Impact Now began in 2021 with the mission to provide coaching and professional development at affordable or no-cost to women who lead in for-impact organizations in the U.S. and East Africa. In 2023, we made a strategic shift: from delivering programs to women, to co-creating programs with them.

That shift also focused us to a specific geographic location, Beni, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and to a partnership with the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) where I had worked previously.

Impact Now and UCBC shared an interest in developing Congolese women leaders. And so, in 2023, we gathered ten women who represented our “ideal participants” to address a shared problem: lack of support and development opportunities to be the leaders they are called to be. 

We asked them a series of questions, including, “What is your vision of yourself as a leader?” and, “What gets in the way of realizing that vision?”

Their answers to the question, “What would make it possible for you to realize your vision if you had all the time, money, and resources in the world?” created the outline for what was to become Nyota—a six-month leadership cohort program specifically for female leaders. 

Nyota, which means star in Swahili, is a fitting name for the program and the women who participate. Nyota participants are leaders in schools, churches, hospitals, and NGOs. They shine with hope and energy. They don’t need outside solutions. They want partnerships that recognize and celebrate their leadership, facilitate skill development, and walk with them on their leadership journey. They want a network of professional relationships and global support. They want to meet together every Saturday for three hours for six months! 

And that’s what Nyota facilitates through the Impact Now and UCBC partnership.

• Impact Now brings curriculum design, coaching expertise, and human and financial resources.
• UCBC brings cultural and contextual knowledge, local facilitators, and local and national credibility.

Nyota is the supportive learning community that builds connections and strengthens skills.  

The results are thriving families and communities led by Nyota stars who have the confidence and skills to step courageously and purposefully into the leadership roles to which they have been called.

WHO WE ARE

Impact Now’s legal identity is a US-based 501(c)(3). That is our legal identity.

In actuality, Impact Now is a partner that collaborates with women leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and with the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) to advance a shared purpose: Advance the capability and confidence of Congolese women professionals as they lead change for the good of their communities. 

We achieve this shared purpose through leadership skill development and professional networks that speak to the Congolese context.