WHGI Global Program
Next Generation Leaders
Strengthening the next generation of population, reproductive health, & gender equity experts
The William H. Gates Sr. Institute (WHGI) Global Program on Next Generation Leaders strengthens the pipeline of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equity leaders through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
The program connects and coordinates youth-centered and youth-driven platforms and initiatives that elevate emerging leaders across disciplines and geographies, fostering collaboration, skill-building, and leadership development.
WHGI integrates meaningful youth engagement across its work, recognizing young people as essential partners in advancing sustainable progress in SRHR and gender equity.
Contact Us ↗
Connect with WHGI's faculty and staff today to learn more or get involved with this Global Program.
Explore Youth Engagement
120 Under 40
From 2016 to 2022, with support from Bayer, WHGI assembled a cohort of 120 outstanding young leaders from around the globe.
Today, 120 Under 40 is a network working to close gaps in global health leadership through positive disruption, cross-continent mentorship, networking, and training.
ICFP Youth Trailblazers
The ICFP Youth Trailblazer Award aims to amplify and highlight the voices of young leaders (aged 18-35) from around the world in the family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights field.
ICFP Youth Trailblazer Award winners play key roles in the planning and implementation of the ICFP conference and platform year-round.
ICFP Early Career Researchers
The ICFP Early Career Researcher Award is an investment in long-term leadership.
The 80 awardees who brought their expertise to ICFP 2025—representing more than 40 countries and dozens of languages—are still collaborating and sharing knowledge with each other today.
Featured Institute Experts
Advocacy and Communications Manager
Natalie is the Advocacy and Communications Manager at WHGI, where she leads the development of high-impact storytelling, strategic communications, and community engagement initiatives to elevate the voices of key stakeholders in family planning and reproductive health.
Advocacy and Communications Manager
Natalie is the Advocacy and Communications Manager at WHGI, where she leads the development of high-impact storytelling, strategic communications, and community engagement initiatives to elevate the voices of key stakeholders in family planning and reproductive health.
Doctoral Student
Jordan Freeman, MPH, is a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. At WHGI, Jordan manages youth-focused elements of the International Conference on Family Planning and the NextGen Initiative.
Doctoral Student
Jordan Freeman, MPH, is a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. At WHGI, Jordan manages youth-focused elements of the International Conference on Family Planning and the NextGen Initiative.
ICFP Youth Co-chair
Innocent Grant is a public health professional with a background in clinical medicine, gender & development studies. He is dedicated to educating adolescents and young adults on HIV/AIDS,Family Planning, sexual and reproductive health, and rights.
ICFP Youth Co-chair
Innocent Grant is a public health professional with a background in clinical medicine, gender & development studies. He is dedicated to educating adolescents and young adults on HIV/AIDS,Family Planning, sexual and reproductive health, and rights.
Empowering Young Champions: Pioneering Youth Engagement for a Brighter Future
Empowering Young Champions
Our rich history boasts a legacy of success in recognizing, nurturing, and applauding the endeavors of young champions. This legacy is echoed in the myriad fruitful collaborations we've forged with youth across our initiatives.
Prioritizing Meaningful Engagement
Anchored in our unwavering commitment, meaningfully engaging youth remains paramount for our institute's trajectory. Our dedication to shaping upcoming generations of leaders and fortifying emerging youth-driven projects stands firm.
Forging New Horizons
Our journey doesn't stop here. We're resolute in our pursuit of fostering novel partnerships and innovative funding pathways, systematically fostering a network of supporters dedicated to advancing the Next Generation Leaders program.
Platforms Within This Global Program ↗
International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP)
Family Planning News Network (FPNN)
Global Health Leadership Accelerator (GHLAA)
PFRH Summer Institute
120 Under 40
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