Obama Leaders honor the people and places who shaped their journey
Explore Obama Leaders letters of thanks and the relationships that continue to inspire their work today.
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Every leader’s journey is powered by people who believe in them. This Thanksgiving, Obama Leaders are taking a moment to honor the people who shaped them. From mentors and mothers to teachers and organizations, they’re sharing videos and notes of gratitude to those upon whose shoulders they stand.
Thank you, Joe Skeel!
— Tara Puckey, 2025-2026 Obama Foundation USA Leader
When I think about the people who’ve had a real impact on how I lead, my mentor Joe Skeel is one of the first who comes to mind. He had a way of pushing me that wasn’t always comfortable, but it was always right. He told me what I didn’t want to hear, challenged my thinking, and made me sharper because of it. What I appreciated most, though, was the culture he built around him. Joe created an environment where community mattered, where we showed up for each other, and where that sense of connection lasted long after we’d moved on. Joe knew when to challenge, when to step aside, and when to trust, and that balance shaped not just my career, but the kind of leader I try to be.
Thank you, grief camp!
— Jesse Moss, 2025-2026 Obama Foundation USA Leader
I came to you thinking I was there to help kids heal. I didn’t realize you’d end up healing me, too. Somewhere between the talent shows and campfires, I found a kind of belonging I didn’t know I was missing. Watching kids carry both heartbreak and joy in the same breath taught me that strength isn’t about moving on; it’s about moving together.
You taught me to listen before leading, to make space for tears and laughter to coexist, and to know that community is medicine. You reminded me that the bravest thing we can do is show up, messy, honest, and full of heart, even when we're scared.
Thank you for teaching me what real leadership looks like: holding space for others while still learning how to hold myself.
Thank you, Mr. Foster!
— Matthew Dormus, 2025-2027 Voyager Scholarship Recipient
Shoutout to my academic advisor and favorite professor, Mr. Preston Foster.
Foster taught me not to complain about the cards you’re dealt but to play them well. He graduated with a 3.0 GPA and still built a career that took him to Harvard for his master’s and to the White House as a Fellow and served as a U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education during the Clinton Administration, shaping national education policy. His experiences showed me that where you start doesn’t define where you end up.
But what means the most is how personal he’s been in my journey. He’s guided me through everything from school and career decisions to health, relationships, and manhood. He’s pushed me to think bigger and walk with purpose.
Mr. Foster is proof that success is not about perfection; it’s about persistence. I’m grateful to know him, learn from him, and try to live up to the example he’s set.
Thank you, Mumma and Papa!
— Aarushi Garg, 2025-2027 Voyager Scholarship Recipient
I still remember that night before my flight from India, how I slept beside you, all of us quietly crying but pretending we weren’t. You told me to keep my passport safe, to never take packages from strangers, and to call the second I landed. I thought I’d be fine without you, but I wasn’t. Those years apart taught me how much your love anchors me through every bad grade, every tiny victory, and every late-night call filled with laughter and bad jokes.
Now, having you here in the U.S. feels like a full-circle moment. Mumma, you gave up your job and your circle of friends to be close to me; Papa, you left your own parents behind to start over here. Thank you for every weekend meal drop-off, for the warm rotis packed in foil, and for making this new country feel like home. I wouldn’t be who I am without you. Thank you for being my home, my courage, and my reminder of why I do what I do. Love, Ooshi.
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