Randy Wong

2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Headshot of Randy Wong, 2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader

President and CEO, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

Randy Wong is the president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, a nonprofit expanding equitable access to music education and youth leadership development across Hawaiʻi. Randy has led the Hawai’i Youth Symphony from a traditional audition-based youth orchestra to a statewide movement serving more than 11,000 students statewide, including over 3,100 enrolled youth across multiple islands and underserved communities over the past five years. Randy also helped launch the Mapping of Arts Data for Education Taskforce, which will create Hawaiʻi’s first comprehensive Geographic Information Systems-based map and statewide database of arts education programs and cultural organizations. A sixth-generation resident of Hawaiʻi, Randy focuses on using music as a tool for civic participation, intergenerational connection, and long-term community resilience.

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The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

Meet the 2026-2027 United States Leaders

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Adrian Lipscombe

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Ahmed Badr

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Alejandro Miranda

Madison, Wisconsin
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Allie Utley

Overland Park, Kansas
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Amanda Swope

Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Amara Manoogian

Washington, District of Columbia
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Angelica Salinas

Oak Creek, Colorado
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Berto Aguayo

Chicago, Illinois
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Caroline Hutton

Washington, District of Columbia
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Chastity Bowick

Columbus, Ohio
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Deja Foxx

Tucson, Arizona
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Elizabeth "Toba" Pearlman

Chicago, Illinois
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Erin Wilson

Alexandria, Virginia
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Jade Begay, Diné and Tesuque Pueblo

Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Jahnavi Rao

Berwyn, Pennsylvania
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Jamila Trimuel

Chicago, Illinois
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Jenna Cargile

Clarksville, Tennessee
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Joshua “JP” Peters

Chicago, Illinois
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Joshua Manske

Algona, Iowa
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Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias

Charlotte, North Carolina
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Keaton Sunchild

Great Falls, Montana
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Kellyn King

Simi Valley, California
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Khalil Thompson

Washington, District of Columbia
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Landon Mascareñaz

Denver, Colorado
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Larissa “Larz” May

San Francisco, California
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Laura Grannemann

Detroit, Michigan
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Laura Restrepo

Horsham, Pennsylvania
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Lauren Click

Phoenix, Arizona
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Lonnie Scott

Gainesville, Florida
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Lucas Schleusener

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María José Ramírez Braíz

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Mary “Margo” Franz

Seattle, Washington
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Matt Hildreth

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Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte

Los Angeles, California
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Naomi Henigin

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Ora Nitkin-Kaner

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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
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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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