Global Fellows Network (GFN) regional liaisons report on the connections and insights fellows experienced at recent events, from Prague to Mexico, and through individual collaborations with each other.
Southern Africa Fellows Attend 27th ILA Global Conference in Prague
Five GFN fellows from Southern Africa attended the 27th International Leadership Association (ILA) Global Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, from Oct. 15 to 18, 2025. The ILA conference provided fellows an unparalleled opportunity to engage with global leaders, exchange ideas, share knowledge and foster leadership growth — strengthening their ability to drive positive change in their communities.
The participating fellows were Faith Chawinga (Malawi), Bongiwe Mayiwase Dlamini (Eswatini), Crispen Mawadza (Zimbabwe), Brilliant Mhlanga (UAE/Zimbabwe) and GFN Regional Liaison Tembinkosi Semwayo (South Africa). This marked the second year of the GFN’s participation in the ILA Global Conference.
The conference featured plenaries, workshops and discussions on:
- Global Coaching for Women Leaders: Navigating cultural complexities and empowering success
- Human Wisdom in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging AI ethically to enhance productivity
- Bridging Leadership for Sustainable Impact
- Innovation Unleashed: Creativity, complexity and collaborative problem-solving
Sessions also focused on global political polarization and rising authoritarianism. Fellows explored the importance of recognizing shared humanity, engaging openly across differences and focusing on universal human needs. They learned that creating spaces for diverse perspectives and prioritizing relationships over dialogue are essential for bridging divides and fostering understanding.
The conference gave Southern African fellows a platform to deepen their leadership skills and expand their global networks.
Chawinga reflected: “Leaders are not lone heroes, but facilitators of collective purpose—equipped to navigate complexity, build trust across boundaries, act ethically and continuously renew their thinking and practices in a changing world.”
Mawadza resonated with the session about shifting from “Grit to Growth,” learning to navigate setbacks with resilience and preparation for multiple crises. Mayiwase Dlamini drew inspiration from sessions on early childhood and women’s leadership, emphasizing that cultural awareness and systemic change are critical to fostering flourishing communities in Eswatini.
The Prague conference gave Southern African fellows the opportunity to strengthen their collaboration skills, navigating complex challenges and leading with vision, cultural awareness and ethical decision-making — equipping them to bring these lessons back to their communities and drive meaningful change for children, families and communities across the region.
Latin American and Caribbean Fellows Confront Racism and Reimagine Leadership
Global Fellows in Mexico recently participated in a transformative learning experience exploring the intersections of racism, leadership and healing. The workshop, “The Effects of Racism on Leadership,” was co-organized by the GFN team and the Colectivo para Eliminar el Racismo (COPERA), an organization dedicated to examining racism as both a structural system and an emotional reality.
Over three sessions — two virtual and one in-person meeting in Mexico City — 16 fellows from across the country engaged in a process combining introspection, dialogue and collective learning. Using COPERA’s Collective Racial Healing methodology, participants explored how racism, privilege and identity shape leadership practices, influence organizational cultures and affect the emotional well-being of community leaders.
The GFN facilitated access to this unique approach while providing a safe, supportive environment that reflected the network’s values of racial equity, healing, empathy and collective care. The workshop was designed not just as a training, but as an immersive experience, inviting participants to listen deeply, engage in self-introspection, share personal stories, and practice leading from vulnerability and awareness.
Sessions emphasized active listening, self-reflection and mutual support. Fellows collaborated in pairs and small groups, examining how racism operates within their communities and how healing can be both a personal and strategic act of leadership. Many participants noted that the experience prompted them to reexamine long-held assumptions and recognize how empathy and dialogue can strengthen the social fabric of their work.
The workshop was an invitation for fellows to rethink leadership — not from a lens of authority, but from authenticity and a collective purpose. One participant reflected: “This experience made me reflect deeply on my personal and professional journey. It stirred emotions but also gave me tools to change my environment.”
Participants left with renewed purpose and practical insights to apply in their organizations. The workshop reaffirmed that anti-racist leadership begins with recognizing how systems of oppression manifest within ourselves, our communities and our work — and cultivating the courage to transform them collectively.
Through this collaboration with COPERA, the GFN continues to nurture leaders who see justice and healing not as separate goals, but as intertwined paths toward lasting social change.
U.S. Fellows Support One Another Through Solidarity, Collaboration and Community
Across the United States, members of the GFN continue to demonstrate what community-rooted leadership looks like in practice. Beyond their individual accomplishments, fellows are showing up for one another in ways that strengthen their collective impact — from organizing and mobilizing in moments of crisis to gathering for class reunions that rekindle bonds and inspire new collaborations. Their actions reflect a shared commitment to justice, healing and transformational change.
In Michigan, fellows continually model mutual support in action. A recent example is Yilin Wendland (CLN-3) of Grand Rapids, who hosted the West Michigan Asian American Association’s 2025 Asian Gala. The event highlighted youth leadership across the state and featured a keynote address from Cuong Huynh (CLN-1), who reminded attendees of the shared humanity that anchors our work. The room was filled with fellows and WKKF colleagues who brought visibility, encouragement and celebration. These moments —sometimes small, sometimes transformative — demonstrate the strength of the Michigan network and the deep commitment fellows have to one another’s well-being and success.
About 12 members of KNLP-Class 16 reunited in Chicago for a weekend of reflection, learning and renewed connection. Small- and large-group dialogues encouraged fellows to explore what their communities need, where their own strengths align, and how they can continue to support one another. The reunion also included moments of inspiration and reconnection, from shared meals to a tour of the Obama Presidential Center and Museum, leaving members energized and recommitted to collective impact.
Across the country, fellows have been stepping in to support one another. Whether helping a fellow launch a new community initiative, rallying resources in response to hardship or supporting projects aligned with equity and healing, U.S. fellows consistently show that community is their greatest asset.
Some are partnering across states and disciplines to design and co-lead healing circles, youth leadership programs, community food projects and cultural storytelling events. This kind of cross-pollination — where practitioners, organizers, educators, artists and advocates come together — reflects the original spirit of the network: that collective leadership moves us further than any one individual can.
Recent class reunions have shown that even years after their fellowship experience, relationships between fellows remain powerful and generative. These gatherings have done more than reconnect old friends — they have become spaces for healing, celebration and recommitment.
Together, these examples embody a network rooted in solidarity. By showing up for one another, organizing in partnership and investing in reconnection, U.S. fellows are advancing healing, equity and community resilience — and modeling a future grounded in collective care, shared purpose and lasting impact.