WHGI Platform
120 Under 40: The Next Generation of Family Planning Leaders
Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
What is 120 Under 40?
The William H. Gates Sr. Institute (WHGI) launched the 120 Under 40 platform on World Contraception Day in 2015 to recognize the achievements of emerging leaders in family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) worldwide.
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.
By elevating these leaders on an international stage, the platform makes the case that family planning and SRHR are critical to young people's health and well-being—and essential to sustainable global development.
What is 120 Under 40's Impact?
120 Under 40 leaders continue to produce groundbreaking work in their local contexts, and many have gone on to earn international recognition.
Leadership Accelerator
Through WHGI's Global Health Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator (GHLAA), 120 Under 40 winners and other early-career leaders build the leadership skills needed to dismantle SRHR barriers. To date, more than 60 leaders from the cohort have completed the training, and 11 have become trainers themselves.
Ingenuity Fund
The 120 Under 40 Ingenuity Fund gives winners both additional funding and a global platform to share their ideas. Supported by Bayer and Pathfinder International, the fund has backed 20 projects across more than 10 countries since 2019.
Meet the 120 Under 40
Select Candid Conversations Podcast Episodes
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.
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Connected WHGI Global Program
WHGI’s Next Generation Leaders Global Program invests in emerging leaders by building the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to advance the future of global health.
Recognizing that effectively empowering youth is non-negotiable in achieving a sustainable and impactful future, 120 Under 40 winners are active across WHGI's work. WHGI strives to empower young champions with the tools and training they need to create impactful change.