The Obama Foundation Introduces 2025-2026 Class of More Than 200 Global Leaders
This year’s group of changemakers was selected from a highly competitive global applicant pool across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States
September 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM CDT
CHICAGO – The Obama Foundation today welcomed 206 changemakers from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States into The Obama Foundation’s Leaders program. Representing 70 nations and territories, these Leaders will join four regional programs that showcase the global reach and impact of the Foundation’s leadership network. This year’s class brings together 35 Leaders from Africa, 35 from the Asia-Pacific region, 35 from Europe, and more than 100 from the United States.
Their work spans across government, business, and civil society sectors, but shares a common drive to confront the world’s toughest challenges. Whether strengthening democracy, addressing the climate crisis, or expanding access to education, these Obama Leaders are committed to working within their communities and across borders to build a more just and equitable future.
“The Leaders program is about lifting up the next generation of changemakers who are already making a difference in their communities,” said President Obama. “Each year, I am struck by the passion, creativity, and determination these young people bring to the table. My hope is that through this program, they’ll build lasting connections, learn from one another, and continue driving the kind of change that shapes a more just, sustainable, and hopeful future.”
“As we finish building the Obama Presidential Center, we are sharing the stories of Obama Leaders around the world as part of our approach to inspire, empower and connect the next generation,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “We are proud to help the next generation of changemakers multiply their impact, and we welcome all those who yearn for hope and change to explore highlights of this work in our museum next year.”
Rooted in the leadership values of President and Mrs. Obama, The Obama Foundation Leaders program equips emerging changemakers with the tools to turn “hope into action.” Through the Foundation’s signature curriculum, Leaders learn to embrace diverse perspectives, harness collective power, and drive lasting, meaningful progress toward a more just and sustainable world.
Launched in Africa in 2018 and expanded to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States by 2023, the Leaders program now runs across all four regions simultaneously, creating new opportunities for cross-regional learning. Upon completion of the program, Obama Leaders will join the Obama Leadership Network, a growing global alumni community of over 1,500 active changemakers, where they will take their experiences forward through continued collaboration.
To learn more about the program and see a list of the 2025-2026 class of Obama Leaders, please visit obama.org/programs/leaders .
About The Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) 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