I began my journey with Leadership Initiatives by participating in their Tier 1 Law and Advocacy Summer Program internship. During this time, I honed my skills in advocating effectively to congressional officials. My role involved creating comprehensive briefing materials with my team, focusing on reforming the criminal legal system. We identified a critical issue affecting our client and presented potential solutions to address these challenges. This experience was not only incredibly rewarding but also equipped me with lifelong skills and connections that I still value today.
Following this transformative week, I was eager to continue my involvement with the organization. I advanced to the Tier 2 Law and Advocacy Summer Program internship and later joined the team as staff for the following summer. The staff members were exceptionally welcoming, taking the time to truly get to know each intern. I thrived in the open and collaborative environment, where knowledge-sharing and mutual support were paramount. Through this program, I gained invaluable life skills and hands-on learning opportunities that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
Thanks to Leadership Initiatives, I’ve developed strong collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking abilities. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and highly recommend this program to anyone eager to learn and seeking an unforgettable experience.
I have been with Leadership Initiatives for the past two summers on the operations team, initially starting as a virtual volunteer to help with project management. Throughout this time, I have gained various skills that will be incredibly useful in my future career. From coordinating tasks and managing projects to improving my communication and organizational abilities, every aspect of my role has been a learning experience.
My time with Leadership Initiatives has been incredibly rewarding. I am deeply committed to their mission of empowering young people, and my involvement with the organization has motivated me to continue working with these students year after year. I have always been driven to work with an organization that aims to create meaningful change in communities worldwide, and working with LI has allowed me to fulfill this desire. It's been inspiring to see how much of an impact a dedicated group of people can have. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this organization and contributing to its important work.
I first started out with leadership initiatives by attending their advanced medical and public health summer program. I had an incredible experience where I learned lifelong skills and made connections that I still treasure to this day. After that week, I knew I wanted to continue being apart of this organization so I then attended the neuroscience internship and staffed the following summer. Leadership Initiatives gave me an incredible opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and allow me to get closer to my goal of studying medicine. The staff there were extremely welcoming and truly got to know each and every one of the interns. I loved the open and collaborative environment where everyone was eager to help and share their knowledge. I was able to attain valuable life skills as well as hands on learning opportunities allowing me to truly grow as a person. Thanks to Leadership Initiatives I have learned how to collaborate, problem solve, and think creatively. It gave me a clearer sense of my career goals and a genuine passion for medicine. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and I highly recommend this program to anyone eager to learn and wanting to have an unforgettable experience.
When I first arrived at Leadership Initiatives, one message spread on the first day, amongst many, stuck with me: "Leadership Initiatives is a place where you can recreate an image of yourself no matter what your background is." After hearing this, I thought about who I wanted to be. If you ask my friends at school who I am, they would say that I am kind but quiet and keep to myself. But if you were to ask my friends at Leadership Initiatives who I am, they would say that I am energetic, outgoing, and always ready to help out wherever I can. Leadership Initiatives has truly changed who I am as a person. After my first year, making new friends and talking to people was easier. Other than the life-changing experiences provided by Leadership Initiatives in each of the respected programs that they offer, they have created a positive community where people can discover who they are and who they want to be. This community has made me feel welcome, which is why I continue to return every year, hoping to improve myself and create new experiences with people who truly care about what they are doing.
I had the pleasure of volunteering for four weeks during this program during the health internship. Though I was nervous about the length, it was a fun time. Meeting and working with all the Leadership initiatives staff and doctors from Nigeria was great. But, above all, it was great to see the interns be able to work all together for a week to make some outstanding ideas to help and make a difference in people's lives. It's always cool to see the intern's journey from being nervous at the beginning of the week to me helping to be a sort of mentor to help gain their confidence to present their ideas in front of the doctors and gain the courage to diagnose an actual patient! Though it was my first time staffing, I would definitely do this again for the following summer!
I had the privilege of working with Leadership Initiatives, first as an intern and later as a staff member, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. The organization is deeply committed to empowering young leaders and fostering positive change in communities around the world. As an intern, I was provided with hands-on opportunities to develop my skills in the medical field and contribute to bettering public health in Nigeria. As a staff, I worked with other passionate and driven staff and interns to make a difference. I have met incredible people and have been able to develop my professionalism and jumpstart my future career thanks to Leadership Initiatives.
I have been working with Leadership Initiatives for the past two years, starting as a student intern before becoming a part of the staff. As a student in the 2022 Advanced Medical and Public Health Internship, I gained an immense amount of experience and opportunities in the one week I spent at Georgetown with Leadership Initiatives. This organization strives to ensure that all their student interns are given access to top professionals of various- fields and access to materials and opportunities that other high school students do not have. During the program, I got to work with various specialists in the healthcare field, top-notch neuroscientists, and public health experts from around the world. I was inspired to see that the leaders of the various teams of interns, including mine, were all students like myself. It was clear that Leadership Initiatives offers its staff a wide range of opportunities, which is why I applied myself.
Working as a staff member has been enriching to say the least. The workplace is respectful and all of the staff is patient and willing to teach new staff members. I plan on working with Leadership Initiatives long term because I know that I will be given countless opportunities to advance my career.
I began my time with LI as a student in the International Business Summer Program. From the very first two days, I knew that this was an organization I wanted to be involved with in any capacity. The program introduced me to a diverse group of people and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, fostering both personal and professional growth.
During the school year, I participated in the International Internship Program (IIP), where I delved deeper into Nigerian culture and the intricacies of conducting business in the region. I honed valuable skills such as formal writing techniques, professional social media marketing, and business etiquette. While contributing to the growth of a Nigerian business, I witnessed firsthand the impact LI has on everyone involved. My three years in the IIP were incredibly rewarding, not only because of the personal and professional growth I experienced but also because of the tangible benefits it provided to the communities in Nigeria. The program enriched my understanding of business, marketing, finance, research, and so much more.
This past summer, I also had the opportunity to participate in the National Security and Intelligence Program, which was yet another transformative experience. It opened my eyes to the complexities of intelligence and security, and how much effort goes into ensuring community safety. I collaborated with an inspiring group of people who challenged my thinking and helped me explore a new field. The program director, former FBI agent Rusty Capps, became a mentor whose guidance I continue to value. Through LI, I have gained invaluable connections and now have a deeper understanding of government organizations and careers in the military.
Currently, I am working as an intern for LI, a role I’ve held for less than a year, but which has already contributed significantly to my growth as a young professional. I have had the opportunity to speak at, observe, and take notes during board meetings, build professional websites, regularly communicate with partners in Nigeria, plan outreach campaigns, and much more. These experiences have prepared me for both college and the professional world in countless ways. I am deeply grateful for the mentors I’ve gained and the support I’ve received throughout my journey with LI. Being part of this organization is an experience I truly cherish.
My experience over the years with Leadership Initiatives has been amazing. I have met so many incredible people with all different backgrounds and inspiring stories through this organization. I am very grateful for the opportunities this nonprofit has given me especially since it has helped me build good qualities in myself. Not only has LI taught me how to be a good leader but I have also learned to be more empathetic and selfless. The connections I have built working for LI are amazing and I look forward to working with Leadership Initiatives more in the future. I find the work we do as an organization very inspiring and I am excited to continue being involved with this nonprofit.
I have worked with Leadership Initiatives for several years and am always incredibly impressed by the care and attention to detail they employ for everyone they serve and everything they do. They have helped me develop into the person I am and have propelled me closer towards my academic and professional goals. We are so lucky to have Leadership Intiatives serving our youth and the greater international community.
My journey with Leadership Initiatives started by chance, and makes me grateful for the unexpected turns of life that turn out in ways better than I could have imagined. I began interning for the Advanced Law and Trial Internship in 2020 and continued into 2021. I knew for three years I had wanted to become a lawyer at that point, and interning with Leadership Initiatives and working on real-life cases deepened my passion for social justice and taking action to make the world a better place. Beyond improving a plethora of skills such as legal research, communication, and collaborative problem-solving, I gained real-life experience to carry into my career. With the help of Leadership Initiatives, I have found my career path and my experiences have shaped me into a better person, friend, student, and professional.
My journey with Leadership Initiatives began as a wide-eyed freshman in high school, venturing into the Tier 1 business program. Little did I know, this experience would profoundly shape my life. The support I received here has been nothing short of transformative. The knowledge I've acquired and the skills I've honed are unparalleled, setting this internship apart from any other.
After my initial program, I eagerly participated in two more and spent the next three years dedicated to Leadership Initiatives. Through this journey, I've cultivated invaluable leadership abilities and a strong sense of discipline. These skills have become integral to my daily life, influencing my interactions within my family, my performance at school, and my endeavors in sports.
One of the most significant aspects of my time with Leadership Initiatives has been the invaluable connections I've forged. These connections span the globe, linking me with influential individuals in my field of interest. The diverse network I've built is a testament to the program's reach and impact. In my eyes, every connection made here holds immense value; there's no such thing as a futile contact. Consequently, the hundreds of contacts I've gained have proven to be invaluable assets, opening doors to opportunities I could only dream of.
