Leadership development for a better world
We are a mission-driven nonprofit committed to providing changemakers with the tools they need transform their communities. Thanks to our generous supporters and sponsors, we offer programs that accelerate transformation in the places of greatest need.
Meet the President & CEO,
Toyosi Ogunseye
As a 2014 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna of the Presidential Precinct, Toyosi Ogunseye brings both personal and professional insight to the organization’s strategic priorities and program development. She previously served as Senior News Editor for News and Commissioning at the BBC and was the first female editor in the 50-year history of Punch Newspaper, Nigeria’s most widely read newspaper. Across two decades in journalism and international leadership, she has remained deeply committed to empowering young people working to strengthen their communities and countries. Her work has earned more than 35 international honors, including CNN African Journalist of the Year and the ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award.
Meet the team
Karen Walker, Ph.D.
Director of Programs
Karen structures our programs. She brings 30 years of experience in public diplomacy and leadership engagement across government, academia, and national security.
Clare Pugsley
Director of Development
Clare leads engagement with individual and institutional supporters. She brings fundraising experience across higher education, healthcare, and humanitarian organizations.
Laura Douglas
Director of Advancement
Laura builds partnerships and connects supporters to the organization’s mission. She brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience with organizations including Cornell University and the World Wildlife Fund.
Andrew Needham
Director of Communications
Andrew has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit communications, donor relations, marketing, and education. He helps share our message while engaging broader communities in the organization’s mission.
Lissa Morinsky
Program Officer
Lissa brings 15 years of experience developing programs, building relationships, and creating opportunities that bring people together and strengthen communities. She is a Philadelphia native and completed her M.A. at La Salle University.
Luke Sydnor
Engagement Officer
Luke helps strengthen and connect our global network of emerging leaders. With an international background spanning Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, he brings experience in cross-cultural engagement, global research, and youth-focused initiatives.
Our History
The Presidential Precinct was founded in 2012 to cultivate the next generation of leaders who are building solutions for the most pressing challenges in their countries.
We have hosted the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative, the Global Leadership Forum, the U.S. Police Professionalization Program, the Global Pathfinder Summit, the Young Asian Diplomats Program, and more. When the Mandela Washington Fellowship ended in 2025, we launched our own successor program, the Global Democracy Fellowship.
The Presidential Precinct now offers three premier programs: the Global Democracy Fellowship, the Judicial Fellowship Program, and the Corporate Leaders Program. We also continue hosting groups from the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
Our Commitment
As a nonprofit, we depend on the generosity of supporters, sponsors, and volunteers who share our vision. We value your trust, so we practice good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.
The Presidential Precinct is a registered 501(c)(3) association rated Platinum by Candid and a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator.
Board of Directors
Strategic guidance, accountability, and partnership for our organization
Linda Klein
Senior Managing Shareholder, Baker Donelson
Teresa Longo
Executive director, Reves Center for International Affairs, William & Mary
Peter McHugh
Former CEO, My Travel LLC, Board Secretary & Treasurer
Jim B. Murray
Founder & Chair
Francois Baird
Founder, Baird’s U.S.
Allida Black
Managing Director, Allenswood Group, LLC
Stephen Mull
Vice Provost for Global Affairs, The University of Virginia
John Olajide
Founder & CEO, Axxess
Neal Piper
Founder & CEO, Luminoah, Emeritus Board Member
Jan C. Smith
Journalist
Sara Bon-Harper
Executive Director, James Monroe’s Highland
Krista Costello
Acting President & CEO, The Montpelier Foundation
Jane Kamensky
President, Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Global Advisory Council
Seasoned mentorship, connections, and support for our programs and alumni
Maria Tamburri
Dominion Energy, Virginia
Johnathan Miller
Airborne Lifeline Foundation, President; Peace Corps, Former Africa Regional Director
Dessie Nash
Market Investment Executive, Bank of America Private Bank, Chair
Lashrecse Aird
Virginia State Senator
Brett Bruen
Global Situation Room, Washington, D.C.
Ken Flechler
Chief Executive in Energy & Infrastructure, South Carolina
Riyad Insanally
Former Ambassador of Guyana to the United States, Washington, D.C.
Ghaleb Cachalia
Member of parliament, South Africa
Tony Carroll
Manchester Trade Ltd., Washington, D.C.
Safiya Ahmad Nuhu
Former Ambassador of Nigeria to Romania
Danai Chirawu
Enlighten Girls Education, Zimbabwe
Godbless Otubure
ReadyToLead Africa, Nigeria