TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Carlisha Williams-Bradley, founder and executive director of Women Empowering Nations, has been selected as an Obama Foundation Leader. Photo Provided
Selected To Further Inspire, Empower, And Connect Emerging Leaders Across The Globe To Make A Lasting Impact In Their Communities
The Obama Foundation Leaders program has selected Carlisha Williams-Bradley, founder and executive director of Women Empowering Nations, as one of 205 leaders. The named individuals represent government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors and have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good, according to the foundation.
The program trains participants around the world in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The individuals have been selected from 70 different nations and territories.
Bradley will be one of 100 leaders from the United States. Other leaders will be representing the following countries/regions: 36 from Europe, 35 from the Asia-Pacific region, and 34 from Africa. The individuals have been selected from 70 different nations and territories.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as an Obama USA Leader,” said Bradley.
“This opportunity represents not only my own personal growth, but also the continued expansion of Women Empowering Nations’ mission to equip young women with the leadership skills and global exposure they need to create meaningful social change. I am excited to learn from this community of changemakers and bring back new insights to further empower the next generation of women leaders.”
As part of the six-month program, the Obama Leaders will convene virtually each week for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community.
The leaders will also have an opportunity to participate in various virtual experiences and special events, including one-on-one conversations with experienced mentors in the Foundation’s global network.
Bradley has dedicated her career to advancing the leadership of young women through Women Empower Nations (WEN), a non-profit organization she founded in 2009. Over the past 15 years, WEN has impacted the lives of over 9,000 girls in more than 40 countries, providing leadership development, global exposure, and career acceleration opportunities.
Her efforts are focused on empowering the next generation of women to rise into leadership roles that drive systemic change and social impact. Through programs like the Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) Cohort, WEN equips young women with the tools to lead and succeed in their professional pursuits. Specifically, the non-profit offers direct opportunities to internships, scholarships, and fellowships that fast-track their career paths.
In addition to her work with WEN, Bradley has distinguished herself as a public servant and award recipient. She served on the Oklahoma State Board of Education representing Congressional District 1 from 2019 to 2022.
She has received numerous accolades for her commitment to social justice, education reform, and the development of women, including the 2024 Charles V. Willie Advocate Award from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, 2024 BMe Vanguard, 2020 Champion of Student Success, 2020 Tulsan of the Year, among other honors.
The Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program, now in its second year, was inspired by the leadership values and approach of former President Barack and Michelle Obama. The program draws on the Foundation’s ‘Hope to Action’ curriculum to support leaders in engaging diverse perspectives, building collective power, and making tangible, sustainable progress toward a better world. The Leaders USA Program has a particular focus on strengthening democratic culture.
Bradley is one of two Oklahomans selected. The other participant is Abigail Mashunkashey, director of communications for the Osage Nation. More than 6,000 applicants from across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States were received.
Obama Foundation Leaders Program
The mission at the Obama Foundation is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.
We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change, not just at the polls or in the halls of power, but in their communities, in the places where they live, work, and play.
Around the world, [the organization is] empowering rising leaders to more powerfully participate by connecting them with the skills, resources, and networks to maximize their potential and take their local impact global. [The nonprofit is] forging pathways to essential opportunities for young people, through education, mentorship, and career development, no matter where [they are] from [around the world and in the country]. For more information, visit https://obama.org/programs/leaders/.
Women Empowering Nations
Women Empowering Nations provides exposure, development, and mentorship to underrepresented girls to accelerate their path to social impact leadership. Through comprehensive programming that provides leadership coaching and global exposure, WEN cultivates a pipeline of young women poised for leadership roles that will drive positive social impact on a global scale. For more information, visit https://www.wenations.org/.
