Meet Tondi

Hello! Thanks for coming to my site. I wanted this to be slightly different than a typical bio: I wanted to share some facets of me.

I was born in Zambia, in southern Africa, and spent my childhood across three countries. I attended school in Ndola, Zambia; Montreal, Canada; and Northern Virginia, in the United States.

I carry my Congolese and Zambian heritage with deep pride. As a child, I was trilingual speaking English, Bemba, and Chewa. When I was a baby, my father wrote me a song in Chewa titled “Mtondela Akondwera,” which translates to “Mtondela is happy.” You guessed it: Tondi is short for Mtondela, a name my great aunt struggled to define before stating it meant “people mover: one who influences and knows how to get her way.”

The word kondwera, meaning unshakable joy, has become my personal compass. It reflects joy not as a fleeting emotion, but as a state rooted in resilience, in hope, and in the courage to be fully alive.

I channel this spirit through my personal blog, Kondwera, where I explore the fullness of my journey, speak some hard truths, and honor the beauty of embracing every facet of who I am. Like the beads on my favorite necklace, which I bought while in the Netherlands, each piece is necessary to create a beautiful whole.

Purpose-Driven

As an immigrant and, truly, because of my late mum, Josephine, I am passionate about causes that further human rights, poverty alleviation, and the empowerment of the disenfranchised. This is seen in my ardent advocacy for neurodivergent people, in which I encourage empathy and honoring each other as whole, deserving people.

I am especially dedicated to supporting fellow survivors of domestic violence. In college, as a member of Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity Inc., I was honored to advocate for survivors and help raise funds and awareness around this important issue. In 2018, after almost walking away from my doctoral studies before I even began because of doubt, I founded Ph.enomenally D.etermined™, a platform to mentor and coach women, especially those leaving unsafe homes, encouraging them to pursue their educational and professional dreams with courage and confidence. Based on my own experience, I speak often and openly on the importance of razing what does not serve us and rising.

My dedication to service and others is rooted in my Christian faith (Matthew 22:37-40). I also believe that a life well-lived is one that is colorful: embracing the ups and downs and one in which a person uses their unique gifts and lessons learned to make the world better, kinder, and safer for all.

Human-Centered Strategist

I am an organizational psychologist and trusted thought partner known for my expertise in shaping the culture for more resilient organizations. I bring over a decade of developing data-driven, people-centered strategies and delivering operational excellence across the federal government and private sector. I previously led award-winning, large-scale transformation efforts within multinational enterprises, including Emmes, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and the MITRE Corporation. Additionally, I have won multiple awards for delivering impactful solutions for clients, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.

I lead with verve and say the hard things, while bringing tact and steady clarity to chaos. I am known for my ability to spot patterns and unite people around necessary goals. When challenges feel complex or ambiguous, I am able to build strategically and reframe the path forward.

With a passion for sharing knowledge, I recently launched FACETS and FLUX on Substack and write on how organizations can and must develop their resilience capabilities in our increasingly dynamic world. I detail how best to integrate systems thinking, foresight, and human-centered strategies to proactively navigate uncertainty with integrity and sustain organizational competitive advantage.

Ye Olde Letter Collector

I earned my doctorate in Business Psychology with a consulting focus from The Chicago School. I was deeply honored to join the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, named for Bouchet, the first-ever African American doctoral graduate, who earned his PhD in physics from Yale University in 1876. The Bouchet Society recognizes distinguished scholarship and a deep commitment to service.

I also hold an MBA from the Marist School of Management and a master’s degree in communication from Marist University.

I completed my undergraduate studies in history and psychology at The College of William & Mary in just three years, all while also serving as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Williamsburg, cheering on the Tribe as a member of the W&M varsity cheerleading team, working alongside my Alpha Chi Omega sisters on philanthropic initiatives, and interning on Capitol Hill.

Human

I am a proud Trekkie and unapologetic nerd who believes curiosity and life-long learning are superpowers. I play chess well and the violin less so. The fun is in the learning and laughter.

I am a huge music lover known for having the right song for every moment. My all-time favorite song is “Live High” by Jason Mraz, which encourages us to live expansively and “celebrate the malleable realities.” I love reading, traveling, and writing everything from songs to blogs… and eventually, books! Je suis une petite rêveuse. I am ever the dreamer, envisioning the possible.

In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights, hosting dinner parties, throwing over-the-top children’s birthday parties, or catching sunrises and sunsets.

What you should really know from this very “me” bio is that my favorite title is and will forever be “Mommy.” I love my little one so much, and I’m so proud of him.

I live in Washington, D.C. with my family, which includes our spirited dog, “Paw” Newman, and a betta fish whose name changes often (as all good fish names should).