2009 Program
LEAD will rely on its proven model for delivering superior youth career development programming for LEAD Global, collaborating with U.S.multi-national corporations and South African-based businesses for ongoing operational support.

The initial participants include a total of 180 male and female students (48 from the U.S. and 132 from South Africa) ages 15 and 16.  From South Africa, LEAD Global participants include students from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, African Leadership Academy and Western Cape NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).  The U.S. students are from LEAD’s top 50 high schools and economically disadvantaged high schools in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. 

 
South African university partners, University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town, will focus the content on the fields of business, engineering and science. The curriculum will be rooted in real world international career development case studies and a team-based work environment. U.S. university partners, Spelman College and Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) will provide orientation to the LEAD Global students prior to leaving for South Africa.
 

A select group of high-level executives will be volunteering their time, experience and passion to act as chaperones and speakers to the inaugural class of LEAD Global. A sampling of the list includes:

  • Kim Davis, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, President
  • Annie Whatley, U.S. Department of Energy, Acting Director, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity 
  • Dr. Susan Taylor, Dr. Susan Taylor Society Hill Dermatology, Dermatologist
  • Debra Sandler, Worldwide President, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company
  • Jerri DeVard, Former Senior Vice President, Marketing, Verizon Communications
  • Cookie Johnson, philanthropist, child advocate and spokesperson for women’s health