Previous Stories
Working with Leadership Initiatives for the past years has been nothing, but an amazing experience for me. It has created a mind-set for me on what path I want to take in life. I was convinced by there great leaders on the career choice I want to strive toward. It has led to internship opportunities as well as an intensive college-like experience. I was very impressed by the high-tier experts they bring in for lectures and to work directly with the students. Certain of these speakers influenced my life in many different ways. Leadership initiatives has given me a huge boost to my resume, college essay, and overall application for applying to college. With also their great SAT practice they provide, I was able to jump many points throughout the year. It has definitely broadened my horizons on colleges for me, as well as, more things I should be looking for that I wasn't. A very powerful experience I dealt with was being able to directly diagnose a patient, but also being able to have face-to-face conversations with actual business partners in Nigeria. In the business program, I was able to work with both, a great translator, as well as a very nice business partner. It was so great getting to know both of them and seeing how different life is from the U.S. What was cool is that it was all what we thought, we actually had to work to get solutions, they weren't just handed to us. Lastly, we were able to see how greatly we were able to impact their families and communities lives.Leadership Initiatives has gotten me excited to get out into the world and make a difference.
Leadership Initiatives has been a wonderful organization to be involved with over the course of the past few years. With my area of expertise lying within their business program, I was provided with many experiences and opportunities to further my abilities in problem solving, communication, and networking. With numerous amount of speakers Leadership Initiatives brings in, I learned a great deal about the field of maintaining your own business and I have been provided with many connections. Leadership Initiatives allowed us to partner with an actual business, providing us with real experience and hands-on/interactive opportunities to challenge ourselves when trying problem solve and come up with solutions for these businesses. I found my time with Leadership Initiatives, participating and leading summer programs, to be very eye-opening and guiding. I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and opportunities I have come across through this organization, and am thankful that it has solidified my career goals.
Beside academic excellence and endless opportunities Leadership Initiatives has provided me, I have also met many amazing people along the way. The people I met, whether it was my colleagues or my teammates, are now some of my most trusted friends. Getting to see everyone succeed together and take on challenges together has been truly inspiring.
I am truly indebted to Leadership Initiatives. I hope my journey with this nonprofit continues for ear to come, hopefully helping more businesses and inspiring other people along the way.
My time at Leadership Initiatives has been nothing short of incredible. Over the course of my three years with this organization, I have been mentored, learned invaluable professional skills, and have met some of the most accomplished people across a number of disciplines. LI has given me the connections and tools necessary to reach my own potential as a professional in the real world, and the courage to believe un myself to do so. Having the opportunity to work with real people in Northern Nigeria through the Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship only strengthened my passion for serving and improving the lives of others. Participating in this internship also unleashed my newfound interest for community development when paired with public health matters. It isn't often that someone of my age can say that they were able to positively impact the lives of individuals half way across the world, but because of Leadership Initiatives, I can. After everything I have been able to accomplish at this organization, I cannot recommend working with them enough if you are presented with the chance.
Leadership Initiatives has been an outstanding program that I have had the privilege to participate and work for. In the past I have attended two of their programs, Advanced medical and Advanced Neuroscience, where I was exposed to the various subsections within each respected field. The programs are one of a kind in teaching standard medical procedures and learning about human anatomy/physiology. The lecturers always provide a new perspective to their respected fields which I found to be very helpful when deciding on my future career path.
Volunteering and working for Leadership Initiatives can be tough with their rigorous 8am-9pm work schedule though the finished final product from the program and the friends made along the way makes it worth being apart of the program.
Leadership Initiatives is an outstanding organization that I have the honor to be with. I have been with this organization for two years, one year as an intern and this year as a volunteer, as Leadership Initiatives Staff Member.
As a person who has interest in the medical field, when I was given the opportunity to go through the Public Health internship program, I was very excited. Being able to learn about Global Health, how to suture, create your own plaster cast, and be able to gain the opportunity to listen to practicing doctors was for sure mind blowing! Above all, being able to work with my group to figure out an idea to help prevent those who live in Bauchi, Nigeria to not contract Malaria, and being able to use all the knowledge I learned throughout the week to diagnose a real patient was truly something!
As a staff member it was just a great opportunity to be able to showcase my knowledge to other interns who visibly have a passion towards medicine. Being able to be in the back seat, and let the interns I had to assist, create outstanding ideas and them showcasing happiness about trying to think of ideas to change other people’s lives for the better, will be an experience that I will remember for a long time!!
The Advanced Medical and Neuroscience program has been life changing for me. Getting the opportunity to work with leadership initiatives has given me the opportunity become extremely involved in the developing community as well as demonstrate my leadership skills as I guide interns throughout the program. I first started out as an intern, partaking in the advanced medical and neuroscience online program, since then I have staffed a variety of programs for leadership initiatives, broadening my scope of expertise. After being a team lead for the neuroscience, public health, and business programs, I have been able to see what fields interest me most and what would want to stray away from in my future career. Also, getting involved in a variety have programs has allowed to me to see the different life changing experiences and amazing opportunities each program provides.
Leadership Initiatives always strives to provide their interns and staff with the best and most beneficial experiences. Through LI, I have been provided many college prep resources such as essay editing, college probabilities and will even be receiving an amazing letter of recommendation from one of my mentors. I am very grateful for the opportunities LI has provided me and I have been inspired by so many people and their stories. One of the biggest factors that makes Leadership Initiatives stand out though, is the people. I have made some of my closest friends through this nonprofit. I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and skills I gained through being involved with Leadership Initiatives.
Maybe this session is an anomaly- but it's been one of the worst run camps I have ever seen. My child has attended numerous camps and the business camp is so bad and a waste of money. The students are in class from 8 am-9:30 pm. The long day would be ok if the speakers and activities were worthwhile. We know a number of kids in the camp right now, and they all are saying the speakers are random and have no relevance to helping the business in Nigeria. They all have commented that the director of the camp seems to be getting his random friends in the business to speak to simply fill up time. What a complete waste of $3500 and I would tell anyone thinking of enrolling the kids in the business camp-save your money and don't do the camp.
I've been a student and a staff member at Leadership Initiatives for over four years, and both of those experiences have been extraordinary. Through the summer and academic year programs offered by Leadership Initiatives, I was introduced as a student to a wide range of fresh prospects. I've had the opportunity to participate in activities that many of my peers wouldn't be able to until much later in their careers, including instantly diagnosing a patient in a developing nation. Additionally, I've made a lot of contacts and learned a lot about a range of potential career disciplines that I had never thought about before thanks to LI's really interesting seminars, and these have influenced my undergraduate studies as well.
Leadership Initiatives gives their staff members a chance to grow and have real responsibility in the workplace, giving them experience in the work field. LI’s goals itself makes it a wonderful organization that I am grateful to be a part of. Knowing that I am contributing to improving so many lives is a reward in itself.
Previous Stories
I have worked with Leadership Initiatives for three years, both as a student and a staff member, and my time here has been nothing short of phenomenal. As a student, I was exposed to a multitude of new opportunities through Leadership Initiatives' summer and school year programs. I've gotten to partake in things that many of my peers wouldn't be able to do until much later in their careers, such as diagnose a patient in a third world county in real time. Additionally, through LI's highly informative programs, I've gained many contacts and knowledge regarding a variety of potential career fields I had never previously considered. As a rising college freshman, my choice of major has been heavily influenced by the information and people I've met at Leadership Initiatives. As for the staff members, they always treated me as one of their own and I had felt very welcome during my stay in the summer. This prompted me to stay in touch and apply for a staff position. Majority of my joy from working with Leadership Initiatives stems from the people I work with. It is not only a highly productive working environment, but it also one that is filled with respect and motivation. Overall, working with Leadership Initiatives has expanded both my academic/career and personal well-being.
I have met some of my best friends at this organization over the course of the 2 years I have worked here. Not only this, but I have gained unparalleled professional experience across a myriad of fields and skills. I am so grateful for the opportunities that this organization and its incredible programs have provided me with. Over the course of the programs, I built some of the greatest relationships with my fellow staff members and interns and made connections with world-class professionals in various fields. My experience with Leadership Initiatives has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of an organization that helps change the lives of so many people around the world.
Previous Stories
I have worked with Leadership Initiatives for a little over a year now, and my experience has been nothing short of life-changing. I first became involved with the organization when I attended the Advanced Law and Trial Internship Tier I virtually in the summer of 2021. Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to work on a federal case, advocate for criminal justice reform to United States Senators, and compose a case briefing for the law firm we worked with. The experience I gained left me wanting to continue working with the organization, and over the past year, I have worked as a staff member at Leadership Initiatives. This summer, I had the opportunity to work on our 2022 Youth Development Programs at Georgetown University as the Assistant Student Logistics Coordinator. Over the course of the programs, I built some of the greatest relationships with my fellow staff members and interns and made connections with world-class professionals in various fields. Furthermore, my experience with Leadership Initiatives has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of an organization that helps change the lives of so many people around the world.
Working with Leadership Initiatives has been a life changing experience and provided me with many amazing opportunities. I first got involved with Leadership Initiatives as a student intern through their online Advanced Medical and Public Health summit. This program allowed me to learn about the prominent diseases in Nigeria as well as learn more about public health in general. Most importantly, this program allowed me to experience telemedicine by getting to diagnose a patient in Nigeria alongside a doctor. Although this program was online, Leadership Initiatives still made this program interactive and engaging, whether it was through Q&A sessions, sending us suturing and casting kits, or working in small groups in breakout rooms to brainstorm new ideas and innovations.
