Greetings Global Fellow,  

 

Over the past six years, this network has been driven by a clear purpose: to create the conditions for fellows to connect, collaborate and act so they can have an even greater impact transforming their communities. 

 

To achieve this purpose, we have been intentionally creating opportunities—and building the infrastructure—for engagement across cultures, generations and regions. We believe meaningful collaboration is built on trusted relationships, language justice, belonging and investments that make it easier for fellows to find one another, share knowledge and strengthen partnerships. 

 

In this spirit, we're excited to introduce the new Global Fellows Network (GFN) Directory (or “Fellows Directory”), an important milestone in our journey together. More than a searchable directory, it is a multilingual resource available in English, Spanish and Portuguese that reflects our belief that language should never be a barrier to connection. 

 

Designed to help fellows discover one another, build relationships, exchange ideas and identify opportunities for collaboration, the directory is an investment in relationships that make the GFN so powerful.  

 

We invite you to reconnect with familiar faces, discover new colleagues and continue building connections among more than 1,200 fellows from across the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Southern Africa. 

We're also thrilled to debut a refreshed GFN website! The updated site offers a richer experience with new videos, photos and stories that celebrate the leadership, impact and diverse experiences of fellows around the world.

This June, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation hosted the inaugural Every Child Thrives Festival at the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago during its opening week. The Festival brought together more than 500 youth, educators, artists, community leaders and changemakers from around the world to imagine — and build — a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. 

 

Through a partnership with IREX, GFN was proud to support the participation of more than 50 international fellows representing communities across Southern Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond. Their voices, lived experiences and leadership enriched conversations throughout the Festival, demonstrating the power of bringing together diverse perspectives to address shared challenges and opportunities. 

 

Moments like the Every Child Thrives Festival serve as a reminder that our shared vision of a brighter future for children and families is only possible when we work together. Check out the blog to learn more about what emerged for fellows at the Festival. 

In October 2025, five fellows from Southern Africa attended the 27th annual International Leadership Association conference together in Prague. The event offered an opportunity to build their leadership skills, engage with other global leaders and reflect on how being a fellow has impacted their lives. One of the fellows, Bongiwe Mayiwase Dlamini, from Eswatini, said, “The workshops gave me the courage to stand up for what I want to do in my community.” 

How to Use the New GFN Directory 

The GFN Directory is a shared, multilingual searchable database designed to support connection and relationship-building across the network. On the new GFN website, you’ll find a guide to help you search the directory by region, focus area or cohort/class. You can also update your profile, including your photo, contact information and social media profiles. Take a few minutes to explore the directory today and help us spread the word about this exciting new resource with fellows in your network! 

Loved getting to connect with fellows who attended ECT Fest? Continue the conversations with fellows around the world by visiting OpenChange.

 

W.K. Kellogg Foundation
One Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek, MI 49017