Leaders Program

An eight-month values-based leadership program for 24 to 45-year-old changemakers across the public, civil, and private sectors.
How To Become A Leader
The Obama Leaders Program has a program annually. Applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States may apply in November of the preceding year to join the program. Leaders must be between the ages of 24-45 during their time in the program.
How to Apply
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what we do

What We Do/The Mission

We bring together cohorts of global leaders with various viewpoints and engage participants in exploring the challenges, opportunities, and skills needed to create positive change. We provide the tools and the community necessary to turn a shared commitment into a lifetime of impactful service.
Explore Values-Based Leadership
how leaders work

How Leaders Works

The Obama Foundation Leaders program supports changemakers from the public, private sector and civil society to deepen their impact, explore values-based leadership, and drive lasting change at the systems level. Through virtual group sessions, collaborative peer-led spaces, and individualized coaching, participants build a values-driven foundation for sustained leadership.
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Explore Leaders By Region

  • Africa

    Leaders Africa is a six-month, virtual leadership development program that seeks to build a growing network of innovative and values-based changemakers who will drive positive change in their communities, the continent, and the world.

    Meet The Leaders

  • Asia-Pacific

    Leaders Asia-Pacific is a six-month, virtual leadership development program that seeks to ground emerging leaders in a values-based leadership framework to advance inclusive and lasting change in their communities, in the Asia-Pacific region, and across the world.

    Meet The Leaders

  • Europe

    Leaders Europe is a six-month, virtual leadership development program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders to advance inclusive and lasting change in their communities, throughout Europe, and across the world.

    Meet The Leaders

  • United States/North America

    The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program is a six-month, virtual leadership development program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders across the country.

    Meet The Leaders
Obama Foundation Leaders USA program participants, all have a range of ages, backgrounds, and light to dark skin tones, put their hands together for a cheer in front of the Obama Presidential Center campus during a South Side tour of Chicago on April 5, 2025.

Support Our Leaders Program

Your support is an investment in our collective future. By donating today, you help us keep the torch burning for leaders who will shape a more just world for generations to come.

Become a Member

“ I stopped leading from my expertise, and started leading from my humanity. The shift from advocacy to coaching, from telling to asking, from performing competence to practicing presence — that is the real transformation. I now walk into rooms with less certainty and more curiosity.”

–2025–2026 Leader

The Impact Of Our Leaders Program

93% of Leaders agree they are capable of navigating moments of productive intellectual tension at the conclusion of the program. 96% of Leaders agree they can clearly identify the core values that guide their leadership as a result of the program. 90% of Leaders agree they feel confident about their role in the social change system they are a part of.

Stories of Our Leaders

More Stories From Our Leaders
Han Pham

Han Pham

Pham is building connection, visibility, and civic engagement through her community-led work with Badass Asian Women.
Learn more
William Smith-Stubbs Headshot

William Smith-Stubbs

Smith-Stubbs tackles mental health, online hate, and societal division through bold campaigns and inclusive dialogue.
Learn more
José Patiño

José Patiño

Patiño is doing the work to serve immigrants—from helping them afford college to ensuring they get due process
Learn more
More Stories From Our Leaders

Could you be the next Leader?

Find out when applications open by signing up for Obama Foundation emails (all fields required).
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Two Black women with deep skin tones sit next to one another and laugh. One woman is wearing a blue coat and the other is wearing a yellow coat, glasses, and red lipstick.

Obama Leadership Network

Get to know previous Obama program participants and graduates continuing to lead in their communities.

Meet the alumni