Globally's PPNV Fellowship Empowers Emerging Policy Leaders

Public Figures in Focus is a platform dedicated to exploring leadership, public policy, and influential voices shaping contemporary public life. Through in-depth, one-on-one interviews, the project documents the personal journeys, professional experiences, and perspectives of public figures - including diplomats, academics, media professionals, and other influential actors. The initiative focuses on building a structured archive of insights, aiming to make pathways to influence more transparent and accessible, particularly for young audiences and early-career individuals. Public Figures in Focus lays the groundwork for future analytical engagement and broader discussion on leadership, governance, and public decision-making.

Most of my leadership has been lateral. Yes, you read that right. I’ve led faculty, staff, and students—who had deep expertise and strong opinions—often without formal authority. What worked wasn’t a title—it was: -credibility -follow-through -making it easier for people to say yes Across roles, this approach helped me build faculty buy-in for programmatic changes, launch new instructional models, and create communities that lasted beyond my time in the role. In consensus-driven organizations, leadership looks less like control and more like trust.

What happens when we invest in youth leadership today? Investing in youth leadership isn't just about helping one young person—it creates a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities. When we support youth through mentorship, sports, tutoring, and enrichment programs, we're planting seeds for future leaders who will uplift families and neighborhoods. Consider this: youth who engage in leadership programs are 30% more likely to graduate high school and 40% more likely to participate in civic activities. These numbers show how early investment leads to stronger, more connected communities. For parents, educators, and community leaders, this means that every dollar and effort put into youth development multiplies into long-term impact. It empowers young people to become confident decision-makers and compassionate leaders. Let's work together to break down barriers and create safe, inspiring spaces where youth can grow and lead. When we invest in their potential today, we build a future where everyone thrives. What leadership opportunities does your community offer youth? Share your thoughts and let's keep the conversation going.

Kicked off 2026 at Future of Education Technology Conference in Orlando, one of the biggest gatherings of K‑12 educators and innovators!   At the conference, I spoke about how Find Your Grind is helping schools strengthen student leadership and foster a positive, growth-oriented culture.   By guiding the next generation of leaders, we’re supporting educators build environments where every student can thrive.

Building a career in the environmental sector requires intentional steps, such as seeking out opportunities for professional development, expanding skill sets, and networking with people in the field. When individuals map out their career pathways, it helps them find direction, grow into leadership, and build careers that are purposeful. This is especially impactful for communities of color and people from communities who are underrepresented in the sector. Join Green 2.0 and Bonsai Leadership Group LLC for a conversation with environmental leaders at different stages of their careers as we reflect on the steps that guided their professional journeys and discuss the intentional practices, strategies, and resources they utilized to shape their career paths. Register to attend here: https://lnkd.in/eJk_-wKV

EduMoves | Leadership Transition Dr. Dr Asyia K. Kazmi, a globally recognized education strategist, has assumed office as the new CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), marking a significant leadership shift in global education innovation. With decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, public policy, and philanthropy, her appointment is expected to influence how education systems engage with innovation, equity, and human-centred learning. 🔗 Read the full EduMoves feature on Edugist. https://lnkd.in/d_nZNJMQ Through EduMoves, Edugist tracks global and Africa’s education leaders making career moves.

Last week at Eastern Washington University, I spent the morning with Student Affairs professionals exploring a truth we don’t name often enough: Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through relationships—over time, with care. This wasn’t a “network harder” session. It was a reframe: connection as a leadership skill that reduces isolation, builds trust across campus, and makes complex work more sustainable. Grounded in research on social capital, mattering, and developmental networks, we talked about relationships as infrastructure—not an extra—and how to build a supported professional community that fits your role, capacity, and season. Thank you, Lea M. Jarnagin, Ed.D., for the invitation. If these are conversations your team needs right now, I’d love to support you and your Student Affairs staff through intentional, research-informed professional development. Send me a message or check out more on my website: josieahlquist.com.

We're now partnering with Leland to provide personalized coaching to our Executive MBA students. Through this initiative, Freeman EMBA students will gain exclusive access to dedicated coaches who specialize in executive leadership, career advancement, and organizational strategy. Each EMBA student will receive four one-on-one coaching sessions with carefully matched executive coaches from Leland’s network of more than 2,000 professionals, offering insights from diverse industries and leadership contexts. Learn more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/eDAnV9Z5

Excited to announced Leland's partnership with Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business! As many of you know, we've started partnering directly with various universities to provide their students with access to Leland's coaching and career resources. With this partnership, we've focused on supporting Tulane's Executive MBA students, who need seasoned executive and leadership coaches to help them navigate important career transitions. Leland's network of thousands of coaches has been a great fit to support this community. “This new partnership underscores our dedication to meeting students’ specific needs, offering the focused support and strategic guidance essential for navigating today’s leadership landscape and achieving transformative career success.” - Ashley M. Francis, MBA, assistant dean of Freeman’s Stewart Center for Professional & Executive Education Shout out to Spencer Anderson and the Freeman team for bringing this partnership to life. Press release here: https://lnkd.in/gX4kSEN6

We’re proud to be working in partnership with Laisterdyke Leadership Academy on an exciting new youth leadership programme. Students are taking part in 𝐁𝐃𝟏𝟎𝟎 – 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, a project that empowers them to shape their communities by working alongside local public services, build leadership skills and co-design solutions to the issues that matter most to them. This year, young people will lead on three priority areas they identified themselves: vaping, digital footprint and peer pressure. By putting student voice at the centre of decision-making, BD100 is developing confident role models and driving meaningful, long-term change across our communities. The launch brought together an inspiring group of partners, including local councillors, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Bradford Council wardens, demonstrating a shared commitment to supporting young people and safer neighbourhoods. We’re already looking ahead to the first Bradford 3 Youth Summit later this year, where students will have a powerful platform to challenge councillors and MPs and continue shaping positive change across the district. 🔗 Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e9V2M7Rn