Rhona Sinamtwa is an aspiring ESG consultant, social entrepreneur, and impact-driven strategist passionate about sustainability in all its dimensions—business, fashion, and social innovation. With a strong foundation in research, strategy, and impact measurement, she is committed to driving meaningful change at the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Currently, Rhona serves as the Career Development Director at LEagler, where she is helping shape the mentorship program to support newcomers in their professional and social integration. As an Onyx Scholar, she has developed the skills and resilience needed to navigate corporate spaces as a Black student, advocating for greater inclusivity and representation. Additionally, in her role with the Black Students Alumni Alberta Association’s program team, she works to strengthen alumni connections beyond university, fostering long-term professional and community engagement.
Her work is driven by a deep commitment to sustainability, strategy, and innovation—building systems that create lasting impact across industries.
In this interview we chatted with Rhona, also 2020 ELITE Program alumni, about where she is now, how programs like the ELITE Program helped her get here, and what she plans to do next.
Can you tell me about your ELITE Program internship and what you took away from the experience?
I was taking environmental science at the time at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. There was one professor, Professor Glynnis Hood, that I had the privilege of learning from, I took most of my environmental courses with Professor Hood. She was incredibly supportive throughout my academic journey, and in the summer of 2020, when I expressed my interest in gaining transferable skills, she introduced me to the ELITE Program.
She not only encouraged me to explore the program but also told me about a placement opportunity under her supervision, which I eagerly selected. Our research focused on semi-aquatic mammals around Miquelon Lake, and we also conducted fieldwork in Elk Island National Park. She wanted to gather geographic data and assess the environmental impact of these mammals, using data to support her research. For me, this experience was an incredible introduction to field research and provided hands-on exposure to environmental data collection and analysis. Through this work, I was also able to connect with another professor studying forest vegetation affected by specific insect infestations. This led to a research trip to British Columbia, where we investigated the impact of these infestations on local ecosystems. The ELITE Program truly expanded my academic and professional horizons, connecting me with professors, research opportunities, and field experiences that ultimately solidified my passion for environmental science and sustainability.
What program are you currently in and what’s your field of study?
I’m currently doing a masters in environmental sustainability at the University of Ottawa in the co-op stream. In undergrad, I started with a technical background, but then I realized that I wanted to see how private industry and corporate settings are accountable in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. I wanted to see the impact because corporations have an impact on communities via the projects they carry out while the timelines in government tend to be a bit longer depending on the progress of a project or what you’re trying to execute.
I see myself getting more into the consultancy space within the field but also leveraging the private sector to create impact that trickles down. I see myself doing that in Canada but also back home (Tanzania).
What interests you about this field of study and at what point did you realize you wanted to pursue it?
When I was younger, I just loved the outdoors. I generally just have an interest in the outdoors. In high-school I took some higher-level science courses but I wanted to have a comprehensive education that blended all my interests, so I went to speak to my counsellor who mentioned the option of environmental science. So, I started looking into programs.
Another aspect that fed into why I wanted to get into the environment or some aspect of it is because back home waste management is not the best. The systems are getting better now, but the environment we have is so beautiful. But sometimes when something is close, you don’t understand the value.
A year before I was born, my parents experienced a flood, El Nino. I wanted to understand the different mechanisms that make these things happen. It was definitely a move of God in combination with these factors and then eventually after my undergrad it solidified. There’s a business case for the environment.
What role have mentors played in your trajectory?
My professors were instrumental in guiding me to understand what I wanted to pursue. The Onyx Initiative has taken that a step further, allowing me to connect with individuals across different sectors and empowering me to build my confidence and recognize the value I bring to the table.
As an international student, entering a new space can be overwhelming, and it's easy to feel like you might lose your voice. But Onyx reinforced the idea that we're not all the same — we don't need to accept everything that comes our way. Instead, we should pursue opportunities that align with our strengths and offer us real value. Once you understand your value, you're not begging for opportunities or asking for permission; you're leveraging your unique skills in a value exchange. The coaches are incredible — they provide guidance on anything, and they really hold me accountable, which has been key to my growth.
Do you feel well represented in environmental science and what has your experience been as a Black woman in this area of study?
The answer is no, but I’m trying to change that slowly. In undergrad and grad school, it would have been nice to see more representation of people like me, but that experience pushed me to seek out more opportunities and create my own space. Sustainability is such a broad field, and there are countless ways to get involved. Many individuals from marginalized communities have long been the ones shaping environmental science and sustainability because they often understand the issues these fields aim to address.
As I’ve moved forward, I’ve seen the landscape shift, with more organizations valuing the perspectives of minority and marginalized communities in the sustainability space. That's why I’ve consciously sought out and participated in these organizations, including those that recognize the importance of diverse voices and are working to ensure more equitable representation in this field.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self about how to navigate post-secondary and your career aspirations?
Do more public speaking and embrace the discomfort that comes with it. As you grow and enter new spaces, it's crucial to define who you are and what you stand for. Speaking up and getting involved in things you're passionate about opens doors and fosters growth. Visibility for the right things is key—it helps people understand what you're about, connect with you, and build meaningful relationships based on your authentic self.
How have internships and extracurricular activities shaped your post-secondary experience?
They’ve helped me to understand my value, allowed me to think beyond traditional career trajectories. Something that I’ve learned is that one conversation can change your life. Treating people with respect, having a normal conversation and you’ll be surprised. I think ELITE gave me the opportunity to see aspects of entrepreneurship. And that’s also close to my heart. I see myself getting into social entrepreneurship. I have no idea what that will look like yet, but having that opportunity, hearing people’s stories of starting a company and having mentors was really insightful. I think the two pieces of really knowing your value and the non-conventional route have been huge.
What’s been your biggest professional or educational challenge and how did you handle it?
Saying no. Prioritization over productivity. Set priorities, it helps you understand what actually defines your value. I personally realize that it’s not the number of things that I’m involved in, it's rather the quality of things that produce from the things I do. It’s important to spread your net wide and understand what it is you want to get into. But once you understand that it’s about managing priorities and knowing when to say no, especially when you’re starting off. This for now and then maybe that for later. And it trickles down, that’s when you can fill other people’s cups.
What are some of the things you like to do outside of school to fill up your own cup?
What fills my cup is being part of the choir at church—it brings me so much joy. My relationship with God grounds me, especially knowing that regardless of circumstances, all things are working for my good. I find peace in that assurance, as well as in my quiet morning time and meditation on scripture. I also find peace in spending time in nature. Time with friends and family is incredibly fulfilling, and I love helping people whenever I can.
What kind of work do you see yourself doing in the next 5-10 years?
I'm working on building the rapport to enter the freelance consulting space—I want the flexibility to move and grow. Social entrepreneurship and freelance consulting are key parts of that vision, and ultimately, I want to drive meaningful change. Home, Tanzania, is a huge part of who I am, so I need to find a way to give back, and that's where social entrepreneurship comes in. I’m not sure exactly when or how it will unfold, but I’m confident it will. I’m also passionate about investor relations, especially in bridging the gap between wherever I am and home. So yes, social entrepreneurship and consultancy are definitely part of my future, along with fashion—I love fashion! There are so many possibilities, and with the grace of God at work in me, the goal is to be great at what I do and make a real impact.
As someone working in the sustainability and environmental space, do you feel hopeful for the future?
I believe hope is what you make of it. I’m going to hold onto my hope and look for opportunities in every situation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or exhausted, but things can change—or may still change. For example, if sustainability is your passion, even when everyone else is focused on business cases, you can find a way to make sustainability a business case too. The key is to find opportunities in everything and stay committed to your hope.