One of my favorites experiences with Leadership Initiatives was getting to go to Georgetown and staff summer programs with them. Getting to staff in person and take on a new leadership role has provided me with new skills and experiences that I am now able to use in college and as I continue working with LI. Leadership Initiatives always strives to provide their interns and staff with the best and most beneficial experiences and provides them with many college prep resources to ensure success in the future.
I am very grateful for the opportunities LI has provided me and I have met many inspiring people and made many close friends through my involvement with this nonprofit. Leadership Initiatives has also made me a stronger leader who is better at problem solving and adapting to changing situations. I think every individual can benefit from Leadership Initiatives and am glad I decided to intern with them.
I have volunteered and worked with Leadership Initiatives in many capacities throughout high school and university. Through my many years with this organization, I am always impressed with their unceasing drive to improve their own work in order to create a more meaningful and beneficial experience for their students, volunteers, employees, and their partners.
As a high school student working with LI, I always felt that the staff I was working with genuinely wanted me to succeed in my goals. LI gives its students access to invaluable resources, such as free SAT/ACT testing prep, college essay review services, and scholarship assistance searches. Additionally, with every program students participate in, whether that be their free year-round program or tuition-based summer program, students receive high-quality websites to display their work and accomplishments. When I was applying to colleges, this website was essential to supplement my application and it was always brought up in a positive capacity during admissions interviews. During my university years, I continued working with LI and felt the same support for my goals and aspirations.
I can say with certainty that LI is a unique opportunity that employees, volunteers, and partners alike should take advantage of and support in the same way that the organization supports them.
Working with Leadership Initiatives the past 3 years has provided me with experiences that have allowed me to grow both in and outside of the classroom. I first started working with LI in the summer of 20 as I attended the National Security internship as an intern, and this caused me to understand what career path I wanted to go down, and gave me the opportunity to work with LI even more as I have since become a National Security Staff team lead, and am now working with the Business and Cybersecurity programs as well. My experiences have been extremely uplifting and impactful, as I have felt extremely rewarded to know that the work I do with LI helps people around the world who really need it, and I am grateful for the people I have met along the way because of it. LI has also helped me with my college applications as they have provided me with services that have helped get my college essays, common app activities list, and resume edited. I am extremely grateful for the relationships that I have built through LI, both professional and personal, and am grateful that I have gotten to see what a positive workplace culture looks like up close.
This summer, I had the privilege to participate in Leadership Initiatives' Tier 2 Advanced Law & Trial Internship at Georgetown University. LI brought me exceptional experiences I have yet to find anywhere else. They help guide you toward greatness: a great mindset, great connections, and great people.
LI fosters an environment that lets you know you have the power to create change. The atmosphere in DC within their programs is one of empowerment and support. Part of the program required conducting a direct and cross-examination of a witness who was part of a criminal case. The experience was unique in that I got to present in front of the lawyer I was interning under, Rebecca Bloch, and stood in front of the podium of American University's Washington College of Law Stephen S. Weinstein courtroom. There, I felt strong and capabale.
I also met great people, including Marshall and Jessica Bailly. The two put in an incredible amount of work for their interns, and they made an effort to know each of us personally by name. I felt appreciated.
I also made incredible connections through the speakers that came to talk with us as part of the program. These experiences were some of my favorites, as they allowed for critical thinking and an emotional connection to the field of law and criminal justice. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to partake in the Tier 2 Advanced Law and Trial Internship. I would do it all over again if I could.
Leadership Initiatives provided me with opportunities I never imagined I would have. Through volunteering I was able to connect with people from all across the world and pursue my passion in medicine. In meeting professionals from a variety of different careers I learned new things and expanded my knowledge. I will volunteer for Leadership Initiatives again next year and I am looking forward to learning new things and connecting with different people.
I have been working for this non profit for 3 years now, and I have had a wonderful experience. They really care about helping me succeed. They give me all the tools necessary to make good solutions to the needs of the people we work with. Without this non profit I would never have discovered my love for business and my desire to continue and help those around me and those in Nigeria. I was honored to have been chosen to come back and work for Leadership Initiatives this past summer and help more middle school and high school students to explore their passions and make a real difference in the world. It is incredible what these students can do when given the opportunity and the resources, and I am excited to work with more students this summer.
Working with Leadership Initiatives has been a life-changing experience. As a high school student, I have not been given the opportunity to really make an impact or create anything myself. With Leadership Initiatives, that all has changed. I have never found an organization that offers students - high school students - the opportunity to work so closely with business owners in Nigeria and actually help them as well as see the impact.
I worked with Leadership initiatives through their International Leadership & Business Internship where we partnered with business owners in Bauchi State, Nigeria, who were struggling to keep their businesses afloat. They talked to us (through an LI staff member functioning as a translator on Skype) about their infrastructural issues and we brainstormed ways we could make tangible changes to help the business.
At the end of my week at Georgetown with Leadership Initiatives, I presented my solutions to a panel of judges and my solutions were approved by their grant committee!
I am so glad I have had this opportunity to work with LI and cannot wait to continue for years to come!
Having worked with LI for the past three years, I can confidently say that Leadership Initiatives is one of the best and hardest-working nonprofits I have seen. Leadership Initiatives has provided me with life-changing opportunities to make a difference in the world so many times, from my work at the Youth Development Programs in DC, to the International Business Internship Program, to the LI Internship Program, Leadership Initiatives has changed my life and earned 5 stars.
Working with Leadership Initiatives for the past few years has been such an amazing opportunity and has provided me with so many great experiences. I first started my relationship with LI in the fall of 2020 as a member of an International Internship Business team. The year after that, I participated in the virtual National Security Program in the summer of 2021. I started working with LI in the fall, and have been working with them ever since. It has been truly amazing to work with some of the most intelligent, driven, and compassionate people I have ever met. Leadership Initiatives has put so much faith in me, and I feel like I cannot repay them for all they have done for me. Through LI, I have developed my leadership skills and formed professional and personal friendships with amazing, hardworking people. My time with LI has exposed me to people who pride themselves on helping people around the world, and I am very grateful to be able to work alongside such warm, driven people. I owe LI so much for the opportunities they have given me and am grateful to be able to continue working with them so that I can gain more experience and pay forward the skills that I have gained as a result of my experiences.
Working with Leadership Initiatives for the past few years has been such an amazing opportunity and has provided me with so many great experiences. I started working with LI in the summer of 2020 and it was truly amazing that they found a way to make the summer programs happen despite being in the height of the global pandemic. Since then, I have participated in the International Leadership and Business Internship, the Advanced Law and Trial Internship, and the International Internship Program. I have also had the opportunity to work as a team lead for multiple programs and staff different internships over the past two summers. In July of 2022, I was able to board on Georgetown’s campus and staff programs out of the dorms. Leadership Initiatives has given me an opportunity to help different communities despite being just a high schooler. LI has allowed me to have an impact on those around me and has given me the ability to work with a business partner, a legal client, and professionals in various fields from around the world. I have met amazing people and have had so many incredible experiences that I know I will remember forever.
I have volunteered for LI for the past two years and saying this has been a life transformative experience is selling it short. I first got in touch through the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit in 2020. During my time in the summit, not only was I able to diagnose and treat in Bauchi State, Nigeria saving a life, but, along with my team, I launched a public health campaign raising awareness over the life threatening disease of Malaria. With LI, I have participated in the International Internship Program where I collaborated with a struggling business to educate, transform, and revamp the business into a top competitor in its area. This summer I had the opportunity to work at the Youth Development Programs as a team lead for the public health and neuroscience internship at Georgetown University. Through the course of this time, along with refining my leadership ability, I formed professional and personal relationships with individuals around the country. A common theme I have noticed during my time with LI, is their persistence to change lives worldwide. Overall, my experience with Leadership Initiatives has been a one of a kind opportunity which I am eternally grateful for.
I started with Leadership Initiatives in 2018 when I completed the International Business and Leadership Internship. Through this, I was able to work with a chicken farm business in Nigeria. I was put in a group and we spent the week conversing with them to figure out their main business problems, and then created and presented a business proposal on our solutions to these issues. This completely changed my life. Through the internship, I saw how much I loved working in the business field and discovered that I wanted to do something similar in the future. I also learned vital public speaking and teamwork skills, which helped me thrive throughout my high school and college career. This program showed me exactly how amazing an organization Leadership Initiatives truly is. It is very evident how professional the organization is and how much they care for the growth of those who attend their programs.
After attending two programs, I became an LI staff member where I have had the chance to work directly with the executive director on a multitude of daily tasks. This has given me unparalleled work experience compared to those similar to my age. I have been able to grow as a professional and make amazing relationships along the way. The best part about working for Leadership Initiatives is the workplace culture. Everyone does their best to motivate their co-workers to grow and maximize their full potential. Overall, Leadership Initiatives has changed my life in multiple ways for the better.
It would simply be incorrect to say that Leadership Initiatives hasn’t totally changed the trajectory of my life. I attended my first program in the summer of 2020, the Advanced Neuroscience Internship, and it was there that an interest in biotechnology was sparked that now as a senior in high school I plan on pursuing in college as a bioengineering major. Besides sparking interests Leadership Initiatives has given me invaluable skills that I can use in a variety of public settings. I have been taught how to present and work in teams, how to work up to deadlines, and how to be professional overall. This professionalism has now translated to me working as a staff member that can now pass on these skills to students who are just like I was three years ago. I owe Leadership Initiatives so much for the opportunities they have given me and I hope to continue paying it forward by using the skills they have given me to help others.
