Lama Mugabo — Bridging Stories, Building Communities

Lama Mugabo is a visionary community planner, educator, and storyteller who transforms the power of narrative into a tool for sustainable development and social change.

A proud graduate of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Lama has deep roots in British Columbia and an unwavering commitment to connecting communities across continents. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts in Planning from the University of British Columbia, bringing together academic insight and lived experience to inspire action and collaboration.

In 2008, Lama returned to his birthplace—Rwanda—to help rebuild a nation rising from the ashes of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Working with agriculture students and international volunteers, he spearheaded community development initiatives that advanced food security, nutrition, and wellness. What began as a small initiative grew into a global collaboration, engaging more than 600 volunteers from Canada, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Kenya, Colombia, and Burundi.

Back in Vancouver, Lama co-founded the Hogan’s Alley Society, an organization dedicated to reclaiming and revitalizing the city’s historic Black neighborhood displaced by urban renewal in 1972. Today, Hogan’s Alley stands as a beacon of rebirth, resilience, and cultural pride, thanks in part to Lama’s leadership and vision for an inclusive, equitable city.

Invite Lama Mugabo as a keynote speaker to ignite your event with powerful storytelling and actionable insights. His presentations weave together lessons from Rwanda’s transformation, African diaspora leadership, and community-driven innovation—showing how homegrown solutions and shared humanity can pave the way for a more sustainable and compassionate world.