The future is being built by young leaders whose determination and tenacity refuse to be limited by circumstance.

Francine LeFrak recently returned from Kigali, Rwanda, where she spent time with an extraordinary group of students at the 2026 LeFrak-Friedberg Africa Scholars Summit. Through the work of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation, this gathering highlighted the power of education, leadership, and women’s empowerment on a global stage.

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What she witnessed was not only academic excellence, but something far more powerful: transformation.

This Summit, held in partnership with Bridge2Rwanda, brought together a dynamic community of scholars, global leaders, and partners committed to investing in Africa’s future. It created space for meaningful dialogue around leadership, education, and opportunity, while also amplifying the voices of the students themselves.

Together, the scholars described a profound shift in identity and purpose. One student shared that “being named a LeFrak-Friedberg Scholar… transformed my identity from that of a student observer to an active participant in my community,” while another reflected that “being called a scholar has really changed the way I see myself, believing in the potential that you have and being accountable as an outstanding scholar in every endeavor.” These are not small changes. They represent a redefinition of self grounded in confidence, responsibility, and action.

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Others spoke to how the program expanded not only their mindset, but their vision for the future. “It has been eye-opening, not just to become visionary or goal-oriented, but to be futuristic… to create reliable solutions for every challenge,” one scholar explained. Another added, “being named a scholar has significantly strengthened my confidence and sense of purpose. It made me realize that my ambition and potential are recognized at a broader scale.” This recognition becomes a catalyst, unlocking both belief and ambition.

That shift is also deeply practical. As one student shared, “before I used to think of myself as just a student… now I am intentional in my decisions to reflect leadership and impact.” With that intentionality comes ownership, a commitment to making choices that align with purpose and contribution.

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And perhaps the most powerful throughline was this: “background never determines your future. You have to dream big, step out of your comfort zone, and make the most of every opportunity.” It is a mindset that reflects resilience, possibility, and the kind of leadership that does not wait for change, but creates it.

These reflections underscore a central belief of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation: empowerment begins with access, but it is sustained through confidence, mentorship, and opportunity.

For Francine LeFrak, supporting this work is deeply personal. Her philanthropic mission is rooted in expanding access to education, workforce development, and advancing women’s empowerment by helping individuals build lives of purpose, confidence, and leadership. While the Summit included both young men and women, its impact on women’s leadership and opportunity was especially profound, reinforcing the importance of investing in women as catalysts for global change.

The program also featured a distinguished group of speakers from the United States, including Sheila Klehm, Tnyetta Mitchell, and Adam Knight of Knight Fine Art. Each shared their professional journeys and challenged scholars to think boldly about their futures, emphasizing resilience, innovation, and leadership.

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What emerged throughout the Rwanda Summit was a shared understanding: leadership is not defined by title, but by action and intention. These scholars are not waiting for change. They are becoming it.

At the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation, we believe empowerment is infrastructure. When individuals, especially young women, begin to see themselves with confidence and purpose, the impact extends far beyond the individual. It strengthens communities, drives innovation, and creates lasting, generational change.

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What was evident in Kigali, Rwanda was more than promise. It was momentum.

Momentum that will ripple across communities, industries, and borders. Momentum driven by a new generation committed to lifting others, expanding access, and redefining what leadership looks like.

This is a model for global impact. One rooted in partnership, driven by purpose, and designed to scale.

The future is not something we wait for. It is something we invest in, nurture, and build together.

And in Rwanda, through the vision of Francine LeFrak and the work of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation, that future is already well underway.

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