I was able to assist with the development of their business program and see students connect and work with business owners in the developing world. Both the students and business owners thrived from this partnership and I now believe in their philosophy that everyone can win when working together. So honored to assist the Leadership Initiatives team in reaching their vision!.
When I first began working with Leadership Initiatives, I was nervous that it would be difficult to connect with other students and their staff members over Zoom. However, after the first day, they made me feel extremely comfortable and like I was part of the team. The staff at Leadership Initiatives is friendly, kind, compassionate, and hard-working. I am honored to work with them and excited to attend more of their programs in the future.
After working with Leadership Initiatives for over 3 years, I feel compelled to share my experience and the impact that it has had on me. When I joined the International Internship Program because it sounded like an easy addition to my college application, I had no clue the number of lives that I would be able to touch and the people that I would meet. To work with business partners on the other side of the globe, and see the positive impact on their life has changed my outlook in so many ways. Aside from the personal connections and growth that I received within my work with Leadership Initiatives, I also received so many benefits that assisted with my college application, and I honestly believe played a large role in my eventual acceptance. I can wholeheartedly say that I don’t believe that I would be where I am today if I had never started working with Leadership Initiatives.
When my mom signed me up for a Leadership Initiatives Program, I had no idea what to expect. I was shocked by the amount of tangible impact that I was able to have on the lives of real people across the world, and the amount of fun that I was able to have while doing it. Through this program I met so many great friends and mentors that I hope to continue to work with in the future! I am very grateful that my mom found this program and am looking forward to continuing with them.
I have been working with Leadership Initiatives since I was a rising sophomore. Now a senior, I look back at all Leadership Initiatives has taught me with great appreciation and inspiration. Inspiration is something I would consider contagious at Leadership Initiatives, the drive of the individuals I have gotten to know has never failed to amaze me.
My first exposure to Leadership Initiatives was their “Advanced Medical and Public Health Seminar” at Georgetown University in 2018. From this experience, I became involved with the International Business Internship Program and became a Team Lead at my school. This opportunity taught me the extreme importance of helping those in need and how big of an impact individuals are capable of. Starting my junior year, I became an after school intern with Leadership Initiatives and worked to plan the same summer summit I previously attended. Even though the summit was not able to be in person this past summer, I felt equally as inspired after the the virtual summit as any previous in-person seminar.
As I head to college in the fall as a nursing major, I will always remember Leadership Initiatives for inspiring me to go into the medical field and will always remain motivated to help others with the drive they permanently instilled in me. I couldn’t be more grateful for my experience with Leadership Initiatives.
Leadership Initiatives is an absolutely incredible organization. The staff is dedicated and helpful. I found the organization at the 2019 HOSA International Convention. From the beginning, they were excited to work and help me as a high school student. I attended their Advanced Medical and Public Health seminar which gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the most brilliant doctors and also helped me decide once and for all that I also want to be a doctor. I also attended their Advanced Neuroscience summit. They gave me the opportunity to meet, learn, and work on a project with some of the greatest neuroscientists of our time. Because of the amazing programs that they offered, I realized that I wanted to use what I had learned to better my community and hopefully the experiences of future students at LI programs. I now work in two of their programs, the International Internship Program and as an intern for LI staff members. In the first, we are now creating a public health campaign regarding the health of a mother and their child in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Our hope is to spread awareness regarding the importance of prenatal, postnatal care, and care during the delivery process. As an intern for LI staff members, I work of helping find contacts for recruitment, I prepare lessons for the IIP and help members of IIP with their work. I have learned so much about the organization, leadership, and communication skills. This is probably the greatest opportunity I have ever had the honor of receiving. I am far ahead from where I thought I would be a few years ago and it's thanks to LI. It completely changed my life. At first, I was a bit concerned as it all sounded too good to be true. All of these programs and the people that I've had the pleasure to meet or work with blew my expectations away. I am not sure if I will ever really be able to express just how vital Leadership Initiatives was to help me get to where I am today, but I will start by saying thank you.
During the summer of 2019, I attended my first Advanced Law and Trial Internship Summit. While staying at Georgetown University, LI allowed me to work with attorney David P. Weber on a real case of gender discrimination within the National Parks Service. The supportive staff was at my side every step of the way as I learned public speaking techniques, studied case precedent, conducted witness examinations, and prepared a speech to advocate for our client on Capitol Hill.
I was fortunate enough to stay involved with LI after the youth development program had ended as a member of their International Internship Program. Last fall, my team and I partnered with a business owner in Bauchi, Nigeria, where we got practical exposure to project management and social development efforts. This year, our team has partnered with a project coordinator. We are currently briefing the Nigerian Human Rights Commission and developing workshops to raise awareness for human trafficking worldwide.
Because of Leadership Initiatives, I have been able to work alongside incredible individuals and gain exposure to career fields I am passionate about. As a Law Program Development Intern, I have also been able to help other high school students make the most out of their LI experiences and grow in their own leadership. LI's exceptional staff and unparalleled programs transform the lives of the students participating and the people they impact around the world.
I first heard about Leadership Initiatives (LI) the summer before my sophomore year of high school, when a classmate had asked me if I wanted to be a part of the International Internship Program (IIP), a year-long program with LI that allows high school students to work in tandem with business partners in the developing world. Immediately, I said yes, and for that entire year, I served as the Nigerian Partnership Chair of my team, working with Shifa Royal Hospital in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Throughout 2018-2019, my team and I devised a procurement and storage packet for staff at the hospital to help increase the efficiency of the aforementioned departments. As someone who’s always wanted to be able to help others outside of my immediate community, I was grateful for the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of people an ocean away.
Throughout this year, I also learned of yet another opportunity with LI: the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit at Georgetown University. At the age of 16, I flew from Orlando, FL all the way up to Washington, D.C., and for one entire week, learned all about the field of neuroscience from the best in the field, Dr. James Giordano and Dr. Rachel Wurzman. Surrounded by individuals who shared the same love and appreciation for neuro, I was intellectually challenged in the best way possible—I found myself thinking critically about not only the implications of the advancements in brain science, but also what it truly means to be human. At the end of the summit, I was able to present a neuroscientific proposal to a panel of neuroscientists, where I discussed the concept of free will and archetypes.
Later in the summer, I was offered an Advanced Medical Program Development Internship with LI. To meet the requirements for this internship, I attended the Advanced Medicine and Public Health Summit the same summer. There, I was certified in First Aid, AEG, and CPR under the Red Cross, and learned how to diagnose and treat the top four diseases in the developing world. At the end of the summit, I was able to diagnose and propose a treatment for a real-life patient at Shifa Royal Hospital with both malaria and typhoid fever, using the power of Oculus Rift Technology.
This is my third year with IIP. Throughout my time, I’ve been able to interact and form bonds with the members of my team, the business partners I’ve been in contact with, and our team facilitators. I’ve been able to form real connections and meet people with lives as enriching and fulfilling as mine has been thus far. Moreover, I have been interning with LI for over a year, and I truly feel that this program has bolstered my desire to pursue a career in the field of medicine. It’s allowed me to take the lessons I have learned in the classroom and apply them to real-world situations. I have had nothing but positive experiences with LI, having learned the importance of community and passion through my time with this amazing program.
Throughout Middle School I became heavily involved with the nonprofit Organization known as Children Helping Other Children (CHOC). After being a member of the organization for two years I took over as President of the organization. It was through CHOC that I got the unique opportunity to work with Leadership Initiatives and meet their incredible staff. After discussing the goals of CHOC and meeting on multiple different occasions, I was introduced to the Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Summer Programs.
The summer before my freshman year of high school I got the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks in Washington D.C. at Georgetown University attending the Leadership Initiatives International Leadership and Business Internship Summit. This two week program introduced me to a part of the world I had never got the privilege of seeing before, building connections with students across the country and working to solve the challenges of our business partner, a Fish Farmer, in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Following the conclusion of this program, I knew I could not let the opportunity pass by, so I elected to join the International Internship Program (IIP) and start a team at my High School.
After a year of involvement in the IIP program, I was invited to become an intern with LI and helped to orchestrate the first ever Leadership Initiatives Neuroscience Program at Georgetown University. It has now been three years since my first program with LI and I can safely say I have loved every single moment of it.
LI has given me the opportunity to help establish a Counterintelligence/National Security program at Georgetown University, and has since given me the opportunity to help oversee a course on the history of intelligence in the United States taught by a former FBI Agent. These opportunities have proved to be invaluable to me, not only at a professional level, but a personal level as well.
I am so incredibly thankful for everything that LI has given to me. It has been their constant support and dedication that has allowed me to discover my desired career path and has helped me decide what it is I want to do with my life. Most importantly, Leadership Initiatives has proven to me and countless others around me that you can change the world for the better, no matter what age you are
During my freshman year of high school, I became heavily involved in a health sciences club called HOSA Future Health Professionals. My passion for the sciences brought me to the state-level competition and it was there when I decided to attend an exposition that they had set up in the conference building. I had visited many desks, talking to countless people about colleges and programs. None truly caught my eye the way Leadership Initiatives did. Immediately upon talking to Marshall at the booth, I was determined to attend the Advanced Public Health Summit that they were promoting. Little did I know how impactful that little booth at a North Carolina competition would be.
