Our Founder & CEO
Maimouna Doumbia is an incoming freshman at Syracuse University, majoring in Policy Studies at Maxwell School of Public Affairs. A Bronx visionary, community leader, activist, and mentor, Maimouna founded RISE with the values of uplift and empowerment. Through Maimouna’s personal experiences with school suspensions and the school-to-prison pipeline, she has channeled a passion for restorative justice and professional development for young women into personal and collective action. In 2025, Maimouna was awarded the Riley’s Way Foundation’s National Call for Kindness Fellowship for her proposal that granted RISE $5,000 to create its first Empowerment Week in April of 2026. Maimouna continues to advocate for youth development through restorative justice.
Team
Dinah Boateng
Executive Director and Operations Manager
Dinah Boateng serves as the Executive Director and Operations Manager at RISE. Through her distinguished service as the Founder of DischargeMe and Aurentra Institute of Excellence, education, networking, and the development of business and corporate acumen, she aims to help them rise beyond their current circumstances and step confidently into their full potential. Her passion lies in guiding young women as they learn to navigate professional spaces with purpose, resilience, and belief in their own power.
Soumaou Doumbia
Chair of Communications and Community Engagement
Soumaou is a senior at Syracuse University, majoring in Public Health, and serves as the Chair of Communications and Community Engagement. As a dedicated member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she is passionate about providing and strengthening adequate resources in the community. Soumaou leads outreach initiatives, manages communications, and helps coordinate events that promote engagement, inclusivity, and impact. Through her work, she is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and advancing community well-being.
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