Richard Tusabe’s Board Journey

VAB member Richard Tusabe was recently appointed as an independent NED (non-executive director) at I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. Below he shares some insights on his professional transformation and his path to this new governance role.

What started you on your path to your new role – a network referral, a board role facilitator organisation/head-hunter, another route?

My appointment to this role was initiated through a professional referral.This milestone reflects a professional journey spanning more than twenty-five years of service in public finance, revenue administration, social security governance and corporate leadership. I was inspired to pursue this particular board seat based on my steadfast commitment to institutional integrity, sound governance and the belief that strong financial systems are foundational to sustainable economic transformation.

How impactful was your network in helping you successfully complete the board hiring process? Where did they provide assistance – document production, interview prep, due diligence?

I would say my network was very impactful. For me, this appointment affirms the importance of continuous learning and trusted leadership networks like Virtual Advisory Board (VAB).  As part of the community since July 2025, I believe that the VAB activities I have been involved in have shown the value of reflective leadership, peer exchange and principled decision-making at the highest levels of governance. I believe my VAB interactions have delivered necessary intellectual capital, dialogues and shared purpose that will continue to enrich my boardroom contributions.

What strength or qualification helped pull you over the finish line? Is there a specific skill or experience that made you stand out among others in the candidate pool?

Here, I would flag my experience in fiscal management, investment oversight and institutional transformation. I believe these skills are part of the reason I was chosen to join the board and will help me support effective board stewardship, strategic oversight and sustainable growth at I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc.

What features of the business or elements in the board structure made you want to take on the role, e.g., a specific career challenge, strong values alignment, learning opportunities, something else?

I&M Bank Rwanda occupies a vital position within Rwanda’s financial sector, supporting enterprise growth, financial inclusion and national development priorities. Joining its Board is, for me, both a privilege and a profound responsibility. I am inspired by the Bank’s strategic ambition, disciplined governance framework and its commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders.