Our Leadership Programming | The Obama Foundation

Hope in Action

Members of the Leaders program, which connects cohorts of regional changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities and throughout their region, are already doing incredible work to bring our hope to action values to life. These changemakers hail from over 100 countries and territories and work on a wide range of issues, but they have all found connection, support, and inspiration from their fellow Leaders.

Confidence Staveley, Africa

Confidence Staveley has already reached millions of Nigerians to inform them about cybersecurity hygiene. As the founder and executive director of CyberSafe Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving inclusive and safe digital access in Africa, she believes that Africans should not only have access to technology but should also be equipped with cyber risk and mitigation strategies. Confidence recently facilitated CyberSafe’s collaboration with the UK Government to implement a cybersecurity intervention in response to the heightened cyber attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Landisang Kotaro, Asia-Pacific

Global Program participants got the chance to connect across cohorts and programs at our Democracy Forum event. The Forum was a transformative experience for many Global Programs participants, as they networked with their peers and heard from inspirational speakers like 2022 Obama Leader Landisang (Landi) Kotaro. Landi, who was a part of the Asia-Pacific cohort, is the chief of staff at the Office of the President of the Republic of Palau—the youngest person and first woman to serve in this role. During the Forum, she shared her passion about steering Palau through the challenges of being a new democracy and her commitment to being a part of continued change.

Payzee Mahmod, Europe

One of the 2022 Leaders in the Europe cohort, Payzee Mahmod is also creating meaningful change for her community. Payzee works with a charity that provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls living in the UK who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing all forms of “honor” based abuse like forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and domestic abuse. Payzee was named the 2021 UK Parliament Volunteer of the Year for her advocacy work, and she received special recognition at the UN Women UK Awards 2020.