By: John Dixon
Internationally renowned speaker, bestselling author, and certified executive coach Victoria Trabosh has spent her life helping people lead with purpose and impact. Based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Trabosh has coached Fortune 100 leaders, spoken on international stages, and guided changemakers across various sectors. Still, nothing has shaped her worldview more than her experiences with the people of Rwanda.
In 2004, what began as a casual lunch invitation from a former boss evolved into a calling that would span two decades, encompassing 13 international trips and raising over $1.5 million for community-based programs. Now, she’s preparing to return to Rwanda in October 2025, and this time, she’s taking others with her for a transformative tour through the Land of a Thousand Hills.
A Life-Changing Encounter
At that luncheon, Trabosh met a Rwandan woman named Rita Ngarambe. Rita introduced herself by saying, “I will be your mother,” after learning that Trabosh’s mother had shared her name. The connection was instant and unforgettable.
As Rita spoke about the impact of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and the despair her people still faced, Victoria offered her truth from her work with the elderly: “I don’t believe God wants us to wait. We should do what we can while we’re here.”
Rita’s response? “You must come to Rwanda and speak to my people.”
Without hesitation, Trabosh said yes.
From Awareness to Action
Before boarding a plane, Trabosh hosted a fundraiser called Brick by Brick, raising $23,000 in one night. Every guest received a brick representing both the weight of pain and the possibility of rebuilding. The image stayed with her. When she visited Rwanda for the first time in 2005, she carried that promise and that purpose with her.
What she witnessed would forever alter her path.
“I was overwhelmed by the resilience,” she says. “This wasn’t a broken country. It was a healing one, full of strength, hope, and wisdom. I knew I had to do more to support a nation determined to rebuild, brick by brick by brick.”
The Itafari Foundation: Built on Partnership
Soon after returning, Trabosh co-founded the Itafari Foundation, the name meaning “brick” in Kinyarwanda. With no corporate infrastructure or paid staff, the organization raised over $1.5 million, with less than 6% of the funds allocated to overhead.
The foundation’s core mission was not to “help” but to partner. It funded microloans for women, built a high school, sponsored children, purchased goats for child-headed households, and supported female artisans through global sales of jewelry and baskets.
“For us, success was measured in dignity, not dependency,” says Trabosh. “The people of Rwanda didn’t need saving. They needed resources and respect.”
The foundation closed in 2016, having accomplished its goals.
“Itafari was never meant to last forever,” she says. “It was meant to make a lasting impact—and it did.”
Leading with Heart: A Journey to Rwanda
In October 2025, Trabosh will return to Rwanda for her 14th visit—but this time, she’s leading a curated, purpose-driven tour for individuals ready to witness the country’s remarkable transformation firsthand. This comprehensive tour will allow visitors to engage with, experience, and embrace the Land of 1000 Hills.
The itinerary is designed for individuals who seek more than a vacation—they want a meaningful experience. Travelers will meet local leaders, visit historic memorials, explore cooperatives, and experience Rwanda’s wildlife and culture, including the famed mountain gorillas and Akagera Game Park.
“This is not about being a tourist,” Trabosh says. “It’s about coming with reverence, listening to the stories, and allowing the experience to shift something inside of you.”
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead, to serve, and to stand for something.
The Coach Behind the Mission
Victoria Trabosh isn’t just a philanthropist or storyteller; she is a master-level executive coach who uses her lived experiences to support high-level leaders seeking more than traditional success. Her coaching focuses on courageous communication, values-driven decision-making, and leading with legacy in mind.
“I’ve coached leaders through boardroom conflict, career transitions, crisis communication, you name it,” she says. “But the principles I use come from Rwanda. Listening deeply. Acting with intention. Staying grounded in integrity.”
Trabosh’s signature coaching style blends intuitive wisdom with practical strategies. She’s certified through the Center for Executive Coaching and holds multiple other certifications. Her clients range from entrepreneurs to executives, but all share one thing in common: a desire to live and lead with purpose.
“Rwanda taught me how to hold pain and possibility at the same time,” she says. “That’s what I help my clients do, too.”
Rwanda’s Future, and the Power of Witnessing
Today, Rwanda stands as one of Africa’s safest and most forward-thinking nations. It offers free education through 12th grade, leads the world in female political representation, and has built a strong foundation for digital transformation.
“This is a story of redemption,” Trabosh says. “And it deserves to be seen, not just read about.”
Her tours are a sacred offering: not only to honor the Rwandan people, but to help others return home with a clearer sense of what matters most.
“This isn’t charity—it’s humanity,” she says. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. And I want us to go together.”
About Victoria Trabosh
Victoria Trabosh is a transformational coach, international speaker, and bestselling author. She is the creator of the AdFARsity™ framework, co-founder of the Itafari Foundation, and a certified executive coach with over 40 years of leadership experience. Learn more at www.victoriatrabosh.com. Tour information: https://rwanda2025.com/
