2024 Hilton Humanitarian Prize Cohort, Nigeria 

Timsur’s Leadership Project after the end of his VLI experience was called “Youth Mentorship Initiative: Empowering Futures.” He provided mentorship sessions and skill-building workshops for 47 local young Nigerians. Some of the skill-building workshops were facilitated by other alumni from his VLI Cohort!  

“My experience in the Virtual Leadership Institute has been both insightful and transformative. I expected to gain practical leadership skills, but what I received was much more than that. The program strengthened my understanding of leadership and emphasized emotional intelligence, conflict management, and resilience, which I hadn’t initially considered critical to effective leadership. I appreciated the interactive nature of the modules and the opportunity to apply what I learned to my Youth Mentorship Initiative. It helped me grow personally and professionally, enhancing my ability to lead with empathy and adaptability. Overall, the VLI exceeded my expectations by providing valuable leadership and personal development tools… Additionally, collaborating with experts like Juliana França Celestino and receiving coaching from Marisa Grimes reinforced the value of continuous learning and professional development. I have honed my ability to facilitate meaningful mentorship, foster resilience in young people, and create inclusive learning environments. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills and reaffirmed my commitment to empowering youth with the tools and opportunities needed to thrive.”