A woman with braided hair, holding a microphone, standing in front of a large screen displaying a black and white photo of herself and the words "The Shine" in a circular logo, during a presentation or event.

From Rwanda to the World: A Story of Resilience, Dreams, Rebirth and hope.

Dydine Umunyana Anderson is a Rwandan-born author, speaker, and survivor whose work bridges cultures through the power of story. Her memoir, Embrace Life, and her global talks have reached audiences across continents — from university lecture halls to leadership conferences and international summits.

Growing up in post-genocide Rwanda, Dydine witnessed both the depths of loss and the strength of forgiveness. Today, she channels those lessons into her mission to help others heal, rebuild, and lead with empathy.

Over the past decade, she has spoken at TEDx Cornell, Google, the Museum of Tolerance, Harvard University, Facebook, and international institutions throughout Colombia and North America. Her storytelling is rooted in lived experience and universal truth — a call to remember our shared humanity.

Three people holding a framed art display, standing in front of colorful artwork on a purple wall, smiling at the camera.
Three women standing together and smiling in front of a blue backdrop with the University of San Diego logo and text. The woman on the left has blonde hair, glasses, and is wearing a black blazer with a red and black patterned dress. The woman in the middle has long brown hair, glasses, and is wearing a floral dress. The woman on the right has braided hair and is wearing a beige blazer with a colorful patterned dress. An American flag is partially visible on the left side of the image.
Three women at a celebration, one holding a bouquet of flowers and a microphone, smiling and engaging with two others.
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