Our Board includes experts in finance, healthcare, engineering, and education. Led by Chairman Selerin Ntahitagabira, the team brings deep leadership from the Burundian diaspora to guide BDI’s mission and ensure impactful, community-driven development.

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Selerin Ntahitagabira, CGMA, MBA

Chairman

Selerin Ntahitagabira is a co-founder and current Chairman of Burundi Development Initiatives (BDI). He has served on the Board of Directors since 2012 and was its initial Chairman until 2020. He was reappointed to the Board chairmanship on December 31, 2024. In his professional life, Selerin Ntahitagabira is an accomplished organization management professional and the Chief Financial Officer for the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, a not-for-profit organization serving disadvantaged youth, adults, and small businesses in South Los Angeles, California since 2017. He has more than 20 years of financial management experience at both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Selerin has outstanding skills in strategic planning, cash flow management, budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, internal controls design and maintenance, risk management, financial systems conversion, timely and accurate financial reporting, and superior management/coaching of fiscal and administrative teams. Among other professional occupations, Selerin served as Vice President & Controller at United States Veterans Initiative from 2008 to 2016. Selerin holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and holds the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant. Selerin is also active in other humanitarian endeavors, which include serving as Board treasurer for Rainbow Humanitarian Caretaker Foundation, and a Finance Commissioner for Burundi’s Cibitoke Diaspora Network.
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Anaclet Bampema, RN

Board Vice-Chairman and Treasurer.

Anaclet Bampema is a co-founder and current Vice- Chairman and Treasurer of Burundi Development Initiatives (BDI). He has served on the Board of Directors since 2012 as a Director. He was appointed to the Board as Vice-Chairman and treasurer on December 31, 2024. Anaclet Bampema is Registered Nurse (RN), holding a Bachelor Degree in Sciences of Nursing (BSN). He has been a Registered Nurse since 2019. Anaclet Bampema is married and is a father of four kids. He live in Jacksonville Florida, the Sunshine State.
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Desire Manirakiza

Secretary

Desire Manirakiza currently serves as the Secretary of Current Burundi Development Initiatives (BDI). He is a results-driven Civil Engineer with an unwavering commitment to both public and private entities engaged in designing, planning, and constructing life-changing infrastructure for underserved communities. His professional ethos is grounded in a deep sense of loyalty to initiatives that provide lasting, transformative solutions. Having built his career in the State of Massachusetts, he brings hands-on experience from a wide range of heavy civil engineering projects. His roles have included Laboratory Reinforced Concrete Technician, Field Engineer for tunnel finishes contracts, and Project Manager for roadways and bridge developments. Throughout his work, he consistently prioritizes the interests of project owners while maintaining high ethical standards and treating all stakeholders with equal professional respect. His expertise spans the full project life cycle, with core strengths in managing project scope, controlling budgets, adhering to schedules, engaging diverse stakeholders, and upholding rigorous quality standards.
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Dr. Jean-Baptiste Hajayandi

Director and Former Chairman

Dr. Jean-Baptiste Hajayandi is a co-founder, Director and Former Chair. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of African and World History. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Modern World History from St. John’s University (2001) and a PHD in African History from Stony Brook University (2013) in New York. After graduating from the University of Burundi with a BA in History, he worked for the government of Burundi, from 1985 to 2000, in various capacities and positions in the fields of Education (High School History Teacher, Assistant Principal, Inspector), Politics (Junior Political Adviser to the President), and Diplomacy (Second Counselor in New York, Chief of Staff/Secretariat of State for Cooperation). He is now an American citizen and lives in New York City.
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Brice Gateka

Director

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Diomede Misigaro Richard

Director

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