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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 Marie Wade, a communications specialist, writer, entrepreneur, and digital marketing professional from Senegal.

Can you describe your current professional role and share what inspired you to pursue this career path?

I wear several hats, but they all share a common thread: empowering people and fostering positive change.

As a multi-award-winning writer with two published books, I have a deep love for crafting compelling narratives. In my communication role, I leverage this passion to create engaging content, including captivating pictures, videos, and written articles. This allows me to connect with audiences on a deeper level and share valuable information.

However, my professional journey doesn't stop there. In 2023, I embarked on a fulfilling mission with the launch of my agri-business project with a strong social impact. Here, I combine my communication skills with a desire to support my community. My project empowers local farmers by buying their harvests and employing women for product processing. We then take these transformed products and sell them in new distribution channels, ensuring greater value for all.

The unifying thread across these roles is my dedication to helping people reach their full potential. Whether it's through captivating storytelling, fostering community growth through my communication work, or directly impacting lives through my agri-business initiative, I find immense satisfaction in helping others take that next step forward.

How has your experience at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute been? Are there any particular moments or experiences that have stood out to you?

Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute have been an incredible experience. From the moment I landed, I felt welcomed and supported. It was clear the Lehigh team genuinely cares about our well-being.

The small details truly made a big difference. Seeing the flags of our home countries displayed was a thoughtful touch that showed me Lehigh had considered every aspect of our experience.

The diversity of the program is amazing. We participate in fun activities everyday, and I've learned so much from my fellow participants about their countries and cultures. The program has also helped me grow professionally. The business advice we receive has been inspirational, and the encouragement I’ve received has motivated me to submit my idea for "Proudly from Africa" stickers and magnets. I'm excited to launch this business before leaving for Amazon.

Overall, my experience at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute has been nothing short of amazing. I'm incredibly grateful for the warm welcome, the supportive environment, and the opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally.

How do you plan to apply the knowledge and skills you've gained here to your work back home?

My time at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute has equipped me with valuable skills and knowledge that I'm eager to apply to further develop my agri-business project with social impact. My communications expertise will now highlight farmers' stories and positive community changes, leveraging one of the Fellow’s video content from Ghana to reach a wider audience.

Collaborating with diverse Fellows has shown me the power of community support. I'll replicate this by partnering with local farmers and organizations to maximize our impact. I’ve also received crucial business advice that will help me create a profitable agri-business plan with a central social impact.

Lehigh has instilled in me a strong entrepreneurial spirit, equipping me to navigate challenges and find creative solutions for my project's long-term sustainability. Beyond these specific skills, the overall experience at Lehigh has boosted my confidence and leadership abilities.

I return home with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference through my agri-business project. The impact is real, and I'm determined to expand it by leveraging the knowledge and connections I gained at Lehigh.