Fund to support alumni in their ongoing leadership journey
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2026) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) is proud to launch the McCain Global Leaders (MGL) Impact Fund to support MGL alumni in the implementation of community-based projects that will impact global democracy, human rights, public health, and humanitarian assistance.
The fund will help cultivate character-driven leaders around the world by providing MGL alumni with access to financial capital and the opportunity to partner with the McCain Institute to provide expertise that will strengthen the impact and longevity of projects.
“The McCain Institute is proud to take this next step in supporting the important and change-making work McCain Global Leaders have around the world,” said McCain Institute Assistant Director for Global Leadership Scott Nemeth. “Through the MGL Impact Fund, we will partner with these rising leaders to create real-world positive impact in critical areas such as democracy, human rights, and public health. These areas are critical in providing both stability and opportunity in a global community that faces high levels of change and challenge. We look forward to working hand in hand with the Impact Fund recipients to ensure long-term scalability and sustainability of projects.”
The 2026 MGL Impact Fund recipients are:
- Zyh Akumawah – 2022 MGL from Cameroon
- Gor Badalyan – 2024 MGL from Armenia
- Enock Nkulanga – 2023 MGL from Rwanda
- Deodat Persaud – 2024 MGL from Guyana
Projects include supporting public health education and pre-natal care in Cameroon, conducting youth leadership development trainings in Armenia, sharing constitutional, civic engagement, and voting rights awareness trainings with an indigenous tribe in rural Guyana, and supporting values-based training for young leaders in partnership with LeadMinds Africa in Uganda.
“Our project, ‘Mama’s Lifeline’ will drastically transform the lives of 100 vulnerable pregnant women in Bamenda, Cameroon,” said MGL Impact Fund recipient Dr. Zyh Akumawah. “With free comprehensive maternal and child health care, we are bringing hope, healing, and laughter back into their hearts. We are deeply honored to be supported by the McCain Institute as we give these mothers and their babies the love and chance they deserve.”
For more information on the McCain Global Leaders Program, click HERE.