Written by Colin McEvoy | August 1, 2024 | SHARE
Isaac Brenya is among the young leaders participating in the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at Lehigh University's Iacocca Institute.
This summer, Lehigh University’s Iacocca Institute is hosting 25 of Africa’s brightest emerging business leaders as part of the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Over the next several weeks, we will spotlight several of these talented young innovators and entrepreneurs, showcasing the impactful work they are doing in their home communities, as well as their experiences during the six-week program at Lehigh.
Among these young leaders is Isaac Brenya, an urban planner from Ghana.
Can you describe your current professional role and share what inspired you to pursue this career path?
As an urban planner, our plans revolve around people and the environment. This means that in the urban planning process we ensure that urban growth does not compromise natural resources and the well-being of the residents. This approach often includes green spaces, public transportation, affordable housing, walkability, waste management, renewable energy, water management, and community involvement.
The driving force behind my chosen career as an green entrepreneur spearheading a sustainable material company called Ecovon was derived during my final year at University. I used to visit my parents during vacation in the southern part of Ghana where deforestation was rampant and this affected the indigenous activities such as agriculture and others due to disruption in rainfall patterns and climate change.
The main cause of the deforestation in the area was timber logging for production of medium density fiberboard and this elated my desire to research in to the use of other sustainable renewable feedstock materials like coconut husk waste that can be upcycled to manufacture superior alternative medium density fiberboard that don't compromise cutting down of trees
How has your experience at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute been? Are there any particular moments or experiences that have stood out to you?
I have been able to receive comprehensive valuable experience through the leadership in business program at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute. First, the training has enhanced my leadership skills, providing tools and techniques for effective team management, strategic decision-making, and conflict resolution. Networking has also been a major highlight. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of peers and professionals, and through that I have been able to build a network that is beneficial to my career as green entrepreneur.
The global perspective I’ve gained through the Iacocca Institute has been invaluable. I’ve been able to receive relevant insights into international business practices and cultural competencies. Lehigh University and Iacocca also provided hands-on projects or case studies that allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
The training has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, fostering personal growth and self-awareness as a leader. Overall, the experience at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute have been instrumental in shaping me into a well-rounded and effective business leader.
Specific moments that has glued me are the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge, the session on Global finance, the Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive (IGEI) high school program, and the Mountaintop Initiative.
How do you plan to apply the knowledge and skills you've gained here to your work back home?
During my time here, I’ve gained invaluable insights and skills that I believe will significantly enhance my work back home. I’ve learned new techniques in team building and human resources systems framework that will improve efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the exposure to diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches has broadened my understanding and will enable me to tackle challenges more creatively. I’m particularly excited to implement Gallup tools of leadership development that I discovered here, as it promises to drive positive changes in individual and team performance at work . Overall, this experience has equipped me with a richer toolkit and a renewed sense of motivation to make impactful contributions at my work back home.