Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Moriah Market LLC
Location: ME/USA
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, University of Kigali; Diploma, Local High School, Congo (2007)
Career History: Chief Executive Officer, Moriah Market LLC; With, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities, including the Poland Center for Assisted Living, Poland; Direct Support Professional, Facilities for People with Mental Illnesses; Work Experience, Hospitality Sector (Hotels)
Lucie Narukundo, Chief Executive Officer at Moriah Market LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of retail.
Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ms. Narukundo earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Kigali in Rwanda. She and her family ultimately immigrated to the United States after being granted asylum as refugees fleeing war-torn Rwanda. In the face of language barriers and cultural differences, she gained work experience in the hospitality sector across hotels, served as a Direct Support Professional at mental health facilities, and was active in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including at the Poland Center for Assisted Living.
Since 2017, she and her husband, Budederi Boniface, have owned and operated Moriah Market in Portland, Maine. This community-based beauty shop offers a wide selection of goods and products available across Sub-Saharan African countries, including African grocery store items. Primarily working behind the counter, she prides herself in building strong relationships with clients—who have since come to value her as much as she values them—and advocating for many immigrants in the area who are navigating the process of building their own businesses. She believes it’s essential to guide them, offering insights into the American business landscape by demonstrating available opportunities and equipping them with the knowledge to succeed in their new environment. Her ability to speak 14 languages has also been instrumental in her success as a businesswoman and as a community leader.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Narukundo recently acquired a new store on Mellen Street in Portland, which she plans to utilize as a dedicated grocery store that will be in operation by 2025. She also wishes to establish an organization whose proceeds would support the welfare of orphans and widows, as well as provide significant care for terminally ill individuals; these aspirations are very dear to her and she’s determined to turn them into reality. Outside of her primary professional endeavors, she strives to continue the volunteer work that she does at the hospital for immigrant groups and for those in need.