Liza joined Shooting Touch as Executive Director in December 2022, bringing nearly 20 years of leadership experience and a wealth of nonprofit management skills to the organization.
For the past 11 years, Liza has been the Executive Director of Camp Jabberwocky, a nonprofit residential summer camp for adults and kids with disabilities, held in Martha's Vineyard. During her time at Camp Jabberwocky, she created and executed two strategic plans, developed a tuition endowment making camp free for all campers and families, expanded programming to serve more beneficiaries, ran a successful $4.5 million dollar capital campaign, and managed a major campus renovation project.
Liza attended the University of Vermont, where she received her degree in Psychology, and later spent ten years at local Independent Schools in New England as a school administrator and then as a consultant, helping to create, grow, and expand institutional income outside of tuition and development.
As a Boston-area resident, Liza has been involved with Shooting Touch events and Galas over the years and has volunteered for the organization in Rwanda while visiting with the Noble & Greenough School in 2018. She also volunteers with Viamistad, an organization who supports overnight recreational camps for people with disabilities in Guatemala, as well as with Double H, a Paul Newman Camp for children with critical and terminal illnesses. Liza and her husband Alex have also been foster parents, supporting kids and families in the Boston area. Liza lives in Dedham, MA and is a mom to four.
LIZA GALLAGHER
Executive
Director
After 14 years serving as the Executive Director, Lindsey has transitioned into her new role as Chief Advancement Officer, where she is responsible for leading all development, fundraising and global strategy efforts for the organization. Under her leadership, Shooting Touch has grown from a small grassroots basketball program in Boston into an international sport-for-development organization impacting well over 50,000 youth and women since inception. She has raised over $6.5M for the organization, secured global speaking engagements, press exposure and various NPO awards, deeply advocating for Shooting Touch’s work at every turn.
After an international 10-year career in public relations and real estate marketing, Lindsey realized her career path needed to pivot to be able to utilize her passion to help others through the power of sport and its ability to make life-changing impacts within underserved communities. As a two-time mother and marathoner, Lindsey played Division I lacrosse at the University of Vermont where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Nutrition.
LINDSEY KITTREDGE
Chief Advancement Officer
& Co-Founder
Ugo graduated with bachelors in Sociology & Political Science from Wagner College before going on to complete a masters in Globalization & Development Communications from Temple University. Ugo had an extensive career as a basketball player, competing at the collegiate level, professionally overseas in Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Turkey, Mali, and Angola, and for the Nigerian National Team in 2017, where she was a part of the historic team that went undefeated and beat Senegal to win the Afrobasket Championship. It was her experience with the National Team - where she created lifelong bonds with her fellow Nigerian-American teammates - that opened her eyes to basketball’s unique ability to bring different people together, serve as a platform for change, and create opportunities for those who aren't as fortunate.
Following her playing career, Ugo shifted into coaching and basketball operations, first holding the position of Director of Basketball Operations position for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team (2018-2019), then serving as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the women's basketball teams at Brown University (2021-2023) and Northeastern University (2023-2024).
She joined Shooting Touch in 2024 as the Director of Domestic Programming & Strategy, combining her passions for basketball, people, authentic relationships, and lasting impact. Building on her experiences as a player and coach, Ugo brings a wealth of experience and passion to the program, while offering valuable guidance and mentorship to Shooting Touch Boston’s youth athlete-beneficiaries.
UGO NWAIGWE - HIRSCHMAN
Director of Domestic Programming & Strategy
Chloe graduated with a degree in Sports Medicine from Merrimack College in 2015. Chloe was not only a standout basketball player for her school, but an exceptional student and leader on campus. One of Chloe's many strengths is her ability to connect with others, and she used that skills to start her own "Humans of Merrimack" (mimicking the “Human of New York” platform) which served as a safe space for students to divulge personal narratives. She interviewed over 150 individuals, all while running the platform anonymously. It was no surprise when Chloe was chosen to give the commencement speech at her graduation.
Upon graduating, Chloe played professional basketball in Israel for one season. After the season, she spent time volunteering with refugees in Greece. There, she realized that playing basketball was not enough to fulfill her passion of making a difference in the world.
Chloe returned to Boston, where she met with ST’s co-founder, Lindsey Kittredge, to talk about the Rwanda fellowship, and was later selected as one of the fellows for the 2016/2017 year. Chloe made an immediate impact by leading the expansion of the women's and girls program and is a crowd favorite both on and off the court.
As a result of her prodigious performance as a fellow, Chloe moved into the role of In-Country Program Director in Rwanda, and later became the organization’s Director of Programming, overseeing all programmatic work in Boston and Rwanda.
CHLOE ROTHMAN
Director of International Programming & Strategy
After completing her undergraduate studies in Uganda (International Business), Christelle was one of fifteen “Young Rwanda Leaders” selected to receive the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellowship, taking part in a six-week leadership and networking course in the US. With a strong interest in female empowerment, Christelle created a local Rwandan NGO, using music and art therapy to help young girls deal with the emotional aftermath of trauma. With a Masters Degree in International Development Management from the University of Bradford (UK),
Christelle's role with Shooting Touch involves management of all staff, fellows, and partnerships, overseeing and reporting on all programmatic activity, conducting and analyzing all monitoring and evaluation methods, and assisting in grants and expansion projects.
