Biography
Biography
Suma Stephen Mwaitenda is a Tanzanian Quantity Surveyor, Academic, Arbitrator, and development leader passionate about youth empowerment, women’s advancement, and sports development. With over a decade of multidisciplinary experience spanning construction, entrepreneurship, and social impact, she is widely recognized for her dynamic leadership and commitment to inclusive growth.
She currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer at Ardhi University in the School of Architecture, Construction Economics, and Management, where she mentors the next generation of professionals in construction management and project controls. She is also pursuing a PhD in Construction Management at the University of Johannesburg, with a research focus on health and safety in the construction industry.
Suma served as Director of the ‘Fursa Entrepreneurship Platform’, a nationally celebrated initiative that empowered thousands of Tanzanian youth and women through entrepreneurship training. She traveled to every region in Tanzania, delivering live televised seminars broadcast on Clouds TV, YouTube, and other digital platforms. These events reached over 3 million viewers annually, attracting 500 to 1,000 participants per region.
Beyond academia and entrepreneurship, Suma is a passionate advocate for gender equity in sports. She founded the ‘Uhuru Women’s Club (UWC), a nonprofit organization that champions women’s economic empowerment, leadership, and community engagement through sports. Her leadership extends across national platforms as Vice President of the Tanzania Institute of Quantity Surveying (TIQS), a board member of the Contractors Registration Board (CRB), and an Executive Member of the Tanzania Olympic Committee.
She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Management with a specialization in Project Management from the University of Dar es Salaam, and an Executive Master’s in Sports Organisation Management (MEMOS) from the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Suma’s work continues to bridge education, innovation, sports, and advocacy, driving lasting impact and empowering communities across Tanzania.