Three years later, I find myself looking back at the moments in my life that Leadership Initiatives crafted for me. After my freshman year, I went on to attend the Advanced Medical & Public Health Summit. Despite being 15 at the time, I found myself thriving in a high paced and challenging environment, surrounded by doctors as well as peers who shared my same passion for the sciences. As the week concluded, I know that I couldn't leave this new found possibility to change the world behind me. Upon returning for the school year, I started an International Internship Program with four of my closest friends at school. For that following year we grew closer together as we developed our business and leadership skills while learning about issues worldwide. My mind was opened up to a new way of looking at and going about solving problems.
Around November of my sophomore year, I was invited onto the Leadership Initiatives internship team. Not for a moment did the staff see my young age as a limiting factor but rather they used it as an opportunity to help me grow. Over those next few months, I learned key skills in communication and teamwork that I have used every day since then. My internship work quickly found itself being combined with my never-ending love for the sciences as I worked alongside the brightest minds in many top fields to develop week-long programs in neuroscience and public health for high school students that shadow the field's professionals.
That following summer I flew to Georgetown to help with the implementation of the first "Advanced Neuroscience Summit". I watched as the lives of the high school seniors around me were changed, as they found passions in new fields and held the opportunity to dive themselves deeper into challenging topics. To top off that summer, Leadership Initiatives flew me down to Florida for HOSA's International Competition. Over a year later, I found myself on the other side of the booth, helping information students, just like me, about the wonderful opportunities that were present right in front of them.
The past three years alongside Leadership Initiatives have truly shaped me into who I am today. I've discovered my new passions in the sciences, gaining hands-on experience in ways I never could have imagined as a teenager. Along with this, I've learned leadership skills, grown in my communication skills as well as my problem-solving skills. Leadership Initiatives has helped me grow in ways I never could have imagined. They've truly helped me discover how I can be the change in the world around me.
I started my journey with LI as a student in the Medical and Public health summit. From the first two days of the program, I knew that this was an organization I wanted to be a part of in any way I could. Through this program I got to meet so many new people and I was encouraged to put myself out there in order to develop myself on a personal and professional level.
I then participated in the International Internship Program (IIP) during the school year. Through this program I began learning more about Nigerian culture and how conducting business works. Some of the skills I was able to develop includes: formal writing techniques and formats, professional social media marketing and different mannerisms that are best suited for business interactions. I was able to reap these benefits while helping a business owner in Nigeria grow her business which speaks to how impactful LI is to everyone involved.I am now in my second year of the IIP program and this year my team and I are working to create a public health campaign. This is not only helping the communities in Nigeria live safer and longer lives, but it also provides us with new knowledge about medicine, public health, campaign building, researching, brief writing and so much more.
I was also able to participate in the National Security and Intelligence program this past summer and it was yet another transformative experience. This program introduced me to the world of intelligence and security and how much actually goes into keeping a community safe. I got to work with an amazing group of people who stretched my thinking and helped me explore a new field. The director of this program is former FBI agent Rust Capps and he is a mentor I am still learning from today. LI has given me so many connections like this one and I now know so much more about government organizations and careers in the military.
Most recently, I have been working as an intern for LI. I have held this position for less than a year and I have already grown so much as a young professional. I have gotten the opportunity to speak at, sit in on and take notes for board meetings, to build professional websites, to speak without partners in Nigeria on a regular basis, to make plans for an outreach campaign and so much more while interning. These experiences have prepared me for college and the professional world in more ways than one and I have gained so many mentors that have been so supportive of me every step of the way. Working with and for LI is an experience I am truly grateful for and I am so glad I am a part of this organization.
My name is Hannah and I have been working with Leadership Initiatives since the summer after my freshman year (2019) when I attended both the Advanced Medical & Public Health Summit and the Advanced Neuroscience Summit. Soon after that I began participating as an intern. I am proud to say that Leadership Initiatives is an amazing organization that has really helped me to grow as a person.
In the time that I have worked with Leadership Initiatives, I have learned so much about the medical field, neuroscience, and creating business solutions. The opportunities LI offers to students in their programs! In each of the summits I participated in, we gained a lot of knowledge in the medical and neuroscience fields from a diverse group of experts. In LI’s International Business Internship Program (IBIP), my team successfully partnered with a hair salon in Bauchi State, Nigeria to come up with business solutions and raise the money needed to implement them. Leadership Initiatives has truly inspired me to become a leader and I am so happy to have worked with them.
My experience with Leadership Initiatives has been nothing short of incredible. I started my journey as a student participating in the Medical and Public Health Summit, and from my first day, I knew that it would be a week to remember. I had the amazing opportunity to utilize the skills I had learned during the week to diagnose and participate in the life saving care of a patient in Nigeria. Along with the numerous opportunities for learning, I also met many amazing friends from all over the world. I went on to attend the Neuroscience Summit the following summer, and this is where I truly found my love for Neuroscience.
During my time in the IBIP program, my team and I worked directly with a small business owner in Bauchi State, Nigeria, developing an effective business plan. A small touch that made a difference within this community.
I am now a youth development programs intern for the medical programs, and everyday presents an exciting challenge. I can say confidently that Leadership Initiatives has afforded me a rare and fulfilling experience.
My name is Devan, and I am currently a sophomore in High School. I've been working with Leadership Initiatives first through the National Security and Intelligence Summit and the International Business and Leadership Summit. From my first day working with Leadership Initiatives, I knew this was the program for me. The LI staff was attentive and supportive, and they truly wanted me to be successful.
In the International Business and Leadership Summit, I worked with Abigail Adamu to develop advertising and branding solutions for her restaurant business. I am continuing to work with her throughout the school year in the International Internship Program. We are helping Abigail track her finances and handle an increase in sales and customers as part of the International Internship Program.
Aside from learning about business, Leadership Initiatives taught me something about myself, that I am never too young to make an impact on the world and that I can make a difference. I am very grateful for the unique opportunities and experiences that I have had with Leadership Initiatives, as I have been able to explore the business field, international relations, and the essence of work as well.
After helping others around the world with Leadership Initiatives, I am amazed by what I have been able to achieve and how I can make a difference. During a call as part of the IIP program, my business partner told my team that her restaurant revenue increased by over 100% since the summer and that she is now able to afford a new apartment for her family. Helping my business partner in this way was unlike anything I have ever done before. I hope to continue working with Leadership Initiatives as it expands and helps more businesses around the world.
I have been working with Leadership Initiatives for two years. I attended the Advanced Medical & Public Health Summit Program during the summer of 2018, and the Advanced Neuroscience Summit during the summer of 2019. Over the recent summer of 2020, I participated as an intern for the Neuroscience Summit. Within these two years, I have also participated in the IBIP program, which has allowed me to communicate and help small businesses in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Leadership Initiatives is a place where young minds can express their knowledge and creativity. It's a place of learning and setting oneself ahead of the game. Working with LI has allowed me to help a lot of people, and even discover an interest in Neuroscience. Through IBIP, I have learned to devise thoughtful solutions to help improve small businesses. Overall, LI has been the outlet that has helped me grow not only as a leader but a friend. It has truly been an amazing experience meeting many of the many talented doctors and professionals in LI, and they continue to inspire me to reach beyond the limits and create change.
Leadership Initiatives has been the most life changing experience to ever occur to me. I first began as an International Business Internship Program participant. Through the IBIP program I was able to help Ms. Obalohun a restaurant owner in Bauchi State, Nigeria. To see an actual change and a positive impact occur where it is needed most, it is just so satisfying and helps us grow as people. I would have never imagined that I would go from a participant in the IBIP program to an intern. Through my internship I am now able to help others succeed and change lives. LI has help me grow as an individual, develop many of my professional skills, work toward improving my English and creating relationship with professionals in my field that could help me grow in my desired future career. Being from Puerto Rico, you would think that it is almost impossible to be part of an organization as incredible as Leadership Initiatives, yet Marshall and all of the LI staff, not only gave me an opportunity but have also help me become the person I am today.
Attending the Leadership Initiatives Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit was a truly transformative experience. I had always hoped to go into the medical field, driven by my desire to help others, but Leadership Initiatives turned my future dream into a reality. I learned how to diagnose the four most prevalent diseases in Bauchi State, Nigeria (including epidemics like Malaria and Typhoid Fever) and then I used my new knowledge to actually save the life of a patient there! I will always remember the day that I put on the virtual reality goggles and entered the world of my struggling patient, because I knew Leadership Initiatives would be able to provide her with treatment and with hope for a healthier future. I realized that my work was improving the life of this young child forever. After conducting the patient exam using the virtual reality technology, I learned soon after that she was getting treatment and recovering extremely well! Before Leadership Initiatives, I couldn't wait to make a difference by saving others, and after attending the summit, I felt like I was already on my way to saving others for the rest of my life. I had never experienced such passion to create positive change until I was actually doing it all the way across the world. If anyone is interested in global health, medicine, and helping others, but feels too young to start, wait no longer and turn to this organization. This summit was and will continue to be an inspiration to me throughout my journey into medicine. After attending the program and knowing what it feels like to save a life, I am now on a pre-health track in college and I'm so eager to be saving lives again. (Above is a picture of me getting ready to diagnose my patient!)
