Around the world, bold ideas are transforming the fight against poverty. Yet, too often, the people closest to the challenges remain furthest from the public conversation.

In partnership with The OpEd Project, Acumen Academy is proud to introduce the 2025 Public Voices Fellows Tackling Poverty, made possible with the generous support of Senior Advisors Ann MacDougall and Jules Kaufman.

Founded on the belief that the stories we tell become the world we live in, The OpEd Project works to change who writes history by investing in underrepresented experts, especially women, to shape the ideas and stories that move society forward.  

The Public Voices Fellowship Tackling Poverty is part of a global initiative, launched by The OpEd Project in partnership with leading mission-aligned organizations and institutions, to diversify public knowledge and discourse, make the world more intelligent, and better equip us to face the most urgent challenges and opportunities of our day. The Public Voices Fellowship initiative has a track record dramatically increasing the visibility of Fellows and driving real and measurable impact.

This new partnership between The OpEd Project and Acumen Academy will bring together two communities driven by a shared goal to amplify the voices of leaders reimagining systems of poverty.

Katie Orenstein, Founder & CEO of The OpEd Project, added: “Through this fellowship, we are working with some of the best minds in the world — with experts across a wide range of fields and backgrounds who have knowledge that can help solve big problems, and drive great advances — not just for themselves, but for all of us. Imagine the return for society if we continue to invest in our collective intelligence this way.”

The inaugural 2025 cohort includes 20 extraordinary leaders from East and West Africa who are reimagining systems and rewriting narratives. From social entrepreneurs advancing sustainable agriculture, to advocates expanding access to healthcare, to innovators driving gender equity, these Fellows bring deep insight and lived experience to the most urgent challenges of our time.

Over the next year, Fellows will receive world-class support to amplify their voices and ideas, including:

• Four convenings rooted in leadership, credibility, and public influence
• One-on-one editorial coaching with leading journalists and editors
• Expert support to publish at least three pieces of thought leadership
• A growing network of peers and media allies committed to changing who writes history

This partnership aims to strengthen how social entrepreneurs communicate their ideas and shift the global narrative around poverty, dignity, and shared responsibility.

We’re excited to see how these Fellows use their voices to shape public understanding, inform policy, and inspire new conversations about what’s possible when those closest to the problems are empowered to tell their own stories.

Aminata is a civil society and community mobilizer with experience in public–private partnerships, advocacy, and women and youth empowerment across Africa. As the Founder and Executive Chair of Craving 4 Development, she leads programs advancing entrepreneurship, gender-responsive supply chains, and access to finance. She has collaborated with organizations including the European Union, Global Citizen Year, and AfriCASO to strengthen capacity and inclusion.

Amy is an impact-driven leader with over a decade of experience in humanitarian and development work. As the Managing Director of Nuru Nigeria, she leads programs on gender, nutrition, climate change, and agribusiness. She co-authored Nigeria’s first national policy framework on mitigating gender-based violence through religious institutions and helped design the country’s COVID-19 response strategy alongside the National Peace Committee. Amy is an Acumen West Africa Fellow and a ONE Champion, and has been recognized by the British Council and Amazon for advancing gender equity and youth inclusion.

Caren is the Founder and Executive Director of the Emerging Leaders Foundation (ELF-Africa), which supports and equips young people to participate meaningfully in governance, the economy, and public affairs. Caren believes in the power of stories to inspire authentic, empathetic leadership for sustainable development and has more than two decades of experience in youth leadership development. She was recognized by President Barack Obama during the 2018 Mandela Lecture, received the Pan-African CEO Global Award for Most Influential Women in Business and Government, and was named among the Top 100 Most Influential African Women (2022) and Young Africans (2023).

Emeka is the Founder and CEO of Kitovu Technology Company, a social enterprise building climate-smart farming and post-harvest infrastructure to eradicate extreme poverty among African smallholder farmers. A mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur, he is passionate about transforming African agriculture through technology and innovation. His work focuses on enabling farmers to access better markets, optimize inputs, and increase resilience. His work has received recognition from the World Bank, the United Nations, and Meaningful Business 100, among others.

Fatou is the National Director of Buzz Women Gambia, where she leads programs empowering women with confidence, entrepreneurial skills, and financial independence. Under her leadership, they have trained more than 40,000 women and established more than 450 community-led spaces. A visionary leader dedicated to community-driven change, Fatou believes in the power of women to transform their families and societies. Her work has positioned her as a respected voice for gender equity and education in The Gambia, and she is currently pursuing opportunities to expand Buzz’s reach and deepen its curriculum.

Jadesola is the Co-Founder and CEO of STEM METS, a social enterprise transforming education in Africa through experiential STEM learning for children, equipping them with skills to drive innovation, creativity, and social mobility. The enterprise has impacted hundreds of lives through partnerships with the Airbus Foundation and Chevron/NNPC. Jadesola is preparing Africa’s next generation for the future of work, and co-convenes STEM Africa Fest, a pan-African learning festival inspiring the continent’s next generation of innovators.

James is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Wezesha Impact, a social enterprise advancing youth entrepreneurship and employment in Africa through practical skills and enterprise development. A Fulbright Hubert Humphrey Fellow and Acumen Fellow, he has more than a decade of experience designing and scaling programs that empower underserved youth to create dignified livelihoods. He is a UN-ILO Certified Master Trainer in the Start and Improve Your Business and GET Ahead for Women in Enterprise programs, and a UNICEF Master Trainer for the UPSHIFT Youth Social Innovation curriculum.

