Rizma Butt, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of 1 Million Teachers (1MT) and 1MT Cares, is a passionate advocate for human capacity development and community upliftment. With a strong background in social entrepreneurship, Rizma is dedicated to empowering educators and providing inclusive education, particularly in underserved regions across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Her expertise in building cross-functional and cross-continental partnerships has led to transformative educational initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges, such as the teacher shortage and gender inequality.

Rizma holds a Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University, and she continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at both Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. In these roles, she fosters entrepreneurial mindsets and empowers aspiring minds to think creatively about solutions to real-world challenges. Rizma’s leadership extends to her work with NGOs in Pakistan, where she has collaborated to provide free education to underprivileged children, further cementing her commitment to access and equity in education.

As a social entrepreneur, Rizma thrives on collaboration. She has worked with renowned partners such as HP, Girl Rising, UNESCO, and UNICEF to design and implement innovative solutions that tackle critical social challenges. Notably, her work on the HP Mentor a Teacher Program, which focuses on gender equity, digital literacy, and leadership development, is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of education.

Rizma’s leadership also extends to her role as Operations Manager for the MSII SDG Initiative, a movement initiated by His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II to address the educational crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. Through this initiative, she promotes Quality Education (SDG 4) and Gender Equality (SDG 5) by empowering teachers to become grassroots changemakers in their communities.

A champion of women’s empowerment, Rizma’s inspiration stems from her own upbringing, particularly the influence of her mother, who instilled in her the importance of education and financial independence for women. This personal mission drives Rizma’s work at 1MT, where she is committed to elevating the role of teachers as community leaders, advocates for girls’ education, and