Tawanda Chirenda: Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator & Business Growth Coach.
Practical insights for business owners navigating growth.
Hire Tawanda to deliver engaging, thought-provoking, and practical presentations on leadership, business growth, decision-making, and the realities of growing a small business.
Tawanda Chirenda is the Founder of Becoming a Willing Student®, a business growth coaching and advisory practice supporting small business owners who are already in business and navigating the complexities of growth.
A keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and business growth coach, Tawanda helps audiences explore the practical challenges that often emerge as businesses grow - leadership pressure, strategic decision-making, team development, performance expectations, adaptability, and sustainable growth.
Known for his thoughtful storytelling, authenticity, and practical insights, Tawanda combines lived experience, research, and real-world business lessons to help audiences think differently about growth and leadership.
His core message is simple:
Growth becomes more sustainable when business owners learn how to lead through complexity rather than simply work harder.
Speaking Topics
Tawanda speaks on topics including:
Leadership and Decision-Making
Navigating Growth-Stage Business Challenges
Building Resilient Businesses
Team Development and Leadership
Performance, Learning, and Adaptability
Customer Relationships and Business Growth
The Becoming a Willing Student® Philosophy
Professional Background
Throughout his career, Tawanda has worked across business development, corporate engagement, leadership development, and entrepreneurship support.
His experience includes working with startups, business owners, corporate leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community-building initiatives, helping individuals and organizations strengthen leadership, improve engagement, and navigate growth.
Prior to founding Becoming a Willing Student®, Tawanda founded and led The Willing Student Company and iSustain Africa, supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking sustainable growth and long-term impact.
He has also held leadership roles with organizations including World Vision Canada, Do Some Good, Imagine Canada, and Rise, where he worked at the intersection of business growth, community engagement, leadership, and organizational development.
About Tawanda
Tawanda believes the most effective business owners are not those who claim to know everything.
They are the ones willing to keep learning.
This belief became the foundation for Becoming a Willing Student® and continues to shape his work with business owners, leaders, and organizations today.
His presentations challenge audiences to think more clearly, lead more effectively, and navigate growth with greater confidence and adaptability.
Tawanda holds an MA in Sustainable Development from Staffordshire University and a BSc in Psychology from the University of Zimbabwe.
Born and raised in Marondera, Zimbabwe, he now lives in Toronto, Canada.
Popular Speaking Topics
How Growth Changes Leadership
The Hidden Cost of Performance Pressure
Why Business Owners Need Perspective
Building a More Resilient Business
Becoming a Willing Student: Learning Through Growth
The Leadership Challenges Nobody Warns Business Owners About
Interested in booking Tawanda for a keynote, workshop, leadership session, or business event?
Let's start a conversation.