The Obama Foundation Invites Changemakers to Apply for its Widely Acclaimed Obama Leaders Program
As the Foundation’s signature leadership initiative, the Leaders Program expands a global network of more than 1,100 alumni by connecting and empowering emerging leaders across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM CST
CHICAGO – Applications are now open for The Obama Foundation’s widely acclaimed values-driven leadership development program that connects emerging leaders aged 24-45 across regions in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States.
Launched in 2018, The Obama Foundation Leaders program has engaged over 1,100 changemakers worldwide—inspiring, empowering, and connecting them to make real-world impact. Participants, recognized as “Obama Leaders,” learn practical skills and tools to lead through complex challenges, paving the way for them to make systems-level changes in their communities.
Alumni of the Obama Leaders program have gone on to achieve a range of accomplishments, including preserving funding in Philippine schools for feeding millions of undernourished schoolchildren; becoming state House majority leader in Vermont; and founding a South Korean music label that’s broadening K-pop’s inclusivity, including featuring North Koreans in a boy band that’s planning a world tour.
“At The Obama Foundation, we often talk about bringing change home, and that’s exactly what our Leaders do every day,” said Valerie Jarrett, Obama Foundation CEO. “Each year, we welcome a new class of leaders doing extraordinary things, and it is a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of helping them amplify their ability to make change in their communities and around the world.”
In addition to weekly regional learning sessions, participants will have the opportunity to engage with leadership coaches, subject matter experts, and each other to deepen their leadership practice. The core curriculum, adapted for each region, includes sessions covering values-based leadership, relationship cultivation, and systemic engagement.
The application for the 2026-2027 Obama Foundation Leaders program can be found here (Opens in a new tab) . More information, including eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions can be found here . Applications are open until Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 at 12 p.m. US CT. The Foundation will announce the 2026-27 class of leaders in the summer. For announcements introducing the new cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States this summer, follow The Obama Foundation on Facebook (Opens in a new tab) , X (Opens in a new tab) , Threads (Opens in a new tab) , and Instagram (Opens in a new tab) .
About The Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. That mission begins on the South Side of Chicago, where the Foundation is building the Obama Presidential Center. But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity. From every corner of the globe, our program participants are working together to address some of the biggest challenges of our time—from renewing our democratic institutions, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, fighting climate change, and so much more.
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Contact: Emily Bittner, press@obama.org