Are you interested in hosting a young African professional in your workplace?
The Mandela Washington Fellowship offers an enriching opportunity for U.S. businesses, NGOs, and government agencies of all sizes to host a Mandela Washington Fellow for a Professional Development Experience (PDE), either in-person or hybrid format in August and September or virtually from January to March.
The Fellows are established leaders in their communities who are motivated to take their careers and positive impact to the next level and bring fresh knowledge and unique global perspectives to American workplaces. They have several years of experience in a variety of sectors and have brought a great deal of value to their Host Organizations.
The Fellowship Team works with both the Host Organization and the Fellow through an intensive and personalized matching process to ensure that the Fellow’s experience and skills align with the organization’s mission and goals. PDEs have shown that they are mutually beneficial for both the Fellow and the Host Organization.
As a Fellowship PDE host, you will:
- Benefit from having an African professional contribute to your organization with all expenses covered by the Fellowship.
- Collaborate with the Fellowship Team in selecting a Fellow who is well suited for your needs and interests.
- Develop your employees’ professional capacities by mentoring, supervising, or working with a leader from Africa.
- Learn from the Fellow’s unique perspective on your industry in their home country.
- Grow your network by connecting with other Host Organizations in your city and sector.
- Build long-term professional relationships that may lead to future professional collaborations in Africa.
- Gain unique insight into other opportunities offered by the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, including Reciprocal Exchanges offered to American professionals.
Learn more about PDEs.
PDE Success Stories
Read about how PDEs benefit both Fellows and Hosts, and read a couple of examples of how the Fellows contributed to businesses and organizations in the United States:
In-Person PDEs
Sarah Khudze, 2023 Fellowship Alumna, mentors girls and young women through her STEM programs under Reach Out to Girls, Solutions Inc., and the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences’ Innovation Hub. She tailors curricula to meet the needs of different student groups, including young children, high school graduates, and educators seeking to teach STEM concepts.
During her Professional Development Experience, Sarah assessed the clarity, relevance, and overall quality of instructional materials, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. She participated in live facilitated sessions and strengthened her report-writing skills. Since completing the PDE, she applies these skills to create curricula that are both educational and empowering, equipping students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and take ownership of their learning.
Virtual Alumni PDEs
Lusindiso Holiday, 2021 Fellowship Alumnus from South Africa, works as a Case Management Specialist focused on bullying and harassment in the workplace. He recently completed a Professional Development Experience supporting efforts to raise awareness of mental health resources.
Throughout the six-week experience, Lusindiso applied his background working with rural populations to develop surveys that identified the needs of rural nonprofit organizations.
“Lusindiso’s passion and drive made his placement exceptional. Not only did he participate in projects, but he also inspired his colleagues”
Host Supervisor, Alicia Boyd
Would you like to participate in this collaborative exchange opportunity by hosting a young African professional at your business or organization? Would you like to learn more about PDEs and how they will benefit you and your colleagues? Please contact the Mandela Washington Fellowship Team at MWFellowship@irex.org.