Newsletter Feature

https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/40_under_forty/fisto-ndayishimiye/article_164f8618-c460-11ee-b35c-e39af126b225.html

When the New Hampshire Union Leader announced its annual 40 Under Forty list of community leaders, one of the honorees stood as a symbol of resilience, vision, and the power of youth leadership: Fisto Ndayishimiye, also known as Fiston Mututsi. At just twenty-six years old, Fisto’s recognition was not only a celebration of his accomplishments but also a testament to his dedication to building a stronger, more inclusive community in Concord and across New Hampshire.

Fisto’s journey to this recognition did not begin in positions of privilege or comfort. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he experienced firsthand the challenges of growing up in a region where access to education and opportunity was limited. His life took a transformative turn in December 2016, when he resettled as a refugee in the United States. What could have been a story of survival alone became instead a story of service and purpose. Fisto chose not only to rebuild his life in New Hampshire but to dedicate that life to ensuring that others, especially youth, immigrants, and marginalized communities, could thrive alongside him.

His path of service has been consistent and intentional. While attending Concord High School and later NHTI–Concord’s Community College, Fisto developed a reputation as someone who saw leadership not as a title but as an opportunity to help others grow. This philosophy carried him into his role as Lead Organizer for Change for Concord, a youth-led initiative supported by the American Friends Service Committee. In that role, he organized leadership events, community dialogues, and advocacy campaigns that gave young people the tools to participate fully in civic life. He worked to amplify the voices of New Americans, BIPOC residents, and low-income families so that their perspectives would be heard by policymakers and local leaders.

The Union Leader’s profile of Fisto illuminated the motivations behind his work. He explained that his life as a refugee instilled in him a sense of responsibility, a belief that if he had been given the opportunity to make a new home in the United States, it was his duty to give back to the community

that welcomed him. This commitment, he says, comes from his conviction that communities are only as strong as the connections between people, and that young leaders must be at the forefront of building those bridges.

The recognition also offered him a chance to reflect on his journey. Asked what advice he would give to his 22-year-old self, Fisto shared a lesson that resonates with many: focus less on chasing comfort or distractions, and more on discovering your true potential and purpose. For him, real fulfillment comes from work that uplifts others, even when it requires sacrifice or stepping into uncomfortable spaces. This advice is not theoretical; it is the very principle that has guided his advocacy, whether organizing forums in Concord, mentoring youth through the Young Adults Development Network, or lobbying in Washington, D.C. alongside the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

Looking ahead, Fisto also used the opportunity to articulate a vision for New Hampshire. To attract and retain young professionals, he argues, the state must do more than celebrate their presence — it must invest in them. That means improving access to quality education, creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, expanding affordable housing, and developing cultural and recreational spaces that make young people feel at home. It also means building safer infrastructure for transportation and ensuring that New Hampshire grows in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and future-focused. His vision is practical, grounded not in politics but in lived experience, and it speaks to the realities of the generation he represents.

Despite his international roots, Fisto sees his long-term future firmly planted in New Hampshire. He has already begun the process of putting down permanent roots in Concord, including working toward purchasing a home. His dream is to create a secure and welcoming environment not only for his family but for the wider community. He believes that by strengthening Concord and New Hampshire, he will also create a foundation for broader contributions, extending his leadership beyond the state while remaining deeply rooted in it.

Fisto’s recognition as one of New Hampshire’s 40 Under Forty also shines a light on the many ways he gives back outside of his professional roles. He serves in his church community as a musician, contributes to media and storytelling efforts through his work with Concord TV and Project S.T.O.R.Y., and collaborates with initiatives such as Emerging Leaders Konnection (ELK) and One Concord. Each of these roles reflects his belief that true leadership is expressed not only in public achievements but in small, consistent acts of service that strengthen the social fabric.

Graduating from the Leadership Greater Concord Class of 2023 was a recent milestone, but his recognition as one of the state’s leading young professionals is a reminder that his journey is still just beginning. For Fisto, these honors are not endpoints but affirmations, proof that the values he lives by resonate with others, and encouragement to continue pursuing the work of empowering youth, building inclusive communities, and advocating for justice.

What makes Fisto’s story so compelling is not only the challenges he has overcome but the way he has transformed them into opportunities to lead. His path from refugee to recognized community leader is not framed as an individual success alone; it is an invitation to others to see what is possible when we commit ourselves to service, integrity, and vision.

As New Hampshire looks toward its future, leaders like Fisto Ndayishimiye remind us that real change begins with those who are willing to listen, to build, and to lead with purpose. His recognition as one of the 40 Under Forty is not just an honor for him personally, it is a sign of the kind of leadership that can guide communities through times of uncertainty and into a future defined by unity and possibility.