Obama Foundation Announces New Class of Scholars in Chicago and New York

June 18, 2019 at 9:00 AM CDT

NEW YORK AND CHICAGO—Today, the Obama Foundation announced its second cohort of Obama Foundation Scholars, 32 rising leaders from around the world who will study at the University of Chicago and Columbia University for the 2019-2020 academic year.

In service of the Foundation’s efforts to support the next generation of global leaders, the Obama Foundation Scholars program partners with UChicago and Columbia to combine academic learnings with one-of-a-kind experiences led by the Obama Foundation. The program’s aim is to empower emerging leaders with a proven commitment to service with the tools they need to make their efforts more effective and impactful upon their return home.

“The inaugural class of Scholars emerged more energized and capable of creating lasting change in their communities,” said Obama Foundation CEO David Simas. “They are one of the backbones of the Obama Foundation’s global ecosystem of young leaders, and we are inspired by the connections they have made and the work they will go on to do. We are eager to grow this international network of changemakers with our second cohort of Scholars.”

The 20 Obama Foundation Scholars at the University of Chicago will earn a Master of Arts degree focused on international development and policy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Outside the classroom, the UChicago Scholars will have the chance to participate in experiences throughout Chicago, including on the South Side where the Foundation is located and where President Obama got his start in community organizing. By engaging with the local community, students will have the opportunity to complement what they learn in the classroom and also to share and exchange perspectives on service and change with local Chicago leaders.

“We are delighted to welcome our second cohort of Scholars and grateful for the Obama Foundation’s support in ensuring that promising leaders from across the globe have access to the world-class education and leadership opportunities they need to achieve their ambitious goals,” said Katherine Baicker, Dean and Emmett Dedmon Professor, Harris Public Policy. “The Obama Foundation Scholars will enrich our vibrant community and bring diverse global perspectives to addressing the critical international development and policy questions facing the world.”

The 12 Obama Foundation Scholars at Columbia University will participate in Columbia World Projects, an initiative in which students, faculty, and researchers from Columbia partner with governments, nonprofits, the private sector, and intergovernmental organizations to use university research to create tangible solutions to real-world issues. The cohort at Columbia will participate in a rigorous, immersive program that brings together academic, skills-based, and experiential learning, designed by the university in consultation with the Obama Foundation.

“This program captures the essence of why Columbia University is such an inspiring institution,” said Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger. “The Obama Foundation Scholars already have dedicated their lives to civic-minded projects that are helping to address problems in different regions around the globe. The academic year they will spend on campus is designed to strengthen their impact, individually and collectively—while the Scholars’ larger-than-life presence will enhance the experience of every member of our community. In just one short year, the Obama Foundation Scholars program has come to embody the essence of a global university located in New York City.”

The Obama Foundation Scholars program was launched in 2018. The inaugural class of Scholars recently graduated, having studied a core graduate curriculum supplemented with Obama Foundation sponsored leadership programming. The Scholars developed, with the guidance of the Obama Foundation, an action plan and approach that they are now taking back to their home regions to scale up their work and reinvest in their communities.

The 2019-2020 Scholars are actively working to solve a diverse array of challenges, including:

To learn more about the Obama Foundation Scholars program and the 2019-2020 cohort, please visit obama.org/programs/scholars. A list of the second class of Scholars can be found below.

Researcher, Mwatana for Human Rights

Defending human rights through the documentation of violations against civilians and conducting advocacy efforts locally and internationally to shed light on the conflict in Yemen.

Senior Software Engineer, Andela

Encouraging the growth of technology and innovation in Africa by providing pathways for youth to learn software development skills.

Former Minister of Environment and Member of Parliament

Working across political and geographic divides to foster collaboration around concrete actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, for a more equal, just, and green future for all.

Director of the Occupied Palestinian Territories Department, Physicians for Human Rights, Israel

Advocating for health care access for Palestinian patients who need to leave Gaza and the West Bank for treatment and educating groups around the barriers in the current permit system.

Film Director and Producer

Using film to expose pressing social issues and support the freedom of expression and collaboration for positive social change in Cuba.

Director for Community Organizations, National Youth Institute, Ministry of Health and Social Development

Developing youth-centered public policy focused on social inclusion, health and rights, culture, and employability so that young people are empowered to define their own goals and reach their full potential.

