JOAN MNZAVA
Unite Scholars Program Manager & Lead Mentor
“Unite does more than support scholars; it creates space for young people to grow, believe in themselves, and become the best version of who they are meant to be.” - Joan
Joan, 30, is the oldest of two children born to her parents. She and her younger brother Peter were raised between Arusha and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. After completing lower-secondary school (Form 4), Joan enrolled in college in Iringa and in 2018 earned her Bachelor’s degree in community development.
Beginning higher education at 17 years old in a district so far from home presented significant challenges. In Iringa, an area with a high HIV prevalence, Joan faced emotional isolation, financial pressures, harassment, bullying, and unsafe environments, and other challenges commonly experienced by young female students living independently. Coming from a background where expectations for her academic success were low, Joan carried a strong sense of responsibility to prove her potential. Rather than feeling discouraged, these circumstances strengthened Joan’s resilience and commitment to personal growth. Through discipline and determination, she excelled academically and developed her passion for community development, sociology, and social work.
In 2018, Joan became involved with Unite through recruitment activities led by Program Director Anty Marche. Later that year, she met Unite Founder Anne Wells, board member Debbie Wiley, and advisor Josephine Brunoski, and Joan was hired as one of the organization’s first three professional mentors.
Today, more than 7 years later, Joan serves as the Unite Scholars Program Manager. She is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and implementation of the entire program. Her work includes supporting scholars’ academic progress and personal development, coordinating mentorship and training initiatives, managing program budgets and logistics, maintaining records and reports, and ensuring accountability across all program activities. Her role requires balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution, while maintaining close relationships with 100+ scholars to support their comprehensive success.
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“Joan leads with both strength and heart. She knows every scholar’s story, hopes, challenges, strengths, and dreams. She celebrates their victories and stands beside them when the road is hard, lovingly-yet-powerfully holding them to the highest standards. Her belief in their potential is steady and unwavering, and she models the integrity, resilience, and commitment to excellence we hope to see in each of them. I am deeply grateful for her leadership and the care she brings to our Unite family every single day.”
— Anne Wells, Unite Founder & Executive Director
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Joan’s journey with Unite has been shaped by both professional growth and personal loss. In March 2021, she lost her mother to COVID-19 after spending a week in the ICU. In 2024, her father also passed away. During these difficult periods, the Unite team and scholars provided consistent emotional and practical support, reinforcing the organization’s values of community, compassion, and solidarity.
Through her work with Unite, Joan has gained extensive experience in program coordination, event planning, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement. She has traveled to nearly every region of Tanzania through Unite activities and home visits. She even experienced her first airplane ride through work-related travel. (Joan is now a confident and seasoned flyer.)
In October 2025, Joan was honored with Unite’s most competitive and prestigious Exemplary Performance Recognition Award for her tireless hard work and commitment to excellence.
Joan draws strength from her faith, brother Peter, extended family members, and many beloved friends.
Joan with one of her 100+ mentees, Unite Scholar Asia Daudi.
Joan with Unite teammates (left to right): Richard Munisi, Hosiana Thomas, Anty Marche, Anne Wells, Clara Wilson Ngowi and Imani Faustine. June 2025