Obama Leaders join forces across continents to create global opportunities for women

Here at the Obama Foundation, we believe that the best way to create sustainable change is by connecting leaders from around the world to work together to scale and expand their impact. When Elpida Kokkota joined the Leaders Europe program alongside her fellow Leaders, they did just that. 

Obama Leaders harnessed the power of collaboration to create educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for thousands of women worldwide—an initiative fostered by connections facilitated by the Obama Foundation.

Mexoxo (Opens in a new tab), a nonprofit organization founded by 2023 Obama Foundation Europe Leader, Elpida Kokkota, has joined forces with Obama Leaders who are leading organizations that empower  women through education and entrepreneurship. Initially launched in Tijuana, Mexico, Mexoxo has significantly expanded since 2013, impacting over 142,000 marginalized women across 155 countries. At the heart of its mission is "Take The Lead," a flagship program developed in partnership with eCornell University. This initiative provides educational scholarships aimed at equipping women with essential skills for success in the global economy.

Elpida attributes much of Mexoxo's global growth to the support and opportunities provided by the Obama Foundation Leaders program.

“During the Obama Leadership program, I had the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals committed to creating change worldwide,” Elpida explained. “Among the 105 participants, many of us found common ground in our mission to empower women, inspired by the Hope to Action Leadership Framework rooted in the leadership model of President Obama.”

Elpida's collaboration with fellow Obama Leaders started at the 2023 Obama Leaders convening in Athens, Greece, and has quickly proved instrumental to Mexoxo's success.

“Through the Obama Leadership Network, Mexoxo built strong relationships with nearly 22 Obama Leaders, the Girls Opportunity Alliance, and a network of supporters," Elpida shared.

These collaborations have allowed Mexoxo to provide over 28,000 scholarships, valued at 3.5 million Euros, enhancing economic and civic participation among women around the world.

A key partner in this effort is Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan (Opens in a new tab) (RSKS India), a Girls Opportunity Alliance Network organization, led by Dr. Deepak Sharma. Over 200,000 girls and women in rural areas have benefited from RSKS India's empowerment programs for more than three decades.

Dr. Sharma said the collaboration with Mexoxo was a natural fit. 

“We decided to partner with fellow Obama Leaders because of Mexoxo’s proven commitment to women’s empowerment and their innovative approaches to solving social issues,” he said. “Our work is driven by the belief that empowering women and girls is key to creating a more just and equitable society. We are committed to continuing our efforts, learning from our experiences, and adapting to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”

As a result of this partnership, the Street Education Program was developed and launched, which teaches and empowers rural, marginalized women and girls about entrepreneurship and leadership.

Dr. Sharma shared, “This initiative is fostering confidence, leadership, and entrepreneurial empowerment in communities where opportunities are often scarce.”

In her commitment to reaching more women and girls, Elpida recently expanded Mexoxo's initiatives to Malawi and the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the help of 2023 Europe Leader Roman Gojayev and 2023 Africa Leader Marcel Cirhuza.

In Malawi, Mexoxo partnered with Marcel Cirhuza's non-governmental organization, Fountain of Hope (Opens in a new tab), to address barriers like transportation costs, allowing 502 women to successfully complete the Take The Lead program. Similarly, in Azerbaijan, Roman Gojayev's community platform, Gender Hub (Opens in a new tab), supported 75 women through the Take The Lead program. His team offered personalized assistance, aiding these women in drafting career paths for economic growth.

“Our goal is to create a ripple effect that supports 5 million women by 2030," Elpida expressed. 

Dr. Sharma emphasized how crucial teamwork is in achieving such goals.

“When we work as a team towards a common goal," he said, “the speed is faster, the reach is wider, and the need becomes smaller.”

By harnessing shared values and fostering global partnerships, these Leaders pave the way for lasting change in communities worldwide. As Elpida continues to expand her reach and empower more women, Mexoxo’s journey serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through collaboration and dedication to a shared vision of equality and empowerment.