Leadership Initiatives is an amazing organization that changes lives every single day, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them. I began as a student in the International Business Internship Program, attended both the International Leadership & Business Internship Summit as well as the Advanced Law & Trial Internship Summit, and now work as a youth development programs intern. I have seen firsthand how LI has influenced lives, my own included.
As an IBIP student, I was fortunate enough to have partnered with an irrigation farmer in Bauchi State Nigeria. He was struggling with his fruit production process and was not making enough profit to send his children to school. My team created a step-by-step process to teach our business partner how to stem graft his trees in order to produce more fruit and therefore afford an education for his children.
Seeing the impact that Leadership Initiatives has had on the lives of individuals on the other side of the globe has changed me as well. I've noticed the growth in my leadership qualities as well as my passion for helping others. I'm so grateful that LI has provided me with the opportunity to change lives around the world.
Leadership Initiatives is an amazing program that gives students exposure to many incredible opportunities. In the summer, I participated in the Medical and Public Health summit, and I got to meet many doctors and also learn about college from college admission experts. Leadership Initiatives gives students exposure to professionals in their field of interest, which can greatly help students get ready for life after high school. I am also a member of an IBIP Team, which is greatly helping developing businesses in Nigeria. The work that Leadership Initiatives does for developing countries is very inspiring.
As a former student in LI's International Business Internship Program (IBIP) and as a current youth development programs intern, I can confidently say that Leadership Initiatives is nothing short of incredible.
In every aspect of the organization, the dedication and care everyone on staff pours into their work is abundantly clear. They ensure that every single person, student, or business they work with has the resources and skills they need to succeed.
Throughout my time at Leadership Initiatives, I've had so many opportunities to foster growth in leadership and communication (and had fun doing it!). Without a doubt, LI has changed my life, and countless others!
Leadership Initiatives has changed my life in so many ways I never thought was possible. I was sent there one summer alone because my mother heard of the summit and wanted me to pursue the opportunity. I came there with nothing and left with so much. I not only developed life-long relationships but I also got a first hand look at what I want to do with my future. It's unbelievable to think what I'm doing currently at 16 years old. I was given the opportunity to not only start an IBIP team but also the opportunity to intern for Leadership Initiatives.
With my IBIP team I don't have to wait for the summers to change lives because now I can do it year round. It is the most soul filling feeling to have a motivation to help someone and see the solutions you made put into motion. With such good representation in the staff to keep me motivated and driven, I couldn't ask for a better group of people to spend my time with.
I have been involved with Leadership initiatives for about 3 years now as both a student and intern, and I can confidently say that this program has had a bigger impact than anything else in my life. The hard work that Marshall and his team put in, and the trust with which they treat each student means that new goals are being met every single day. Never in a million years would I have expected to have worked with business owners, state representatives or lawyers at such a young age, but Leadership Initiative's impact is just that significant. I hope to keep working with this nonprofit for as long as possible so that more people can experience the hard work and joy of this fantastic team!
Leadership Initiatives is an amazing experience for everyone involved. For students, the program exposes you to many opportunities such as meeting professionals in your field of interest. It is an immersive week that truly gives students an understanding of college life. As for volunteers, the staff quickly becomes your second family. There is a tight bond between the workers that motivates you to work harder. I started as a student in the Public Health Summit. Throughout my time with Leadership Initiatives, I have met amazing people from across the world and created long-lasting bonds. As an intern, I've been given the opportunity to work with professionals in the neuroscience field to improve Leadership Initiatives Neuroscience program. I am and will be forever grateful for the experiences I've been exposed to. This is truly an amazing organization.
Leadership Initiatives is an amazing nonprofit that is doing unparalleled work not only in the US, but in Nigeria as well. After having worked with LI for over a year through the International Business Internship Program and their Advanced Law and Trial summits in Washington DC, I am confident that there is no one working harder to improve the lives of people all over the world through education and hard work. The work done throughout the year with the International Business Internship Program (IBIP) has allowed me to make a real difference in a community in Bauchi State, Nigeria which is something I could not have done with any other program. Through the Advanced Law and Trial Internship Summit at Georgetown University, I was able to get an in-depth look at what it means to be a lawyer and work with real clients on real cases. In addition to being apart of IBIP and attending the summer summit, LI has given me amazing benefits such as SAT/ACT prep through Test Rocker, college essay editing, etc. The staff at LI is amazing. Every single person working for LI is caring, compassionate, and willing to help me make a difference in the work. The staff is one of the best parts of LI because they care so much and want me to succeed so one I can can make an amazing difference in the word. They make sure I have the tools in my back pocket to succeed with whatever I choose to do in life. I am so thankful to be working with such as amazing nonprofit and would recommend LI to anyone willing to work hard so one day they can make a difference!
Leadership Initiatives had been an amazing experience for me. It has led to internship opportunities as well as an intensive college-like experience. I was impressed by the caliber of experts they bring in for lectures and who work directly with the students. Leadership initiatives has given me a huge boost to my resume for applying to college as well as changing my direction in that respect. It has certainly broadened my academic interests to include many things I wasn't even looking at before. For me, getting to help people directly by diagnosing them was a very powerful experience. In the neuroscience program, I got to see a patient with Parkinson's who had a brain implant. He demonstrated turning it on and off which showed us, visibly, how much of a difference someone in the medical field can improve the life of another. Leadership Initiatives has gotten me excited to get out into the world and make a difference.
Leadership Initiatives is life changing for everybody involved. I have been a part of this organization for about a year and a half, and I plan to stay as long as I possibly can. The LI staff is always helping everyone in every way they can, from helping coordinate fundraisers across the country to writing recommendation letters in their free time. Through LI, I have had the opportunity to work with three different businesses in Nigeria and assist them with their problems. LI makes a point to help build a relationship between the students and business owners that goes beyond just the business. LI has also blessed me with the chance to visit embassies, talk with admission representatives of illustrious colleges, interview and befriend experts and CEOs of large corporations, and so much more. As I said in the beginning, I will stay a part of the LI family for as long as physically possible.
In the year that I have been working with Leadership Initiatives, I have seen so many lives dramatically changed, my own included. I have been given opportunities that I had never dreamed of, and have had the chance to work with the amazing staff of LI, which has become like a family. In my sophomore year of high school, I was given the unimaginable opportunity to work closely with an impoverished, orphaned student in Nigeria hoping to make enough money to support himself and his sister. During the Summer, I was able to work with a security business attempting to protect a Nigerian university from terrorist attacks from groups like the Boko-Haram. Leadership Initiatives offers students around the world the unique ability to lend aid to developing communities, gain real-world work experience, and connect with other cultures in a way that no other program can. For those in developing communities, it gives them a chance to grow their business, acquire important connections, and, perhaps most importantly, provide hope for the future. I can not put into words how thankful I am to Leadership Initiatives, and I know that hundreds of others would say the same.
My name is Faisal Sa’ad, I was born in 1996 at Gwallaga Community Bauchi, Bauchi State – Nigeria; I am the first born in my family and I have 10 siblings. I lost my father about 4 years ago and my mother about a year. I have been taking care of my siblings since when we lost our father. I shoulder all the responsibilities of my family such as feeding, clothing, education, shelter etc. and I am married with two children (boy and a girl).
Life has been so difficult for us before Leadership Initiatives intervention; I joined LI in the year 2014 as Auto Repair business beneficiary. Leadership Initiatives empowered me with tools and support my business with technical advice on how to run the business.
I have been partnering with International Business Alliance Program (IBAP) Students who are helping my business with advertising, how to manage finances and exposing me to new model cars. That has driven my business to success.
The entire life of my family has changed, because before we leave in a rented apartment; but now we own a house all because of LI’s support.
I have worked with Leadership Initiatives for a little over a year now as the Fundraising Chair for my schools IBIP team. We're partnered with a small soap making business in a rural Nigerian town. One thing that makes Leadership Initiatives amazingly unique is the connection that they have with the business partners. Participants of IBIP are able to Skype with their business partner (and a translator) which gives them a personal relationship that many other programs don't have.
Along with participating in the IBIP program, I also went to Washington, D.C. and participated in their International Leadership Business Summit. Similarly to IBIP, students are paired with business, given a set of problems that the business is facing, and at the end of the week students gave presentations in front of a panel of judges. Students were scored on a rubric and if the students were given a certain score, their business was given a $500 grant. ILBS is such an amazing program that gives students experiences and advantages that no other organization or program can even think of. When in D.C. we visited embassy's, toured the Supreme Court and other D.C. hot spots, spoke to college admissions officers, met with a professional college guidance advisor, and were able to work with experts in a variety of fields.
Leadership Initiatives very clearly cares about their students and does everything they can to give them hands on business experience and prepare them for the future. Being involved with Leadership Initiatives has been a life changing experience that I wouldn't give up for the world.
Being apart of Leadership Initatives is such a blessing and honor. To be able to work one on one with business owners from Nigeria is an experience like no other! It is so incredible to see the change and difference you are not only able to make in others lives but also your own. In addition to all of this, it is such a pleasure to work with Mr. Marshall Bailly. He truly runs an incredible organization and no one works as hard as him and the LI team. They are so caring and truly care about not only the business but the business owners and the students. I am eternally grateful to be apart of LI because this has allowed me to grow and develop as a person. This has been one of the most rewearing experiences of my life.
