include a B.A. in International Relations from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, USA. Additionally, she holds an M.A. in French Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Translation from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She is proficient in French, English, and Kinyarwanda, and an intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish.