Burundi Association of North America

ABOUT US

Larissa Kaze - Co-President
Larissa Kaze has been an active member of the Burundian Diaspora of North America where she has been living since 1999. She has participated in fundraisers, conferences and Inyange cultural dance troupe of New York. She is currently a Financial Analyst at the Boeing Company. Larissa received her Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. She is fluent in Kirundi, English, French, Kinyarwanda and Swahili.
Abdel Rigumye - Co-President
Abdel Rigumye is a Software Engineer currently working at Lehman in New York City. He holds a Masters degree in Computer Engineering from Washington University and a BA in Computer Science from Knox College. His interests are ICT-Driven Development and Education.

Micha Muhimpundu - Treasurer
Despite moving to NY at the tender age of 14, Micha has always held an interest in investment opportunities and humanitarian issues in Burundi. She's attended and participated in various conferences aimed at highlighting the plight of Africa. While in college, she volunteered at the Red Cross and was active in various student organizations. She enjoys taking part in cultural events at places like the United Nations and is proud to be part of BANA, a one of a kind organization that is sure to make a difference. She recently graduated from Baruch College at the City University of New York with a Degree in Entrepreneurship/ Business Management with a concentration in Finance and Economics and a Minor in Law and Policy. She currently works as a financial and legal consultant for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in New York.
Nina Inamahoro - Secretary

Eric Biribuze - Board Member
Eric is currently employed at Corning Cable Systems in Hickory, North Carolina as a Product Line Manager. Since joining Corning in 1997, Eric has held a series of increasingly responsible positions in Finance, Manufacturing and Product Line Management. Following High School in Burundi, Eric went to China for college education where he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Masters of Science in Management of Information Systems. He came to the US in 1995 to further his education and graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with an MBA degree. He's fluent in five languages, including Kirundi, Swahili, French, English and Mandarin Chinese. Eric is actively involved in several community activities and organizations, including a marathon running club, Appalachian Alumni Association and St. Aloysius Church. He's a member of Appalachian MBA Advisory committee and supports various charities benefiting Burundian development and education. Eric currently resides in Hickory, North Carolina with his wife, Claudine Uwimbabazi, where they expect their first child in July 2008.
Becky Masabarakiza - Board member

Raphael Nzirubusa - Board Member
Raphael completed his undergraduate studies in Agriculture Engineering in Burundi in 1990. He then joined the Agriculture Ministry upon graduation and served in several positions of growing importance before leaving Burundi and start post-graduate studies in the US. He completed a Master Degree in Resources Economics at Colorado State University in 1995; was awarded a teaching-research assistantship and admitted to the doctoral program in Economics at Colorado State University. He joined Standard & Poor's Investment Services in 1997 where he occupied various key positions in the Operations Departments within the Investment Services Business Unit of S&P. He recently was recruited by Fidelity Investments where he served as Director of Data Content Strategy for its Market Data portfolio. Raphael earned an Executive MBA degree from Colorado State University (Denver Campus) in 2001 and has various professional and community achievement awards. He is married and father of 2 children.
Joseph Naraguma - Board Member