By Lisa Hudson
This past November, I celebrated my birthday over a delicious, chaotically fun family dinner. We enjoyed great conversation, and once my nephew went to bed and things quieted down, we took a moment to be sentimental and reflect on the year ahead. At the time, my brother-in-law was just a few weeks away from graduating college, and we were all incredibly proud of him. As we talked, I asked him about his career plans: what kind of work he hoped to do and what his future might look like. True to his thoughtful nature, he turned the question back to me. Without a second thought, I replied, "Someday, I would love to lead an organization that helps young people in Francophone West Africa have better access to education." It was an answer that had been in my heart for years, shaped by my experiences working in the region and witnessing firsthand how transformative education can be. Little did I know, "someday" would be less than three months away.
I began my career as an educator, teaching high school French. I loved being in the classroom and was thrilled by my students’ curiosity, energy, and the way they engaged with new ideas. I found so much joy in sharing my love of the French language and culture, whether it was through making crêpes together, watching funny French videos, or diving so deep into the French Revolution we almost lost our own heads! But even with all of this, there were challenges, as there are with any job. So, I decided to take my love of language, history, and culture to the next academic level by pursuing a master's degree in French. My original plan was to pursue a PhD after my master’s and teach at the university level, but throughout my graduate studies, I felt the earth begin to shift beneath me. Looking back, maybe I should have seen it coming. One of my professors once joked that with my level of determination and sense of justice (along with my tendency to “argue” with him about everything), I was probably better suited for a career closer to politics than academia. At the time, I laughed it off, but the more I immersed myself in international issues, the more I realized that he had a point. I loved teaching, but I wanted to expand my impact beyond individual students to something larger, something global.
When I came back from Grad School in France, I began working as a researcher for an organization that fights human trafficking in a new and innovative way. However, I quickly realized that I am the kind of person who thrives on collaboration, so spending my days alone at a computer was definitely not where I could make my biggest impact. Seeking a role that blended my love of French, my desire for teamwork, and a meaningful mission, I joined the National Democratic Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening democracy worldwide. The institute is where I would spend the next three years, learning invaluable lessons about creating long-term impact by investing in systems and structures that empower communities for the future. I worked on projects across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea. Throughout this time, I had a few cultural growing pains, but I quickly learned to love working in Francophone West Africa. The people, the culture, and the deep sense of community create a vibrancy and potential in the region that is truly inspiring!
While I loved my time at NDI, I also knew that one day, I wanted to be part of an organization that provided both the tangible and the intangible. I wanted to be part of something that not only built the systems and structures necessary for long-term success, but also offered practical tools for daily life. When I came across a job posting for an organization that was meeting immediate needs while also creating lasting change, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up! The more I looked into the Mali Rising Foundation I began to see the same vibrancy and potential that I see throughout the region in which it’s working. Mali Rising is not just building schools; it’s building futures!
Joining the Mali Rising Foundation feels like both a calling and a homecoming for me. It is a privilege to be part of an organization rooted in the belief that education is the cornerstone of lasting change. Every classroom created is more than just walls and a roof. It is a gateway to opportunity. Mali Rising understands that education is about more than just access. It is about quality, support, and sustainability. Through its programs, the foundation trains teachers, equipping them with the tools to inspire and challenge students. It empowers alumni, ensuring that education is not just a chapter in a student’s life, but a foundation for a lifetime of growth. It creates opportunities for girls to attend school, breaking down barriers that have held them back for generations. It also engages with entire communities, reinforcing the idea that education is not just a personal pursuit, but a collective investment in a stronger, more resilient future.
The work of Mali Rising goes beyond the classroom, strengthening the social fabric of communities and ensuring that education is not just available, but truly transformative. That is what makes this mission so powerful! I am honored to support the incredible work being done in Mali and to collaborate with the dedicated supporters, staff, and partners who make this mission possible. Together, we can ensure that education continues to open doors, transform lives, and create opportunities for generations to come.
