Our Leadership Programming
In 2022, we made significant strides toward expanding our global network of leaders.
Elizabeth Williams
“Before receiving the 2022 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, I’d never been on a plane or left Michigan. I’m currently doing my Summer Voyage in Copenhagen, Denmark—interning at BLOXHUB, the Nordic hub for sustainable urbanization, studying how built and natural environments impact people and vice versa.
I hope to redesign American cities in ways that are equitable, financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable. I’m studying Environmental Studies and Sustainability with a minor in Economics at Northern Michigan University.
The Voyager Scholarship gave me and 99 of my peers financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand our horizons, a network of mentors and leaders to support us, a $10,000 stipend, and free Airbnb housing to pursue a six-week summer work-travel experience.”
Get to know the inaugural class
Meet the 2022 - 2024 Voyagers
Meet the Voyagers
A Closer Look: Stories of Connection
Our leadership programs allow changemakers from around the world to connect and collaborate so they can make an even bigger difference in their communities.
Take Lineo Matlakala and Demeatreas Whatley, who participated in the Obama Foundation Scholars program at Columbia University and the University of Chicago.
The Scholars program gives rising leaders the opportunity to take their work in their community to the next level through an immersive leadership and academic curriculum. Lineo and Demeatreas are from different continents, but their work focuses on breaking cycles of violence in their hometowns.
Since graduating from the program, their collaboration has helped them make a greater impact in their communities. Demeatreas launched a program, Men on the Rise, to provide community-centered, evidence-based mentoring for at-risk youth in three Chicago neighborhoods. Soon after, Lineo's organization, the Barali Foundation, launched its own version of the program: Men on the Rise Lesotho, which provides social support structures for young men and boys. Lineo and Demeatreas continue to stay in touch as they refine and expand their initiatives in Chicago and Lesotho, respectively.
Hope in Action
Members of the Leaders program, which connects cohorts of regional changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities and throughout their region, are already doing incredible work to bring our hope to action values to life. These changemakers hail from over 100 countries and territories and work on a wide range of issues, but they have all found connection, support, and inspiration from their fellow Leaders.
Confidence Staveley, Africa
Confidence Staveley has already reached millions of Nigerians to inform them about cybersecurity hygiene. As the founder and executive director of CyberSafe Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving inclusive and safe digital access in Africa, she believes that Africans should not only have access to technology but should also be equipped with cyber risk and mitigation strategies. Confidence recently facilitated CyberSafe’s collaboration with the UK Government to implement a cybersecurity intervention in response to the heightened cyber attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Landisang Kotaro, Asia-Pacific
Global Program participants got the chance to connect across cohorts and programs at our Democracy Forum event. The Forum was a transformative experience for many Global Programs participants, as they networked with their peers and heard from inspirational speakers like 2022 Obama Leader Landisang (Landi) Kotaro. Landi, who was a part of the Asia-Pacific cohort, is the chief of staff at the Office of the President of the Republic of Palau—the youngest person and first woman to serve in this role. During the Forum, she shared her passion about steering Palau through the challenges of being a new democracy and her commitment to being a part of continued change.
Payzee Mahmod, Europe
One of the 2022 Leaders in the Europe cohort, Payzee Mahmod is also creating meaningful change for her community. Payzee works with a charity that provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls living in the UK who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing all forms of “honor” based abuse like forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and domestic abuse. Payzee was named the 2021 UK Parliament Volunteer of the Year for her advocacy work, and she received special recognition at the UN Women UK Awards 2020.
A Closer Look: They Said This Day Would Never Come
On January 3, 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama won the Iowa caucuses—a historic victory that shocked the political establishment and ultimately set him on the road to the White House. To mark the formative moment, President Obama sat down with six former organizers to reflect on the experience and how they’ve continued to make change in the 15 years since.
Take a look