About Us - BOOST

Who We Are

BOOST (Building Opportunities On Sustainable Talent) is a youth empowerment and development organization advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, employability, digital transformation and climate resilience in Zimbabwe. We design and scale solutions that empower adolescents and young people to move from learning to earning, while strengthening the systems, partnerships and ecosystems that enable inclusive and sustainable development.

Through innovation hubs, enterprise support, skills development and strategic partnerships, BOOST works at the intersection of youth potential and opportunity, equipping young people to create jobs, solve community challenges and lead in future economies.

Our work is driven by a vision of youth-led inclusive economic growth, climate resilience and innovation-driven development, ensuring no young person and no community is left behind.

Our History

Building Opportunities On Sustainable Talent (BOOST), formerly known as The BOOST Fellowship Trust, was co-founded on 28 April 2000 by Lena Zamchiya and Mubuso Zamchiya with a bold vision to transform how young Africans see themselves and their capacity to influence the world. From its inception, BOOST has been committed to preparing young people for lives of purpose, leadership and innovation by equipping them with the skills, mindset and opportunities needed to thrive beyond school.

Founded on the belief that young people are not passive recipients of development but powerful agents of change, BOOST pioneered innovative youth development models in Zimbabwe—introducing business readiness programmes, entrepreneurship challenges and case study competitions that exposed university students to real-world business problems, mentorship and industry immersion. These early initiatives helped young people strengthen life skills, solve social and environmental challenges, and develop entrepreneurial solutions with practical market relevance.

BOOST's legacy is deeply rooted in the global student entrepreneurship movement through Enactus (formerly SIFE), where Lena Zamchiya served as Regional Vice-President for Africa. This connection positioned BOOST at the forefront of youth enterprise development, linking Zimbabwean students to national and global innovation ecosystems, leadership platforms and business networks.

Over the years, BOOST expanded its work from student leadership and entrepreneurship into broader youth employability, climate action, digital transformation and innovation systems development. Through innovation challenges, social innovation hubs, enterprise incubation and strategic partnerships, the organization has continued to evolve in response to the changing needs of young people and the future of work.

Today, BOOST stands as one of Zimbabwe's leading youth innovation and enterprise platforms—building pathways from learning to earning, strengthening youth-led solutions, and creating opportunities for inclusive economic growth, climate resilience and sustainable development. Its journey reflects over two decades of investing in young people as leaders, innovators and drivers of change.

Vision, Mission & Values

Our Vision

A future where every young person has the power, skills and opportunity to shape inclusive economies, drive innovation, build resilient communities and create sustainable solutions for generations to come.

Our Mission

To unlock youth potential by building pathways for skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership, equipping young people to thrive in a changing world, create opportunities for themselves and others and lead transformative impact in their communities.

Our Values

Youth Agency

Young people are at the center of everything we do—as leaders, creators and changemakers.

Integrity

We act with honesty, fairness and purpose in all our decisions and actions.

Inclusivity

We create opportunities for every young person, especially those too often left behind.

Collaboration

We believe partnerships and collective action create greater opportunities and lasting impact.

Sustainability

We build solutions that strengthen people, communities and systems for the future.

Accountability

We uphold transparency, responsibility and trust in everything we do.

Strategic Positioning

BOOST is a youth empowerment and development organisation that equips young people with the skills, networks and opportunities to transition from learning to earning and participate meaningfully in future economies.

Operating at the intersection of youth employment, enterprise development, climate resilience, digital transformation and innovation, BOOST designs and scales practical solutions that address structural barriers to economic inclusion while strengthening local systems, markets and institutions.

Through innovation hubs, enterprise acceleration and public-private-youth partnerships, BOOST connects young people to jobs, finance, markets and policy influence, creating sustainable pathways for livelihoods, green growth and future-ready work.

BOOST's strategic positioning is rooted in one ambition: to unlock youth potential as a driver of inclusive economic growth, resilient communities and sustainable development.

Governance & Leadership

At BOOST, strong governance and visionary leadership are the foundation of our impact. Our governance framework ensures accountability, transparency and responsible stewardship, while our leadership team drives innovation, partnerships and strategic growth to create sustainable opportunities for young people.

Governance

BOOST is governed by an independent Board Members that provides strategic direction, fiduciary oversight and institutional accountability. The Board safeguards the organization's mission, ensures compliance with legal and regulatory standards, and strengthens long-term sustainability through sound governance and risk management.

Supported by dedicated governance committees, including Finance, Audit, Risk and Safeguarding—BOOST maintains strong systems for oversight, integrity and operational excellence.

Board of Directors

Executive Leadership

Our Executive Leadership Team provides strategic and operational leadership across programmes, partnerships, finance and organizational development. With a focus on youth-centered innovation, employability and systems change, the team ensures that BOOST remains adaptive, future-focused and responsive to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Meet the Team

Advisory & Ecosystem Leadership

BOOST works alongside a growing network of strategic advisors, youth leaders, industry experts and institutional partners who strengthen our thinking, expand our networks and shape our ecosystem approach. This collaborative leadership model ensures our work remains relevant, innovative and grounded in real-world opportunities.

Our Governance Commitments

Accountability – Delivering impact with responsibility and measurable results
Transparency – Upholding openness in decision-making and resource management
Safeguarding – Protecting the rights, dignity and wellbeing of young people
Financial Stewardship – Managing resources with integrity and value for money
Risk Management – Building resilience through proactive oversight
Youth Representation – Ensuring young voices shape decisions and solutions
Sustainability – Strengthening systems and institutions for long-term impact

Together, our governance and leadership structures position BOOST as a trusted, credible and future-ready institution committed to unlocking youth potential at scale.