EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Ltd

26/05/2026

27/04/2026

In a moment of global volatility, the progress made for girls and women over decades feels more precarious than ever. Gatherings like this one matter.

EMpower’s Deborah Leaver will be at the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia, joining over 6,500 advocates across sessions and conversations dedicated to protecting and advancing what has taken so long to build.

For EMpower, being in the room has always mattered. The strategies shaped here, the connections made, the perspectives that find each other, these ripple far beyond the conference itself, into the communities and young people we work alongside every day.

is more than a conference. It’s a space to reflect, regroup, and recommit, together.

If you’re attending, find Deborah and say hello. She’d love to connect. ✨

17/04/2026

is right around the corner! 💫

What does the future of funding look like?
How do we better invest in young people?
And what does philanthropy need to do differently?

At a time when how we fund, support, and stay accountable to young people is being re-examined across the sector, these are some of the questions we’re taking to Oxford. 💭

We’re looking forward to a week of conversations with Nisha Dhawan, Adam Heuman, and David Crook representing EMpower, alongside our Board members Aleem Jivraj, Swatee Deepak, Reggie Dodge and Linda Weisert.

Here’s where you’ll find EMpower and the conversations we are part of.

100x Impact, Marshall Institute, Co-Impact, Dasra, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), TheSidebar, Fòs Feminista, Solutions Insights Lab, Antarang Foundation, Waves for Change, Global Fund for Children, Global Fund for Women, FRIDA | The Young Feminist Fund, Fund for Global Human Rights, Global Greengrants Fund, Thousand Currents. 💛

31/03/2026

Invitamos a los jóvenes de Arequipa, Perú, a inscribirse en el programa ‘Salud Mental en Voz Alta’, donde podrán desarrollar habilidades en comunicación, storytelling y oratoria para promover el diálogo y la acción en torno a la salud mental juvenil.

…..

We invite young people from Arequipa, Peru, to apply to the ‘Mental Health Out Loud’ program, where they can build communication, storytelling, and public speaking skills to promote dialogue and action around youth mental health.

12/01/2026

If we had a gazing ball to peer into EMpower’s future, what might it show? 🔮

Maybe we don’t need one. We have something better...a brilliant and thoughtful team shaping who we are becoming, every day.

In this short video, colleagues from across EMpower share their bold, hopeful, and sometimes surprising visions for our future, all grounded in what matters most: young people.

Take a look and tell us in the comments what you hope your organisation is becoming.

23/12/2025

As we wrap up the year and pause for a short break, we’re taking a moment to look back at what 2025 held.

Over the past year, we shared glimpses from our across geographies, formats, and communities. From rooms filled with conversation to quiet moments of listening and reflection, from youth-led spaces to time spent with partners, donors, and grantees, each gathering reminded us why showing up matters.

This reel is just a small snapshot of the places we went, the people we learned from, and the conversations that stayed with us. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Here’s to all that we’ve built, and all that’s still to come. ✨

28/11/2025

Today, we share a very special THANK YOU! 💛✨

After 21 years at EMpower, and six as CEO, Cynthia Steele officially concludes her tenure today.

From being employee #3 in 2005 to leading a global organisation of 46 staff and 165 grantee partners registered across six countries, Cynthia’s influence on EMpower has been profound. Under her leadership, youth-centred strategies, long-term partnership, cross-learning, and an unwavering focus on girls and young people became core to who we are, not just what we do.

But what matters most is the culture and community she nurtured: one defined by learning, humility, fairness, excellence, and integrity. Cynthia often says that the greatest joy of her role has been the people: the donors and Directors, the brilliant team, our grantee partners, and the young people who spark hope for generational change.

Jeremy Llewelyn, outgoing Chair of EMpower’s Global Executive Committee, shared: “I will always treasure the gift of her limitless time, intellect, leadership talent and energy — not only during her time as CEO, but over the last 21 years. What an amazing career it has been.”

Nisha Dhawan, incoming President and CEO (effective December 1, 2025), added: “To learn from Cynthia has been such a huge privilege. She leads with both rigour and heart, and has built an organisation where people feel seen and valued. I am humbled to follow her and excited for the chapter ahead.”

