Join African Leadership University & H2i on
May 13th for a Fireside at FemSTEM with Dr. Christelle Giraneza!
Fireside at FemSTEM is an engaging conversation series within the broader FemSTEM Africa event lineup.
Each session features an intimate, interactive dialogue with a remarkable woman leader in Africa’s health entrepreneurship space. These inspiring speakers share personal career journeys, key lessons learned, practical advice for aspiring founders, and more, offering a unique window into the realities of leading in health innovation across the continent.
Meet the Speaker | Dr. Christelle Giraneza
Dr. Christelle GIRANEZA UWANTEGE
Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer – URUKUNDO Initiative
Dr. Christelle Giraneza Uwantege is a medical doctor and passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), mental health, and gender equity. She holds a Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Rwanda and a Master’s in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity, where she is also a current East African Biodesign Fellow.
As Co-founder and CMO of the URUKUNDO Initiative, a youth-led social enterprise, she champions the URUKUNDO Life Skills Board Game—a tool providing accessible, evidence-based SRHR and life skills education in both physical and mobile formats. Her work empowers youth to make informed choices, reducing risks like teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and gender-based violence.
Dr. Christelle is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur committed to advancing health, education, and equity in her community.
FemSTEM Africa 2025 Program
Kickoff Event & Panel | April 1, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:30 AM EDT / 2:00 – 3:30 PM CAT (Virtual)
Pitch Applications Open | April 2, 2025 to April 29, 2025
Fireside at FemSTEM | April 22, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 – 3:00 PM CAT (Virtual)
Fireside at FemSTEM | May 13, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 – 3:00 PM CAT (Virtual)
Fireside at FemSTEM | June 3, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 – 3:00 PM CAT (Virtual)
FemSTEM Workshop & Hackathon (open to all) & Mentor Day (finalists) | June 23 & 24, 2025 (In-Person, Kigali)
FemSTEM Pitch Competition | June 24, 2025 (In-Person, Kigali)
What is FemSTEM Africa?
FemSTEM looks to inspire, engage and celebrate women entrepreneurs in the health space. This year’s FemSTEM Africa program is hosted by African Leadership University (ALU) and Health Innovation Hub (H2i), in partnership with Sustineri Attorneys and the Mastercard Foundation. The program is run as part of the broader Africa Health Collaborative’s Health Entrepreneurship (HENT) Pillar.
Female health entrepreneurs and aspiring founders are invited to join the 2025 FemSTEM Africa event series, held virtually with select in-person sessions at ALU’s Kigali campus in Rwanda.
Women-led ventures will also have the opportunity to apply to be a part of the culminating pitch competition, with a chance to win $25,000 CAD in cash prizes and $15,000 CAD in in-kind legal services.
This program is brought to you by African Leadership University, Health Innovation Hub (H2i) at the University of Toronto, and Sustineri Attorneys, as part of the Africa Health Collaborative with support from the Mastercard Foundation.
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