The Obama Foundation Welcomes 2021-2022 Class of Scholars at Columbia University and University of Chicago

September 7, 2021 at 9:00 AM CDT

CHICAGO — The Obama Foundation is proud to announce its fourth cohort of Obama Scholars, two groups of 12 emerging leaders from around the world who will study at Columbia University and the University of Chicago, respectively, for the 2021-2022 academic year. The Scholars will participate in a unique set of activities led by each academic institution and will jointly participate in Foundation-led leadership development programming that aims to provide training, networking activities, and individualized support as they work to expand their efforts after graduation. The Foundation’s programming will kick off virtually on Wednesday, September 8.

"It is truly remarkable to see the steadfast commitment of these rising leaders working to meet the economic, educational, and social needs of their communities across the globe," said Obama Foundation President Valerie Jarrett. "These individuals have displayed profound courage, dedication, and the spirit needed to create lasting change in the world, especially during challenging times. I'm thrilled to welcome this cohort of Scholars."

The newly designed program at the University of Chicago will bring together Scholars from across campus who are current students in their final year of study in a master’s program at either the Booth School of Business, the Harris School of Public Policy, or the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. As a part of the co-curricular programming, these Scholars will experience and examine how engaging with partners on the South Side of Chicago can lead to policies that help solve pervasive problems in communities across the globe.

“By fostering deep engagement with communities on Chicago’s South Side and beyond, the University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program is a powerful complement to the intellectual skills that students develop in these graduate programs,” said University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos. “Our students are eager to help address some of the world’s greatest challenges, and this program provides a vital pathway for them to realize that aspiration.”

At Columbia University, the Obama Scholars will complete a nine-month residency with Columbia World Projects, an initiative that mobilizes the university’s faculty and researchers to work with governments, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and communities to create tangible solutions to real-world issues. This cohort will also participate in seminars, personal and professional development workshops, audited coursework, and other programming designed in consultation with the Foundation.

“I’m very proud of the work being done by the Obama Foundation Scholars program and Columbia World Projects to train future generations to lead on the issues that matter,” said Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger. “We’re very grateful for the contributions of the Scholars to our University community over the last three years and look forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming this new cohort. The moment we’re in and the challenges we face underscore the need for talented leaders who understand the world’s problems and are committed to addressing them.”

The Obama Scholars program is designed to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders with the tools they need to make their efforts more effective and impactful across their global communities. Members of this year’s cohort are actively working to address many challenges and issue areas, including:

To learn more about the program, please visit obama.org/programs/scholars. A list of the 2021-2022 cohort of Obama Foundation Scholars can be found below.

Columbia University Obama Foundation Scholars

Millicent Barty - Solomon Islands

Founder and Lead Designer, Millicent Designs

Combining traditional oral history practices with innovative infographic design to communicate complex development issues across the Solomon Islands.

Cecilia Chapiro - Argentina & Spain

Investments Lead, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); Founder, Yunus & Youth

Using technology and innovative financing to enable entrepreneurial ecosystems to grow and progress the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Nika Kovač - Slovenia

Founding Director, 8th of March Research Institute

Building coalitions to transform legal precedent on gender and economic inequalities in Slovenia.

Jean-Noé Landry - Canada

Social entrepreneur and open data advocate;

Former Executive Director, Open North

Guiding public, private, and community stakeholders towards the responsible and collaborative use of data and technology to solve complex social and environmental problems.

Vincent Loka - Indonesia & Singapore

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Wateroam

Working towards a world without prolonged thirst by providing access to clean, affordable water technologies in areas with limited infrastructure across Southeast Asia.

Lineo Matlakala - Lesotho

Founder and Director, Barali Foundation

Using arts, advocacy, and education to promote women’s reproductive health and financial independence in Lesotho.

Patience Musiwa Mkandawire - Malawi

Founder and Executive Director, Fount for Nations

Building inclusive learning opportunities for all children in Malawi by improving educational access and equity for children with special-needs and intellectual disabilities.

Mohit Raj - India

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Project Second Chance India, Turn Your Concern Into Action Foundation (TYCIA)

Working with incarcerated and justice-involved youth in India to bring systematic and structured change to the Indian prison landscape.

Mohammed Keana Sabo - Nigeria

Founder and Team Lead, Almajiri Child Rights Initiative

Advocating for the social inclusion and right to education of vulnerable children by promoting sustainable development and accountable governance.

Melusi Simelane - Eswatini

Founding Director, Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities

Advocating for the acceptance and legal rights of the LGBTQ community in Eswatini and building intersectional human rights coalitions to empower young leaders across Southern Africa.

Juliana Tafur - Miami, Florida

Founder and Social Impact Filmmaker, Story Powerhouse

Designing and implementing a listening methodology to inspire positive dialogue across differences and foster human connection.

Francesco Tena - New York, New York

Founder, Pipeline to Power

Training young people to be leaders in participatory budgeting processes and governmental decision-making across the United States and Canada.

University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars

Aleena Agrawal - Chicago, Illinois

Director of Talent Solutions, P33 Chicago

Driving innovative, diverse, and inclusive growth across Chicago’s tech ecosystem.

Mara Heneghan - Chicago, Illinois

Director of Policy, Office of the Cook County Board President

Strengthening local government response to economic justice to support residents during the pandemic and beyond.

Rameshwara Nand Jha - India

Development Professional

Mobilizing women in rural neighborhoods to become first generation entrepreneurs through community organizing and training towards a vision of a poverty free and self-reliant India.

Samantha Alexandra Martinez - Chicago, Illinois

Co-Founder, Gage Park Latinx Council

Empowering young people of color from the Southwest side of Chicago to imagine new possibilities and be changemakers in their communities.

Neel McNeill - Chicago, Illinois

Executive Director, Definition Theatre

Bridging theater, activism, and education with leading artists, administrators, and designers of color to create art and culture to support human and community development in the neighborhoods we call home.

Prachi Naik - Pleasanton, California

CEO and Founder, Counselors for America

Equipping public schools with the resources needed to provide comprehensive school-based mental health services.

Grace Elizabeth Oxley - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Former Program Manager, Pitt-Assisted Community & Schools (PACS), University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Combatting education inequality and technology access in urban areas through research and inclusive policy advocacy and implementation.

Isabel Rodriguez Garcia - Mexico

Co-Founder & CEO, Axo

Fostering connections between farmers and direct consumers to create a healthier and more sustainable food system.

Tom Voutsos - Toledo, Ohio

Co-Founder and CEO, LadderUp Housing

Closing the wealth gap by providing an alternative pathway to homeownership in the Midwest.

Sameer Warraich - Pakistan

Trustee, Squeaks Foundation

Outreach Consultant, Innovate. Educate. Inspire (IEI)Using technology enabled solutions to tackle issues in development impact and capacity building in Pakistan.

Demeatreas Whatley - Chicago, Illinois

Site Supervisor, Cure Violence Global

Supporting gun violence prevention across the South Side of Chicago through community outreach, using music and art to engage young people.

Ria Zapanta - Philippines

Social Protection and Jobs Consultant, World Bank Group

Using data and technology to improve access and delivery of social assistance programs in developing countries.

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Contact: Charliese Agnew, Obama Foundation, cagnew@obama.org