Deborah Ishimwe

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

I bring a strong capacity for creative thinking, particularly in finding innovative solutions to challenges, such as leveraging limited resources in Rwanda's healthcare sector. Throughout my experience, I've successfully led projects that required maximizing the impact of constrained resources, like optimizing supply chains and utilizing available funding efficiently. I would love to share these strategies with my mentors and colleagues to foster creative problem-solving in healthcare initiatives. I also hope to involve them in the ongoing projects that the Ministry of Health is working on, collaborating to enhance the effectiveness of the project I'm currently working on.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Strengthen leadership skills for managing large-scale health projects.
2. Learn best practices in innovative health technology integration.
3. Build a global network for collaboration in maternal and child health.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Identify workshops or certificate programs to further my learning after the program has ended
• Focus on leadership skills building
• Identify a short-term project I can work on at the partnering company
• Have exposure to specialized industry techniques
• Gets me involved in day-to-day activities of the mentor and partnering company.

Ideal Company Type

An ideal mentor would come from a mid-to-large-sized organization focused on healthcare technology, medical device innovation or global health initiatives. The company should prioritize sustainable healthcare solutions, inclusive leadership and impact-driven work. A collaborative, growth-oriented culture that values mentorship, diversity, and female leadership in STEM would be ideal. The mentor should have experience in healthcare systems management, digital health, or public health policy implementation, with a passion for improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Driven
2. Innovative
3. Collaborative

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

The 15-day mentorship will provide me with valuable insights into global healthcare practices, helping me refine my leadership skills and decision-making strategies. I aim to learn how to implement sustainable healthcare systems, especially in resource-constrained settings like Rwanda. This experience will also enhance my understanding of procurement and supply chain optimization, equipping me to lead impactful projects. I hope to gain new perspectives on global best practices, network with professionals, and gain practical knowledge that will directly support my long-term goal of influencing healthcare policy in Rwanda.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

After participating in the TechWomen program, I will use the skills and knowledge gained to strengthen various healthcare projects in Rwanda. By applying advanced supply chain management, innovative procurement strategies, and best practices in healthcare systems, I will enhance the efficiency and impact of projects like maternal health and neonatal care. For example, leveraging insights from my mentorship will allow me to improve resource allocation, streamline operations, and foster better collaboration with international partners. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to building sustainable healthcare systems and improving health outcomes across the country.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

2

Primary Professional Focus

• Bio or medical technology
• Database/systems/networks
• Technical training and/or learning specialist


Education History