V O L . X X V I N O. X X I V
O C T O B E R 5 , 2 0 2 0
ainebiz: How did you come
from Burundi to Maine,
and from your work in business
to starting and leading In Her
Presence?
Claudette Ndayininahaze: I came
to the United States in 2011 because
of political reasons back home. I
P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY
A calming presence
Claudette Ndayininahaze is executive director of In Her Presence, a Portland
nonprofit working to ensure that Maine's economic future includes the
aspirations and needs of immigrant women in communities across the state.
In addition, she works as the intercultural program manager for the Center for
Grieving Children. A native of Burundi, she co-founded In Her Presence five years
ago with Abusana Micky Bondo, who had come to Maine from the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. Ndayininahaze holds a bachelor's degree from the
University of Burundi, and worked as a national sales manager for Heineken and
as president of the Burundi Girl Scouts Association before immigrating to the U.S.
22
Claudette Claudette
Ndayininahaze Ndayininahaze
Executive director, co-founder
In Her Presence, Portland
Helping immigrants
create a 'presence' in
Maine, and its economy
B y W i l l i a M H a l l