Director of Operations, Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation

Fostering collaboration between stakeholders and government on the implementation of policies related to Sorcery Accusation Related Violence.

Human Rights Researcher

Working with civil society organizations and families of missing persons to enhance their capacity to address the issue of the missing and promote an accountability process in Syria.

Co-founder and Programs Director, Hatua Network Organization

Promoting equal opportunity in Kenya by providing promising low-income students with scholarships, mentoring, and career guidance that prepares them for careers and to serve as a link between their community and professional networks.

Founder and Executive Director, Women Peace Network

Founder, Yangon Youth Leadership CenterEmpowering young people and women from marginalized communities through programming and that builds peace and mutual understanding among diverse groups in Myanmar.

Co-founder and Project Director, HACEY Health Initiative

Leveraging an innovative capacity building, advocacy, research and education (iCARE) approach to implement solutions and drive accountability to create a healthy and productive society for women and girls.

Co-founder, Makesense.org

On a mission to engage millions of citizens to solve the global goals through community organizing and technology solutions.

Project Manager, Practical Action

Enhancing community resilience and environmental sustainability through advocacy for livelihood improvement of vulnerable populations, technology, inclusive policymaking, and partnerships between stakeholders and government.

Co-Founder and Media Coordinator, Anataban

Providing a platform for youth civic engagement, advocacy, and empowerment for the betterment of South Sudan.

Health Systems Analyst, ThinkWell

Using multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to achieve better health outcomes at local levels.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary of Cultural Development, Ministry of Culture

Expanding educational and cultural opportunities for disadvantaged communities throughout Mexico.

Executive Director, The Millennials Movement

Promoting people’s engagement in the local sustainable development process of their own communities through education, community action, and “glocal” citizen diplomacy.

Former Head of Government Policy, The Economic Development Authority for Minorities in the Ministry for Social Equality

Using leadership development and economic empowerment as tools to strengthen disadvantaged populations to achieve equal representation.

Founder and Director, Sozo Networks for Leadership Development

Creating and leading formidable networks of young Nigerian social change leaders by discovering, coaching, and connecting them to local and international opportunities.

Advisor, Georgia Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance

Enhancing the efficiency of the Georgia Revenue Service by coordinating the implementation of high-profile projects in cooperation with international and donor organizations and researching international best practices.

Program Associate, Higherlife Foundation

Fostering multi-sectoral collaboration for improved access to water and sanitation and the creation of healthy and productive communities.

Former Advisor, Director of Competitiveness, Presidency of the Republic of Colombia

Promoting a competitive and productive economy through valuable public-private partnerships that address public problems and meet public needs.

Advisor to the Vice Minister of Construction and Sanitation, Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Sanitation

Working to close the water and sanitation gap by empowering rural communities and local governments with technical assistance and technology.

Senior Program Officer, The Asia Foundation

Contributing to Cambodia’s development by supporting the economic empowerment of women and youth and promoting evidence-based policy decisions.

Enabling the design and adoption of disruptive data and tech innovations to amplify the impact of development organizations and grassroots workers.

Research Associate, National Assembly of Pakistan

Informing better policy and political consensus on issues of urgent importance by leading research, advocacy, and workshops in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Operation Director, Zhitong Guangzhou LGBT Center

Advocating to make public resources more friendly and inclusive to LGBTQ people in China.

Policy Analyst, Royal Hashemite Court

Enabling policy change and reform through research and analysis, taking into consideration field trends and existing policies.

Manager, Digital Learning Research & Innovation Team, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University

Widening access to education for youth in marginalized areas, promoting technology research and innovation through student engagement, and collaborating with government and industry leads to propose technology solutions to complex problems.

Director, Office of Senator Bam Aquino

Pushing for evidence-based policymaking around entrepreneurship and youth development while utilizing design thinking to aid in policy implementation in the Philippines.

Former Special Advisor to the Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil

Promoting renewable energy and innovation to lead Brazil’s transition to a low-carbon economy that boosts affordable clean energy, entrepreneurship, quality employment, and economic growth for all.

Head of Business Impact, Sentbe

Producing rigorous evidence that will inform policymakers and businesses by making remittance services and remittance-linked financial products accessible to all migrants in the world and their families.

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Contact: Laura Lucas Magnuson, [email protected]