Although today is her last day as CEO, Cynthia will continue to support EMpower as Strategic Advisor through FY26, championing our mental health work and staying deeply connected to the community she helped build.

Over the years, we’ve shared countless moments with Cynthia, here are just a few glimpses from that journey.

Thank you, Cynthia, for your leadership, your belief in young people, and your lasting imprint on EMpower. ❤️

28/11/2025

Today, we share a very special thank you. 💟✨

After 21 years at EMpower, and six as CEO, Cynthia Steele officially concludes her tenure today.

From being employee #3 in 2005 to leading a global organisation of 46 staff and 165 grantee partners registered across six countries, Cynthia’s influence on EMpower has been profound. Under her leadership, youth-centred strategies, long-term partnership, cross-learning, and an unwavering focus on girls and young people became core to who we are, not just what we do.

But what matters most is the culture and community she nurtured: one defined by learning, humility, fairness, excellence, and integrity. Cynthia often says that the greatest joy of her role has been the people: the donors and Directors, the brilliant team, our grantee partners, and the young people who spark hope for generational change.

Jeremy Llewelyn, outgoing Chair of EMpower’s Global Executive Committee, shared: “I will always treasure the gift of her limitless time, intellect, leadership talent and energy — not only during her time as CEO, but over the last 21 years. What an amazing career it has been.”

Nisha Dhawan, incoming President and CEO (effective December 1, 2025), added: “To learn from Cynthia has been such a huge privilege. She leads with both rigour and heart, and has built an organisation where people feel seen and valued. I am humbled to follow her and excited for the chapter ahead.”

Although today is her last day as CEO, Cynthia will continue to support EMpower as Strategic Advisor through FY26, championing our mental health work and staying deeply connected to the community she helped build.

Over the years, we’ve shared countless moments with Cynthia, here are just a few glimpses from that journey.

Thank you, Cynthia, for your leadership, your belief in young people, and your lasting imprint on EMpower. ❤️

28/11/2025

Today, we share a very special thank you. 💛

After 21 years at EMpower, and six as CEO, Cynthia Steele officially concludes her tenure today.

From being employee #3 in 2005 to leading a global organisation of 46 staff and 165 grantee partners registered across six countries, Cynthia’s influence on EMpower has been profound. Under her leadership, youth-centred strategies, long-term partnership, cross-learning, and an unwavering focus on girls and young people became core to who we are, not just what we do.

But what matters most is the culture and community she nurtured: one defined by learning, humility, fairness, excellence, and integrity. Cynthia often says that the greatest joy of her role has been the people: the donors and Directors, the brilliant team, our grantee partners, and the young people who spark hope for generational change.

Jeremy Llewelyn, outgoing Chair of EMpower’s Global Executive Committee, shared: “I will always treasure the gift of her limitless time, intellect, leadership talent and energy — not only during her time as CEO, but over the last 21 years. What an amazing career it has been.”

Nisha Dhawan, incoming President and CEO (effective December 1, 2025), added: “To learn from Cynthia has been such a huge privilege. She leads with both rigour and heart, and has built an organisation where people feel seen and valued. I am humbled to follow her and excited for the chapter ahead.”

Although today is her last day as CEO, Cynthia will continue to support EMpower as Strategic Advisor through FY26, championing our mental health work and staying deeply connected to the community she helped build.

Over the years, we’ve shared countless moments with Cynthia, here are just a few glimpses from that journey.

Thank you, Cynthia, for your leadership, your belief in young people, and your lasting imprint on EMpower. ✨ 💫

02/10/2025

In a heartfelt conversation with EMpower’s Director of Development (USA), Robin Barnes, Leadership Council Member Barcinski reflects on why EMpower’s model resonates so deeply with him. From his roots in Brazil to visiting grantee partner Abraço Campeão (Embracing Champions), Alex shares how EMpower offers a powerful solution to a common philanthropic dilemma—how to give meaningfully and with confidence. His story underscores the importance of proximity, trust, and a collective commitment to supporting youth-led change in emerging markets.

Read the conversation: Link in Interview highlights

27/09/2025

When finance meets impact, possibilities multiply. From EM cycles to empowering youth—our salon dinner with Goldman Sachs sparked bold ideas for brighter futures. ✨