Naomi Henigin

2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Headshot of Naomi Henigin, 2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Colonel, United States Air Force

Hampton, Virginia

Naomi Henigin is a U.S. air force colonel and senior commander with the United States Air Force, where she has led operations supporting over 145,000 personnel across military installations and national security systems. Over her 27 years of service, she has overseen organizations of more than 2,300 personnel; strengthened complex institutions, including overhauling the Air Force’s officer evaluation system; achieved a one-third reduction in local childcare waitlists; and helped shape enterprise-wide human resources and readiness policy at the Pentagon. Naomi has led complex coalitions through crises with trust and accountability, including her role as Humanitarian Operations Center Director at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and moved refugees safely while navigating institutional and cultural differences.

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Meet the 2026-2027 United States Leaders

Adrian Lipscombe thumbnail

Adrian Lipscombe

Austin, Texas
Ahmed Badr thumbnail

Ahmed Badr

Madison, Connecticut
Alejandro Miranda thumbnail

Alejandro Miranda

Madison, Wisconsin
Allie Utley thumbnail

Allie Utley

Overland Park, Kansas
Amanda Swope thumbnail

Amanda Swope

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Amara Manoogian thumbnail

Amara Manoogian

Washington, District of Columbia
Angelica Salinas thumbnail

Angelica Salinas

Oak Creek, Colorado
Berto Aguayo thumbnail

Berto Aguayo

Chicago, Illinois
Caroline Hutton thumbnail

Caroline Hutton

Washington, District of Columbia
Chastity Bowick thumbnail

Chastity Bowick

Columbus, Ohio
Deja Foxx thumbnail

Deja Foxx

Tucson, Arizona
Elizabeth Toba Pearlman thumbnail

Elizabeth "Toba" Pearlman

Chicago, Illinois
Erin Wilson thumbnail

Erin Wilson

Alexandria, Virginia
Jade Begay, Diné and Tesuque Pueblo thumbnail

Jade Begay, Diné and Tesuque Pueblo

Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jahnavi Rao thumbnail

Jahnavi Rao

Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Jamila Trimuel thumbnail

Jamila Trimuel

Chicago, Illinois
Jenna Cargile thumbnail

Jenna Cargile

Clarksville, Tennessee
Joshua JP Peters thumbnail

Joshua “JP” Peters

Chicago, Illinois
Joshua Manske thumbnail

Joshua Manske

Algona, Iowa
Juan Diego JD Mazuera Arias thumbnail

Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias

Charlotte, North Carolina
Keaton Sunchild thumbnail

Keaton Sunchild

Great Falls, Montana
Kellyn King thumbnail

Kellyn King

Simi Valley, California
Khalil Thompson thumbnail

Khalil Thompson

Washington, District of Columbia
Landon-Mascareñaz thumbnail

Landon Mascareñaz

Denver, Colorado
Larissa Larz May thumbnail

Larissa “Larz” May

San Francisco, California
Laura Grannemann thumbnail

Laura Grannemann

Detroit, Michigan
Laura Restrepo thumbnail

Laura Restrepo

Horsham, Pennsylvania
Lauren Click thumbnail

Lauren Click

Phoenix, Arizona
Lonnie Scott thumbnail

Lonnie Scott

Gainesville, Florida
Lucas Schleusener thumbnail

Lucas Schleusener

Washington, District of Columbia
María José Ramírez Braíz thumbnail

María José Ramírez Braíz

St. Joseph, Missouri
Mary Margo Franz thumbnail

Mary “Margo” Franz

Seattle, Washington
Matt Hildreth thumbnail

Matt Hildreth

Key Center, Washington
Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte thumbnail

Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte

Los Angeles, California
Ora Nitkin-Kaner thumbnail

Ora Nitkin-Kaner

New Orleans, Louisiana
Oren Jacobson thumbnail

Oren Jacobson

Northbrook, Illinois
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More about the Leaders Program

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Leaders

For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.

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  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water terrace to honor Ann Dunham will feature Maya Lin sculpture
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Terrace at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
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  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
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  • Watch
  • Barack Obama
Watch: President Obama shares the vision of the presidential center
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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