Leadership Initiatives has changed so many lives including my own. By working with them, I have been connected to people throughout the world and have been able to truly see the difference they make in others lives. After meeting with several of the businesses and community members Leadership Initiatives works with, I felt so confident in their goals that I decided to further my commitment to Leadership Initiatives. The businesses that they commit to not only improve the lives of the workers, but the entire community. I am honored to be involved with such an amazing organization!
I've worked with Leadership Initiatives for over a year as the Team Lead for the Ridgefield High School International Business Internship Program. We work with a small salon business in Nigeria, creating a financial plan and marketing strategy to increase profits and expand employment. The direct connection with our business owner has made me more socially aware of issues women face in different parts of the world and I am so grateful that Leadership Initiatives gave me an opportunity to make a real impact on someone's life.
I also work to coordinate the Mentorship program. Leadership Initiatives gives back to the students they work with by connecting them with qualified mentors who can help students think about their career path. Not only does Leadership Initiatives improve lives in Nigeria, but they also work to support the students who make this change possible.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to work with Leadership Initiatives, their amazing staff, and the wonderful other students that contribute their efforts the cause. The greatest thing I can say about Leadership Initiatives is that they truly care. Whether it's about supporting the students who work so hard to help their business partners or the impressive behind-the-scenes work that would leave you speechless at the sheer amount of energy they put into each program. Leadership Initiatives is an amazing program that I am proud to be a part of.
I got involved with this organization out of pure fate. It's simply the best thing I've ever been apart of. The relationships I've built, whether it is a longtime friendship or a business reference for the future, it has been an incredible journey. Amazing group of people behind this organization. They are all genuine, kind, loving, and caring people. There isn't a better program to be apart of!
After working with LI for the past year, I can confidently say that there is not another non-profit that works as hard as Marshall Bailly and the LI team. Leadership Initiatives provides the most personal, helpful, and life-changing experience to everyone involved; whether a student, Business, donor, or otherwise, LI a will never fail to impress. From the phenomenally fun summer programs in Washington, DC to the programs like IBAP and student internships, LI is truly a 5 star non-profit.
I started working with Leadership Initiatives about two years ago and let me tell you, this organization is amazing. They empower growing businesses and really change lives!!! I’d give a 6/5 if I could!!!
I have worked with Leadership Initiatives for over a year now through the Business Alliance Program and through the Business Summit. I am so grateful for the opportunities that the head of the LI program, Marshall Bailly, has given to me and my team. Over the last year, my team and I have worked with multiple businesses in Nigeria to help solve their business problems. It was such an amazing experience to see how happy our business partner was when we proposed our solutions this summer in Washington, D.C. Being apart of the Leadership Initiatives team has allowed me to aid business owners in Nigeria and has made me feel as though I had a true impact on the world. The program has continued to make the world a better place and I look forward to my involvement in the program over the next couple months.
Ever since I’ve started working with Leadership Initiatives, I have discovered that I truly love helping others. I am very grateful to Marshall Bailly and Leadership Initiatives for giving me the opportunity to grow as individual and help different individuals from around the world improve their communities. Thank you so much for everything!
When I think of Leadership Initiatives, the first word that pops into my head is “Family”. The organization seeks to improve the lives of all the people that they come in contact with. The whole world seems to be their family and all they want is the best for all of them. I’ve been a direct witness to LI’s success in making the world a better place. Their reason for success, among many others, is that they treat everyone as if they were truly family. The staff of LI work to personally get to know everyone, which, in turn, allows for higher levels of productivity, since everyone is connected, so they achieve so many things. LI is very dedicated and motivated. They know what they want and they get things done. I can’t wait to see what else they have to offer to world.
Leadership Initiatives is nothing short of incredible. Over a year ago, I was fortunate enough to join three other students at my high school in the formation of an IBIP team. We collaborate weekly via Skype call; the primary focus of our efforts is to improve the hair salon business owned by our partner, Grace Adanu, from Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Through efficient collaboration and communication with both the American and Nigerian staffs of Leadership Initiatives, I've witnessed firsthand the blood, sweat, and tears that this nonprofit puts into every minute of every hour. My team's work has been occasionally disrupted by politically or religiously motivated extremism and emergencies in these Nigerian communities. The ability of Leadership Initiatives to effectively resolve these issues on a daily basis not only underscores the resilience of the whole program, but sets a problem-solving precedent for the IBIP teams themselves.
The week I spent last summer at the International Leadership and Business Summit at Georgetown University brought full circle all positive sentiments I'd acquired over the course of a year of online work with Leadership Initiatives. LI is unique: it strives to foster an unbreakable international bond that you can't just find anywhere. This initiative provides a platform for key Nigerian community figures to ensure the growth and development of their own businesses.
I am so honored to be part of an organization that succeeds in making the world a better place. I can't wait to see what Leadership Initiatives achieves in the future - they have the drive and dedication to do it all.
My name is Ricky Toh, and I am a volunteer that is part of Leadership Initiative's International Business Alliance Program, a program that helps high school students connect with Nigerian businesses to help solve business and technical solutions. Throughout my time with this program, Leadership Initiatives has really encouraged me to take a stand in fundraising and researching solutions for my business partners. In addition, Leadership Initiatives works hard to make sure our solutions and progress is consistent through online Skype calls with Leadership Initiatives and regular calls with our business partner in Nigeria. They are committed to their cause and working with others, especially since they had to set aside special times for my team, which is located in Indonesia, because of time differences. I really appreciate the work Leadership Initiatives is doing and know that it will change the lives of the Nigerian communities it partners with.
Leadership Initiatives (LI) is inspirational in its work empowering local leaders to start businesses in their communities to address a problem that they see. It has been a pleasure working for Leadership Initiatives and I am consistently impressed by the training that LI provides, but more importantly by its focus on "the local" to ensure that everything comes from within the community from ideas to leaders to funding. The more I learn about the leaders themselves and hear their stories, the more I am inspired by the work they are doing and the positive impact they are having on their communities.
My name is Ismaila Adamu, I was born in 1990 at Yelwa makaranta, Bauchi. I have eight (8) siblings. Just as I began my final year in secondary school, I had to drop out because my father couldn’t afford to pay for my education any longer, this was very painful. But then LI came along and gave me the opportunity to go on. Today I earn about N300 – N600 daily; my desire to complete my education was my drive and I am glad I met with LI.
I am Abdurahaman Aminu, one of the beneficiaries of the LI welding program. Before I met LI, my story was just like most of my colleagues, I was broke and unable to take care of myself or my siblings, I had no education but just over the space of a short time. My welding business has grown. I now operate from Katsina state, where my business skill caught the attention of a Chinese company that I also now work for on a contract bases. This has helped widen my knowledge base and built me up financially. All thanks to LI.
My name is Muhammad Ali, I am the first child in my family with 10 siblings, my father works as a labourer, doing menial jobs and my mum is late. Because of the size of my family and the little income that comes in I barely finished my secondary school education with a lot of challenges and difficulties along the way. After which I stayed at home doing nothing. When LI empowered me through training on motorcycle repairs, I moved from a idle young man who could not help his family to one who had a full time employment and could now help with some money at home to take care of my siblings.
I am Ibrahim Hussaini, though I am disabled, I always strived not to allow my condition limit me. So despite my disability, I obtained my Diploma in 2006, yet was without an employment until my paths met with LI. LI saw beyond my disability and still reached out to help me, by empowering me and some of my colleagues with computer skills. Now with the help of the training I received from LI, I got a job at a business centre here in Bauchi, after which I earned enough to establish my own business. And now I not only own my own business but I am an employer of labour and also I have built a house in my village- Jama’are all thanks to my encounter with LI.
All I did was wait till the raining season to plant my crops in my little farm and harvest it to feed my family. But after LI’s intervention, I, Sani can now provide much more for my family and even for my community. We no longer just eat majorly carbohydrates, but we also have some protein from the fish to go with it. Our finances have improved and even our health too. I am now respected within my community for bringing such help through the fish farm to my people, with the help of LI.
I am Salamatu Mohammed, born in 1991 at Yelwa makaranta, Bauchi state. I have eighteen (18) siblings; my father is a retired civil servant. I completed my secondary education in 2008 but could not continue because my father could not afford to sponsor me any longer. Until I met LI I had no source of income. But after my skill acquisition training with LI, I now earn at least N200-N400 daily. I became a part of LI so I could help my parents with my siblings and also cater for myself, now because of my tailoring skill; I have been able to help her parents send some of my siblings to school. Also I got married and was able to finance what I needed to. LI has helped me build my world and reach greater heights, I never thought possible.
I am Uzairu Salisu, a 16 year old who is currently undergoing my post-primary education at Bakari Dukku secondary school in the JSS (junior secondary school) class. My father Mallam Salisu a peasant farmer, has two (2) wives and twenty two (22) children. He could only afford to send just three (3) of us to school, of which I was not a part of these three (3).
Life has thrown its challenges at me since I was only four (4), daily survival was next to impossible for me and my 21 siblings, as my mum and step mum are both house wives and my father’s income was too small to cater for the large family. All these and much more did not drown out my drive in life; rather they served as the thrust I needed to strive harder.
