Ruguiato Balde is a project assistant at an award-winning Guinea-Bissauan non-governmental organization that contributes to inclusive and sustainable development based on conserving natural and cultural resources for present and future generations. She is direct assistant to the managing director and is responsible for assisting in identifying, formulating, and elaborating projects and supervising the implementation of key activities in the communities her organization works with. Ruguiato works closely with women in rural communities as an advocate for their rights, and believes that the only way to achieve truly sustainable development is by including women and youth in decision-making. In her free time, Ruguiato teaches English lessons to children and teenagers in her hometown. Ruguiato graduated with a degree in Tourism and Business Management from London South Bank University and worked for more than 10 years in the hospitality industry before changing her career to the development field. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, she plans to establish the first ecologically-focused tourism and hospitality school in Guinea-Bissau, which will promote local products and culture as well as youth entrepreneurship.