Rotary Melbourne welcomed and inducted Getrude (Trudy) Matshe on 27 November 2024 with the classification Social Entrepreneur - Business & Systems Analyst.
Getrude Matshe is an international speaker, celebrated author, and serial social entrepreneur known for her vibrant energy and passion for empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. Originally from Zimbabwe, Getrude immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 and has since founded multiple successful ventures, including the HerStory Circle, a global platform dedicated to amplifying women's voices and stories.
Her career spans over a decade in IT as a systems analyst and project manager before transitioning to social entrepreneurship. Getrude’s ventures include the DiversityConnector App, MySpeechh App, and Simzisani Ltd, a talent agency involved in films such as Avatar and King Kong. As the CEO of the Africa Alive Education Foundation, she supports orphans affected by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, blending her philanthropic efforts with her entrepreneurial drive.
A prolific writer, Getrude is also a book-writing coach and an accomplished storyteller featured in TEDx talks, films, and international conferences, including the UN Annual Summit on the Status of Women. Her accolades include being a Rooney International Scholar and a Senior Cultural Ambassador for Diversity Atlas. Getrude actively volunteers for global initiatives like the John Fawcett Foundation and Global Camps Africa. She joined the Hutt Valley Rotary, Wellington New Zealand Club in 2004 and has been the president of an online South West USA club in 2022 – 2023.
Outside her professional life, Getrude is a mother of three, grandmother to one little boy, poet, and artist who believes in changing the world one story at a time. Her dynamic and inspirational persona continues to inspire people globally.
Trudy is a member of Central 1 Group.
