What Does Tostan Do?

Total employees429
HeadquartersThiès
Founded1991

Tostan is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) whose mission is to empower communities to develop and achieve their vision for the future and inspire large-scale movements leading to dignity for all. Founded in 1991 by Molly Melching, Tostan (meaning 'breakthrough' in Wolof) implements a holistic, three-year nonformal education program in local languages, known as the Community Empowerment Program (CEP). This program covers topics such as human rights, democracy, health, hygiene, literacy, numeracy, and project management skills. Tostan's approach is renowned for its success in facilitating community-led abandonment of harmful practices like female genital cutting (FGC) and child marriage, and promoting positive social change across thousands of communities in Africa.

Where Is Tostan's Headquarters?

Tostan officeTostan officeTostan officeTostan office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

The Thiès headquarters serves as the central hub for Tostan's global operations, including program design and strategy, curriculum development, training of trainers, monitoring and evaluation, research, financial management, and international coordination of country programs.

Notable Features:

While specific architectural details are not widely publicized, the headquarters is a functional space designed to support Tostan's mission. It likely includes offices, meeting rooms, and training facilities, potentially incorporating local design elements and art that reflect West African culture and Tostan's community-focused values.

Work Culture:

The work culture at Tostan's headquarters is characterized by collaboration, dedication to the mission, deep respect for diverse cultures, and a strong emphasis on learning and participatory approaches. Staff are often multilingual and come from diverse backgrounds, united by a commitment to community-led positive change.

HQ Significance:

This headquarters is significant as the nerve center for an organization that has pioneered a globally recognized model for community empowerment and human rights education, impacting millions of lives and influencing development practices worldwide.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters likely reflects Tostan's core values such as respect, learning, collaboration, sustainability, and community well-being through its operational practices, internal culture, and engagement with partners and communities.

Location:

Tostan directly implements its Community Empowerment Program (CEP) in six West African countries: Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, The Gambia, and Mauritania. Beyond these core countries, Tostan's global presence is extended through its 'partnering' strategy, where it shares its successful model and provides training to other organizations and governments in various African nations (e.g., Somalia, Djibouti, Burkina Faso) and even beyond the continent. Functions supported globally include direct program implementation, capacity building for partner organizations, dissemination of research and learning, and international advocacy for human rights, community-led development, and the abandonment of harmful practices. Tostan actively participates in global forums and collaborates with international bodies to influence policy and promote its approach.

Street Address:

Quartier Route de Dakar, Face Immeuble KAWSARA, BP 293

City:

Thiès

State/Province:

Thiès Region

Country:

Senegal

Where Else Does Tostan Operate Around the World?

Washington, D.C., USA

Address: Tostan, Inc. 1101 14th St NW, Suite 320, Washington, D.C. 20005, USA

To mobilize resources, build awareness, and foster partnerships with international donors, foundations, government agencies, and individuals to support Tostan's community empowerment initiatives.

Conakry, Guinea (Example National Office)

Address: Specific street address varies; typically located in the capital city for national coordination.

To manage and implement Tostan's programs at the national and local levels, adapt curriculum to the local context, train facilitators, build partnerships with local government and civil society, and monitor program impact within the specific country.

Bamako, Mali (Example National Office)

Address: Specific street address varies; typically located in the capital city for national coordination.

Overseeing the Community Empowerment Program in Mali, adapting it to local socio-cultural contexts, and working with communities and authorities to promote human rights and sustainable development.

Buying Intent Signals for Tostan

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Tostan? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Tostan' leadership includes:

Elena Bonometti - Chief Executive Officer
Molly Melching - Founder & Creative Advisor
Gannon Gillespie - Chief Advancement Officer
Mouhamadou Amadou Mbodj - Director of Finance and Administration
Abdoulaye Séga Diallo - Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)
Khalilou Ndiaye - Director of Program Implementation

Who's Investing in Tostan?

Tostan has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Wallace Global Fund
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)
Luminate
Greenbaum Foundation
Echidna Giving
Many individual donors and private foundations

What Leadership Changes Has Tostan Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

Information regarding specific executive new hires or departures at Tostan within the last 12 months is not widely publicized, as is common for many NGOs. Tostan generally maintains a stable leadership team focused on its long-term mission. Any major changes are typically communicated through official organizational channels.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byTostan?

Discover the tools Tostan uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Tostan Email Formats and Examples

Tostan likely uses a common professional email format for its staff. Based on standard practices for organizations of its type, emails would typically combine a staff member's name with the @tostan.org domain.

[firstinitial][lastname]@tostan.org or [firstname][lastname]@tostan.org

Format

ebonometti@tostan.org (example for Elena Bonometti)

Example

80%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Tostan?

Fast CompanyMarch 19, 2024

Tostan named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024

Tostan was recognized in the NGO category of Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies for its impactful work in community-led development and human rights education, particularly its model for ending harmful practices like child marriage and female genital cutting....more

Tostan.orgNovember 1, 2023

Tostan Joins the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) as a New Partner

Tostan announced its new partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), aiming to leverage Tostan's grassroots, human rights-based approach to education to advance shared goals of quality learning and community well-being....more

Tostan.org (News Section)July 26, 2023

New Publication: Tostan’s Approach to Shifting Social Norms: Evidence from Senegal

Tostan highlighted a new publication detailing evidence of its approach to shifting social norms in Senegal, showcasing the effectiveness of its Community Empowerment Program in fostering positive, community-led change....more

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