Open to opportunities

Niyo Max

@niyomax

Message

Digital transformation and strategy leader building ethical brands and change for mission-driven organizations.

Rwanda

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead or advise mission-driven organizations on digital transformation—combining strategy, communication, and change management to strengthen stakeholder alignment, ethical growth, and measurable operational impact.

I’m a digital transformation and strategy professional with over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology, communication, organizational development, and cultural context. I help mission-driven teams turn complex realities into clear digital direction, stakeholder alignment, and change that lasts.

As Founder & Chief Executive Officer of GAKONDO INC LTD, I lead strategic planning and execution across digital presence, communication systems, branding, partnerships, and operations. I manage multidisciplinary collaborators, translate mission and values into practical workflows, and embed ethical, inclusive, and sustainability-focused decision-making to strengthen long-term resilience.

I’ve also supported international development work as a Brand Strategist for JICA, contributing to messaging, visual identity, and communication approaches aligned with development objectives. Earlier in my career, I helped shape the brand strategy of an international digital platform and delivered group-level brand architecture for a corporate portfolio—experiences that sharpened my ability to coordinate across cultures and distributed stakeholders.

Before that, I founded and directed Weadd Ltd as a creative and branding consultancy, and I built technical foundations through systems and network administration and IT tutoring. My background is reinforced by certifications including Foundations of Cybersecurity, Managing Security Risks, and Foundations of Project Management—so I approach transformation with both creative clarity and operational discipline.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Current

GAKONDO Inc Ltd

Nov 2020 - Present (5 years 7 months)

Founded and led a culture-led organization, defining and executing organizational strategy spanning digital presence, communication systems, and internal workflows. Directed multidisciplinary teams and partner engagement to ensure consistent messaging, mission alignment, and operational delivery.

Digital Transformation Organizational Change Digital Communication Stakeholder Engagement Project Planning Partnership Management Team Leadership

Founder & Creative Director

Weadd Ltd

Oct 2012 - Oct 2017 (5 years)

Founded and led a creative and branding consultancy delivering brand positioning, communication strategy, and visual identity services across sectors. Managed project delivery and client relationships, mentored junior creatives, and translated client goals into clear communication outputs.

Creative Direction Positioning Communication Strategy Visual Identity Design Client Management Project Planning Mentoring

IT Tutor

Tumba College of Technology

Jan 2009 - Jan 2011 (2 years)

Delivered instruction in IT fundamentals through hands-on training and mentorship. Supported students with structured technical learning and capacity-building by communicating systems concepts clearly.

IT Tutoring Technical Training Mentorship Systems Capacity Building Technical Communication

Brand Strategist (Consultant)

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Jan 2018 - Present (8 years 5 months)

Provided brand and communication strategy support within a donor-funded development context, strengthening initiative visibility and stakeholder engagement. Contributed to messaging, visual identity, and communication approaches aligned with development objectives using design thinking principles.

Brand Strategy Communication Strategy Visual Identity Stakeholder Engagement Design Thinking

Brand Strategist (Startup Phase)

HeySuccess

Jan 2013 - Present (13 years 5 months)

Shaped early brand positioning and strategic narrative for an international digital platform connecting young people to global opportunities and programs. Supported brand identity definition and messaging direction to guide early audience engagement with a globally distributed team.

Positioning Strategic Narratives Brand Identity Remote Collaboration Audience Engagement

Brand Strategist (Group-Level)

Ngali Holdings

Jan 2012 - Present (14 years 5 months)

Led group-level brand strategy and identity development across multiple subsidiaries during organizational growth. Developed brand architecture, messaging frameworks, and visual identity systems to ensure coherence, differentiation, and alignment with the group vision.

Brand Strategy Brand Architecture Messaging Frameworks Visual Identity Identity Governance