Prior to Shooting Touch, Christelle worked for World Vision Rwanda on a USDA-funded educational project and World Relief Rwanda on a UNICEF-funded program to combat childhood malnutrition.
CHRISTELLE UMUHOZA
Rwanda In-Country
Program Director
Sam attended UC Santa Barbara, where he earned a degree in communication and a certificate in sport management while gaining experience in sport marketing and athletic event management. During his senior year, Sam studied abroad at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, focusing on Media and African Studies and interning with a local nonprofit working in the townships surrounding Cape Town.
Sam returned to California and spent three years working at the Santa Barbara Foundation, supporting the organization with marketing and communications, public relations, development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Combining his passions for sport, philanthropy, and Africa, Sam joined Shooting Touch in 2022 as the Director of Marketing & Development Fellow in Rwanda. After a successful eight month Fellowship that oversaw significant growth of the Rwanda Program, he was brought back to serve as ST’s Communications & Development Manager.
In his current role, Sam splits time between the US and Rwanda, where he leads the organization’s strategic communications, storytelling, and public relations efforts. He also helps manage existing partnerships and cultivate new relationships with global partners, funders, and donors.
SAM WATERSTONE
Director of
Communications
Vinh has been with Shooting Touch Boston since February of 2018. As the Director of Basketball Operations for Shooting Touch Boston, he handles all things basketball for ST’s AAU teams and Shooting Touch University (STU) program.
Prior to joining Shooting Touch, Vinh spent over a decade at the Dorchester Youth Collaborative, working closely with urban youth in high-crime areas of the city, using sports and workshops as a deterrent for crime. He has also coached basketball coach for many years, starting from the grassroots ranks at neighborhood community centers. In 2016, as an assistant coach for the boys program at New Mission High School, Vinh’s team won the MIAA state championship and have since won two Boston City League championships. He is currently an assistant girls basketball coach at Noble and Greenough School.
VINH BUI
Director of Basketball
Operations (Boston)
Benjamin Tuyishimire's journey began at the University of Rwanda, where he conducted research on intergenerational trauma transmission in Rwanda and studied pedagogies of peace and conflict in the Great Lakes region. After graduating, he interned at the former National Commission for Children, gaining practical experience in working with vulnerable populations. He furthered his impact by collaborating with local NGOs such as the Rwanda Down Syndrome Organisation and the Rwandan Society of Human Genetics, providing crucial education and psychosocial support to affected families.
Benjamin's contributions extended globally through consultancy work with international NGOs like the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), where he worked on projects related to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and HERA in collaboration with Enabel, contributing to maternal, child, adolescent, and sexual and reproductive health projects. Additionally, his involvement with AHA addressed treatment barriers for rare diseases, while his work with the Education Consultancy Bureau and Humanity and Inclusion targeted mental health and psychosocial support in refugee camps. He also worked with the organization Purpose Rwanda, supporting targeted drug and addiction education programs throughout the country. Additionally, he gained teaching experience within the University of Rwanda’s Clinical Psychology Department, deepening his research and understanding of human behaviors.
In February 2024, Benjamin joined Shooting Touch, continuing his mission to transform lives using a holistic approach. At Shooting Touch, he focuses on program monitoring and evaluation, with an emphasis on addressing the interconnectedness of physical health, mental well-being, and social factors. Through his diverse experiences and collaborations, Benjamin remains dedicated to advancing access to sports, promoting gender equality, and creating meaningful change for individuals and communities worldwide.
BENJAMIN TUYISHIMIRE
Health Monitoring &
Evaluation Officer (Rwanda)
CONTACT US
For all inquiries, please contact us at hello@shootingtouch.com.
Denise graduated with a degree in Journalism and Communication, Social Studies from the University of Rwanda in 2014. During her high school and university studies, she consistently played high-level basketball, including representing Rwanda in the U18 National Basketball Team in 2012. She went on to play in the Rwanda Basketball League for 6 years, showcasing her talent and passion for the sport.
After a successful internship with the Rwanda Basketball League Federation in 2013, she became the 1st official Public Relations Officer of the league in 2015. Her communication skills played a vital role in attracting basketball enthusiasts to the courts and creating a vibrant atmosphere with increased fan attendance. Due to her dedication and hard work, sponsors started showing interest in the league after three years, strengthening the organization’s financial standing.
Denise was selected to serve as Assistant Manager of the Federation’s International Basketball Foundation (IBF) basketball project, a 3-year basketball development pilot program. In this new role, she collaborated with coaches in the Western and Southern provinces of Rwanda, contributing to the development of basketball in the regions.
Denise decided to switch her career to focus on mentorship for girls and women, joining the nonprofit program Global GLOW in Rwinkwavu Sector, Kayonza. During her time there, she also volunteered as a Shooting Touch coaching assistant and served as a public relations consultant for major Shooting Touch events, leveraging her sports and media expertise to empower others.
In early 2023, Denise took on the role of Communication Officer for the local APR Basketball club, before joining Shooting Touch full-time in August as Community Engagement Coordinator in Kayonza.
Denise's guiding values of mentorship, respect, discipline, and embracing change demonstrate her commitment to creating a positive impact in the community.
DENISE UWASE
Community Engagement Coordinator (Kayonza, Rwanda)