Jeph is the Founder and Director of Blossom Academy, an award-winning workforce accelerator equipping youth with data and AI skills to increase their incomes while helping companies adopt data-driven practices. Under his leadership, Blossom Academy has expanded from Ghana to Nigeria and Rwanda, has achieved an 85% career placement rate for nearly 1,000 graduates, and has earned global recognition from CNN, the United Nations, and Nasdaq MarketSite, as well as honors including the Expo 2020 Dubai Global Innovator Award and Ghana EdTech of the Year. Jeph was a founding member of Esusu Financial and is a Princeton in Africa Fellow, Acumen Fellow, and Harvard Kennedy School Fellow.

Kibret is the Founder and CEO of Tebita Ambulance, Ethiopia’s first private ambulance service and pre-hospital care provider dedicated to improving access to emergency medical care. A former anesthetist, he founded the company after witnessing the country’s lack of reliable emergency response systems. Under his leadership, Tebita has partnered with the Ministry of Health, USAID, UNICEF, and others; launched Ethiopia’s first paramedic training college; and hosts a national radio program on first aid and health awareness. A Harambean Fellow and Acumen Fellow, Kibret has received multiple awards from the Ministry of Health and is advancing efforts to establish East Africa’s first Continuous Professional Development Center in Health.

Kolawole is the CEO of Izili Group, a company enabling clean energy access for underserved households and small businesses across Africa through innovative financing and technology solutions. Kolawole has held senior roles at Nokia, Microsoft, and Jumia, and his team has delivered solar solutions to schools, healthcare facilities, and security installations through impactful CSR initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience. He is mentor at the FATE Foundation, and is an Acumen Fellow, French-Africa Foundation Fellow, Global Good Fund Fellow, FATE Institute Senior Research Fellow, and Crans Montana New Leader.

Dr. Major (Rtd) Lucy Wairimu Mukuria is the Founder of True North Africa, which supports armed security personnel and their families by investing in their mental and behavioral health. By progressively adapting innovative mental healthcare programs to suit the needs of armed security personnel and their families, True North supports soldiers to live a life of dignity, helping them be the best versions of themselves as fathers and spouses, in-spite of war related trauma. Lucy has an extensive background in military psychology and trauma leadership. She is an Acumen Fellow and author, and recipient of the American Psychological Association (APA) International Humanitarian Award.

Miriam is a lawyer, access to justice advocate, and the Founder and Executive Director of Justice Nest, which is a Kenyan nonprofit working to create a fair, family-centered, and accessible justice system. With over a decade of experience in child protection, women's rights, and prison reform, Miriam has dedicated her career to transforming justice from punishment to restoration. She is an Acumen Fellow, recipient of the Courtroom Mail100 Changemaker Award, and previously served as Country Director at Justice Defenders, expanding prison legal offices across Kenya.

Mohamed is the Founding Director of the Institute of Climate and Environment (ICE) at SIMAD University, leading research, policy dialogue, and youth engagement on climate resilience and sustainable development in Somalia. With over a decade of experience in innovation and civic leadership, he has contributed to Somalia’s NDCs and advised development partners. A Fellow of the LéO Africa Institute and the Association of Professional Futurists, his work amplifies youth voices and links evidence to action for climate justice and poverty eradication.

Molade is the CEO of Teach For Nigeria, leading a national movement to end education inequity by developing transformational leaders driving systemic change in classrooms and communities. Formerly the CEO of West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), she helped scale innovation and equip thousands of youth with employability skills. Molade is a 2025 Tällberg Mentorship Fellow, 2021 West Africa Acumen Fellow, and Perennial Leadership Fellow. She serves on several boards advancing education, leadership, and social impact.

Okari is a social innovation leader and localization advocate with over a decade of experience advancing child protection, safeguarding, and organizational development across Africa and the Global South. As the former Executive Director of Pendekezo Letu, he has convened regional coalitions, secured multi-million-pound grants, and adapted global frameworks like the UNCRC to local contexts. Okari is an Acumen East Africa Fellow working to translate policy into lasting, community-driven change.

Sabrina is the Co-Founder and Chief Exploration Officer of Kidogo, East Africa’s largest childcare network serving low-income families and supporting women “Mamapreneurs” to grow micro-businesses through community-based childcare centers. Named by Melinda French Gates as one of 12 global leaders of the $20 million Zera Fund, Sabrina champions women’s power and economic inclusion. She has been featured in The Economist, Vanity Fair, and Forbes.

Sahar is the Founder of Maziwa, a women’s health enterprise ensuring mothers in Kenya can breastfeed without choosing between career and care. Backed by Grand Challenges Canada, the Gates Foundation, MIT Solve, and Skoll Foundation, Maziwa empowers women through innovation. A former brand manager at Johnson & Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser in Canada and the UK, Sahar is a Cannes Lions award winner. She is an Acumen Fellow, Global Good Fund Fellow, and a Meaningful Business 100 honoree.

Hon. Taa Wongbe is a Liberian legislator, entrepreneur, and ECOWAS Parliament member representing Nimba County. A survivor of Liberia’s civil war and refugee life, he is committed to rebuilding systems that restore dignity and opportunity. His District 9 Better Life Agenda pioneers a self-sustaining model for rural development integrating agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and leadership. He is a Forbes Next1000 honoree, an Acumen Fellow, and recipient of the African Leadership Magazine’s Business Leadership Excellence Award.

Wainright is the Founder and CEO of TRIBE, transforming education in Liberia by integrating entrepreneurship and real-world problem-solving into classrooms through their pioneering RE-Novate model. He led a national study with Mercy Corps to shape youth employment policy and managed a $1.9 million USAID investment to expand market access for entrepreneurs. A social entrepreneur at heart, Wainright is reimagining how education drives opportunity.