Leaders Program stories

From big milestones at the Obama Presidential Center to global leadership and community impact, 2025 was a year of meaningful progress.

Explore Obama Leaders letters of thanks and the relationships that continue to inspire their work today.

José Patiño is doing the work to serve immigrants—from helping them afford college to ensuring they get due process.

John Taukave draws on Rotuman stories to guide Pacific climate leadership and inspire communities globally.

Hear from Obama Leaders on how they're turning what scares them into fuel for change.

President Barack Obama says it’s easy to dismantle norms that ensure the rule of law, but progress takes generations to build.

President Obama discussed the rise of authoritarianism with three alumni of The Obama Foundation’s leadership programs from Poland and Hungary.

How a child's plea for peace changed this Obama Leader's life

Climate changemakers share their journeys to driving global change and shaping a sustainable future.

Learn how Charles Klaikaew uses his skills to help one of Thailand’s most overlooked communities gain a voice at the decision-making table.

Vladyslava Kravchenko tells her story of inspiration and hope through her love of sports.

To commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, we spoke with 2024-2025 Obama Leader and two-time Paralympian Vladyslava Kravchenko, a driving force in Malta’s Para sports.

Obama Leadership Alumni, William Smith-Stubbs, tackles mental health, online hate, and societal division through bold campaigns and inclusive dialogue.

Jibreel Jalloh, a passionate civic leader and community organizer from Canarsie, Brooklyn, shares his challenges of addressing gun violence and environmental issues.

Take a look at a few Obama leaders fighting for racial equality across the country.

Obama Leaders are championing LGBTQIA+ rights, not just in celebration, but in action.

From Chicago to Nairobi, fathers and mentors share how parenting deepened their leadership and strengthened their communities.

After losing her sister, Tammy Darcy launched The Shona Project to uplift Irish girls with support and mentorship.

Han Pham is building connection, visibility, and civic engagement through her community-led work with Badass Asian Women.

Kamala Avila-Salmon shares how inclusive storytelling drives cultural change, uplifts diverse voices, and fosters deeper human connection.

This Earth Day, learn from two of our Leaders who are working every day to protect the one planet we’ve got!

Each year, The Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum brings together leaders, activists, and changemakers to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy today.

These Obama Leaders alumni are giving back, mentoring new cohorts, and proving that leadership doesn’t end—it evolves.

Leaders from across Asia-Pacific gathered in Bangkok to share insights, grow skills, and foster collaboration within the Obama Leadership Network.

Discover how Royal Ramey’s Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program transforms lives, trains firefighters, and combats California’s wildfire crisis.

A 5-step guide to embracing pluralism, fostering connection, and engaging inclusively this holiday season.

Learn how Filip Koprčina is using blockchain to democratize renewable energy through co-ownership of solar and wind farms.

This World Food Day, we're shining a spotlight on two Africa Leaders fostering food security in innovative ways.

Three of the Obama Foundation's global programs launched new cohorts in 2024. Learn more about these programs and how you can support our Leaders, Scholars, and Voyagers.

More than 140,000 women across 155 countries have educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, thanks to the 2023 Obama Leaders.

Find out how the 2023 cohort created a non-profit committed to a sustainable future for Africa, one entrepreneur at a time.

Ahead of her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, hear how one Obama Leader leverages the power of music to educate, entertain, and heal her community.

We marked the fifth anniversary of the Leaders program where it all began.

Meet an Obama Leader supporting Virginians in need.

Meet 2023 United States Obama Leader Ryan Pavel, veteran, and CEO of Warrior-Scholar Project.