Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. V I ainebiz: When you emigrated from Burundi in 2011, you came alone. How did you manage to adjust and go on to create a network of services to help others break through the barriers that immigrants face? Claudette Ndayininahaze: When I arrived in Maine, I had no con- nections and no clear path for- ward. e transition was incredi- bly challenging. I faced language barriers, cultural differences and the uncertainty of starting over. However, I knew that the key to navigating this new envi- ronment was resilience, educa- tion, and building relationships. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY BREAKING BARRIERS BUSINESS LEADER Claudette Ndayininahaze Founder, In Her Presence As an immigrant herself, Claudette Ndayininahaze understands the staggering number of challenges women face in moving to Maine. She founded In Her Presence with a focus on helping women develop language skills and cultural navigation. Over the past decade, the Portland-based nonprofit has expanded programming to include workforce development, leadership training, advocacy, and health and wellness initiatives to equip women with the tools they need to thrive. Outreach has grown from serving an original 12 women in its first year, to 843 today. With family members included, the organization helps 3,000 new Mainers. builds off her experience to help others Claudette Ndayininahaze B y T i n a F i s c h e r Supporting immigrant women navigating a new life M A R C H 2 4 , 2 0 2 5 12 M

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