Skoll World Forum 2017: Recognizing Emerging Leaders
The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), a partnership of the Mastercard Foundation and The Skoll Foundation, brings 12 exceptional young people each year to the Skoll World Forum in Oxford, UK. They undergo a week of tailored training, networking, leadership-building, and support, and enter an alumni community of global change makers.
The aim of ELI is to foster transformative leadership in young social entrepreneurs, enabling them to scale their innovations for maximum social impact. Previous participants have gone on to publish a book on the power of networks; speak on a panel with Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg; start an African business venture non-profit; join the leadership of the U.S. National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture, and win awards such as the Rolex Young Laureates Award and the U.S. National Service Advocate of the Year.
This year’s cohort was selected from both Foundations’ networks through a highly competitive nomination process. They came from ten countries around the world, half from Africa, and included four Mastercard Foundation Scholars. Their areas of focus were diverse, including disability, renewable energy, education and training, responsible business, health systems, corruption in financial systems, technology, the justice system, and environmental protection. They all had in common an innovative approach to their work and passion for social change.
All leaders had the opportunity to share their stories, which connected their personal journeys to their social ventures, to the SWF general audience through the ELI Story Studios. One of the leaders, Fhazil Wamalwa, was also a panelist in the SWF session, “A Work Landscape in Flux for Young People.” This elevation of next generation voices gave the Skoll community a refreshing perspective of the work currently happening on the ground at the forefront of social entrepreneurship. We hope that this inspires further inclusion of the voices of young and emerging leaders to diversify and enrich global dialogue on social issues.
We are grateful to the 2017 cohort for their valued participation, and look forward to hearing more from them in the future as they continue to push the envelope and drive for change in their respective sectors, organizations, and communities.
2017 Emerging Leaders Cohort:
Dorcas Amoh-Mensah, Ghana
Postgraduate Student, Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Edinburgh University
Michelle Chimuka, Zambia
Founder & Executive Director, Sani Foundation
Sam Leon, United Kingdom
Data Advisor, Global Witness
Godwin David Msigwa, Tanzania
Chairman – Advisory Board, Tanzania Renewable Energy Association
Olivia Muiru, Kenya
Executive Director, B Lab East Africa
Yamin Myo Nyunt, Myanmar
Head of Proximity School, Proximity Designs
Anita Owiti, Kenya
Postgraduate Student, Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Edinburgh University
Andrew Ozanian, Switzerland
JusticeHub Development Officer, International Bridges to Justice (IBJ)
Kpetermeni Toquoi Siakor, Liberia
Director of Innovation, iLab Liberia
Zeeshan Sumrani, India
Assistant General Manager – Programs, Educate Girls
Fhazhil Wamalwa, Kenya
Executive Director, Disa Energy Management Ltd
Amanda Yembrick, USA
Director of Impact, Medic Mobile
