ENAR Director Announced as Obama Leader
19 September 2024 – Kim Smouter-Umans, ENAR Executive Director, is announced as 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leader.
Today, ENAR Executive Director Kim Smouter-Umans announced that he is among 205 leaders selected to join the Obama Foundation Leaders program. The program trains participants around the world in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Kim will be one of just 36 Leaders participating in the Leaders Europe program.
Kim Smouter-Umans joined ENAR as Director General in March 2022 and was recently appointed Executive Director. Named in 2023 as one of the world’s Most Influential People of African Descent, Kim champions the voice of our membership in front of societal change-makers wherever they may be. A policy and advocacy expert, he has nearly 20 years experience advocating social causes including LGBTQIA+ rights, employment, education and social affairs, civic space and dialogue, and digital rights.
”At ENAR, we’ve been having a lot of reflection about what it means to be an anti-racist organisation and a values-driven one at that. It’s not an easy exercise and so this fellowship and opportunity to connect with inspiring leaders from across Europe is timely. I look forward to learning, unlearning, and relearning from other leaders so that I can bring these insights into ENAR’s own work and mission. I’m really hopeful that this journey can help me to pay it forward.”
– kiM SMOUTER, enar EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As part of the six-month program, these dedicated changemakers will convene each week for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. They will also have an opportunity to participate in various virtual experiences and special events, including one-on-one conversations with experienced mentors in the Foundation’s global network.
Launched in 2020, Leaders Europe builds upon the legacy of the Obamas and their deep commitment to the region, with a focus on shared values and ethical leadership. The program is creating a network of leaders who drive positive, innovative change in their communities throughout the continent and across the globe. The 2024-2025 class of Europe Leaders are working across a broad range of issues and focus areas, including the climate crisis, democracy and civic engagement, diversity and racial advocacy, refugee and disability rights, and more.
The Obama Foundation Leaders program is designed to further inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States to change their respective communities and the world. To learn more, visit obama.org/leaders.
For more information, reach out to communications@enar-eu.org.