The Leadership initiatives cobbling business program was an answered prayer for me. Because of my dedication and determination coupled with my mentor’s patience (the LI allocated trainer), I was able to learn the cobbling skill well, not only that, but I became one of the highly skilled apprentice on the business having the ability to design and create fantastic shoes for both men and women of various styles and sizes.
I plan to start my own business soon, so this could help me make a living and also employ other youths in my community. Because of LI, I, my family and even my community will never be the same again.
I am 14 years old; my name is Yahuza, both of my parents are still alive. My father is a tailor with three (3) wives and fourteen (14) children; I am the sixth child and though I was privileged to complete my primary education at Jahun primary school in 2011; but due to financial insufficiency, I have not been able to further my education beyond that level. Therefore, I chose to learn a skill in order to help me raise enough finances to complete my education. That’s when I met with LI and I was given the opportunity of a life time to be trained as a carpenter. And today my desire to fund my education and also support my parent as well as my siblings is gradually becoming a reality with LI.
I joined the LI business program at age 21 as one of the car mechanics apprentice; I am the eldest son in my family with nine (9) siblings and my father- Mallam Lawan is a low income earner who cannot afford to send his children to school. I, Haruna have never attended school before. But after LI’s intervention, I raised enough money to finance my own education at an adult education class, which was the starting point for my education pursuit. This was one of the greatest longing that drew me to the LI business alliance program, to further my education with the proceeds from this business skill.
My name is Hamza Ya’u, I was born in 1985 at Kofar Fada, but later settled at Yelwa Markaranta of Bauchi, I have thirteen (13) siblings and my father is a local farmer. My father could not afford to send me or my siblings to school. I spent most of my time on the farm with my Dad during the raining season and he just sits idle at other times.
LI’s intervention greatly transformed my life and that of my family. I was trained on the welding skill and I who earned nothing before and sat idle when I was not on the farm with my dad, now earns about N300 – N400 daily, giving me the financial power I needs to take care of myself and even help my family. Also I am working on enrolling in an adult education system to help me get the education I couldn’t get prior to LI’s intervention, and now even help to send about four (4) of my siblings to school.
As a nonprofit professional, I have an intimate knowledge of how important organizations are to people that are disenfranchised and in need of support. I am a firm believer that real change happens in a bottom up format, empowering those who need support to change their circumstances and develop in order to reach their true potential. LI accomplishes this with innovative and precise programs- helping communities survive and thrive in a sustainable fashion.
Leadership Initiatives is determined to change the world, one community at a time. I have volunteered with LI since 2003 and visited projects in both Namibia and Nigeria. One difference this organization has is their constant presence. I have met many people in developing countries that have gone through training of some kind through one organization or another. More often than not, these people struggle to apply their skills outside of the classroom. Leadership Infinitives' Computer Literacy course is a great example for taking the abstract and making it applicable. I had an opportunity to meet Ibrahim, a graduate of this program. He now makes a living servicing peoples printing needs, creating banners, business cards, advertisements and wedding invitations. Throughout his transition from student to entrepreneur, LI has been there, checking in on him and assisting along the way. Ibrahim is more than just a success story for LI, he is a teacher and supervises the development of new graduates. He is one of the many people involved in that is committed to changing the world, one community at a time.
Having spent many years living in developing nations, I have been impressed by the model of sustainable economic development put forward by Leadership Initiatives. The model builds entrepreneurial leaders at a community level, taking local entrepreneurs through a process of identifying a business/service that is needed, developing a business plan, and raising the necessary funding from within their community. The results are sustainable businesses that empower individuals and their communities to invest in their futures. The success of the new businesses and the willingness of successful entrepreneurs to reinvest in new projects is a compelling model that I feel proud to support.
Leadership Initiatives (LI) is an outstanding example of how we should guide and direct our foreign policy initiatives in regards to peace-building and international development. LI strives to create an atmosphere where the people of Nigeria have the largest say in how their needs are met, thus this does not create dependency and allows for more brighter days to come in Nigeria. After having had the opportunity to meet individuals who have been affected by LI's work, I am forever hopeful that LI will only grow to do greater things in the years to come. Leadership Initiatives has taken social entrepreneurship to a whole new level.
I have been involved with Leadership Initiatives for the past two years, and have been familiar with the organization for the past four years. I was first introduced to Leadership Initiatives when my older brother was involved with the organization, working to raise money for the “Water for Nigeria” project. His group raised enough money to build a water purification facility in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria. After seeing how my brother was able to help a deprived community through Leadership Initiatives, I knew I wanted to somehow be involved. I was then fortunate enough to be asked by Marshall Bailly, the Executive Director, to be the group leader of the Fish for Freedom project. As the group leader, I am now able to be a part of some of the incredible projects that Leadership Initiatives is involved with.
While working with Leadership Initiatives, I have been privileged enough to work with those who need the help the most. Our group project is focused on providing affordable fish to the people of Birshi State in Nigeria, and we are currently in the midst of raising money to help expand the fish farming program into other areas of the state. In doing so, we are helping regions that have been severely depleted of crucial nutrients for years, specifically quality protein and Vitamin B.
My work with Leadership Initiatives has been occasionally interrupted by the actions of political and religious extremists throughout Nigeria. Leadership Initiatives’ ability to overcome the constant adversity faced each day by these extremists is truly remarkable. It is a well run organization and repeatedly completes projects that have a lasting impact on many less fortunate communities in Nigeria. I am proud to be a part of this respected organization, and I anticipate further growth of their humanitarian efforts.
Leadership Initiatives’ International Business Alliance Program (formerly Sister Schools Program) connects emerging businesses abroad with high school students across the United States. American student leaders are tasked with solving local development issues through business development, thus fostering cross-cultural collaboration. High school students involved in the program have been instrumental in increasing capital for their business partners through business process changes that enhanced efficiency and minimized costs. The success of the International Business Alliance Program on the high school level led LI to introduce its first program at the university level this past year at Georgetown University, with plans to expand to other colleges/universities in the future.
Leadership Initiatives is a great example of social entrepreneurship. The people behind the organization are driven -- their bottom line is social capital. The LI model is to provide just enough assistance and infrastructure that the people in the community can establish their own businesses -- which often beget more businesses. I have watched this organization grow from the inspired idea of a college student ten years ago to an engine for social change fueled by altruism, business savvy, and a sincere desire to help improve people's quality of life -- by showing folks how to do it themselves. I have taught in the university system for over 25 years and specialize in social entrepreneurship. Leadership Initiatives is an example of the best of the best.
Leadership Initiatives creates businesses, but there's more to it than that. In a time where relationships between countries have become very tense and unpredictable, LI takes everything back to the very basics, which is presenting oneself and seeing others as humans with emotions and desires and goals. By connecting leaders in the beneficiaries' communities with outstanding US high school students poised to become leaders for their own generation, we promote intercultural relationships with teamwork. This results in a continuing positive relationship. US students will take this positivity with them to college and beyond. Finding ways to improve cross-cultural relationships can be difficult, but often times the answer to the problem is the simplest solution.
I joined Leadership Initiatives this year, and am already impressed by the widespread effect this organization has on all aspects of the community. Leadership Initiatives promotes developing businesses, creating a safe environment for entrepreneurs in the Nigerian and Bauchi community. These developments are facilitated by the youth of the International Business Alliance Program which fosters the promotion of leadership skills among high school and college students, allowing the next generation to become active members in their community and the world. This organization not only strives for a wonderful cause but is also possesses the progressive and effective skills to make a difference.
My commitment to Leadership Initiatives (LI) grew exponentially when I realized that the businesses that LI had helped to create turned into engines of community development. The businesses are not only succeeding but are building infrastructure in their own communities, are creating orphanages to fill in for absent social services, and are faithful donors to LI as well as volunteers to one another. LI demonstrates the achievements that can be accomplished by committed volunteers working with dedicated international grass-roots entrepreneurs and local micro-financing from community middle-class sources. By partnering U.S. students with the local entrepreneurs to provide help as project managers and fund-raisers, LI is creating a learning opportunity that gives our next generation of Americans a powerful understanding of grass-roots business development and international exposure. Training for the local entrepreneurs includes skills, leadership, and financial classes to ensure not only success in the short-run, but sustainable growth in the future.
I have been working with Leadership Initiatives for a number of years as one of the many dedicated volunteer staff members that believe in the vision and projects of the organization. Leadership Initiatives is an organization that succeeds in engaging the local community and budding leadership in a region to generate sustainable projects.
Jo Ann Marie
As a teacher with 39 years in the public school system I applaud Leadership Initiatives Sister School Programs. These programs provide innovative educational opportunities in our schools with a positive impact that engage administrators, students, their families and their communities.
LI Sister School Programs assist students in the development of character, motivation, and purpose. These Sister school programs foster cross-cultural collaboration that strengthens budding leaders of the future across international boundaries.
Having spent many years living in developing nations, I have been impressed by the model of sustainable economic development put forward by Leadership Initiatives. The model builds entrepreneurial leaders at a community level, taking local entrepreneurs through a process of identifying a business/service that is needed, developing a business plan, and raising the necessary funding from within their community. The results are sustainable businesses that empower individuals and their communities to invest in their futures. The success of the new businesses and the willingness of successful entrepreneurs to reinvest in new projects is a compelling model that I feel proud to support.