Balkissa Almahamoudou Maiga is the Founder and Executive Director of Emancipate HOPE, a dream turned mission born from her personal experience with the transformative power of education. Raised in marginalized circumstances, Balkissa was fortunate to receive support and access to education, an opportunity that opened doors for her and allowed her to travel the world. Today, she is committed to giving back by ensuring that other children—especially girls and those in underserved communities—have the same opportunity to change their lives.

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Balkissa holds a Master’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS University of London. During her studies, she interned at REDRESS, an NGO focused on supporting survivors of torture.

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A passionate advocate for empowering women and girls, Balkissa volunteered with several youth organizations prior to founding Emancipate HOPE, contributing to the development of her community.

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In addition to her work at Emancipate HOPE, Balkissa began her professional career at the SYAMA Gold Mine in Mali in 2019, where she currently serves as the Supply Chain Contracts Administrator. She also volunteers as the General Secretary of the Association of Women in Syama.

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Through Emancipate HOPE, Balkissa aims to equip future generations with the tools, resources, and support they need to become leaders, innovators, and change-makers, building a brighter and more equitable future for all.