We started LEAD Edu with a simple promise: we’d use 100% of public donations and partnership revenue to directly fund leadership development programs.

To make our 100% model possible, we developed The Squad – a set of visionary private donors that fuels our growth.

The Squad is a 3-year membership program that covers the necessary costs of running LEAD Edu, supports our 100% model, and allows us to plan ahead and recruit the best talent. Today, we have 25 Squad members donating a minimum of US $10,000 per year. Below are a few of the incredible Squad members who make our work possible. If you’re interested in joining the Squad, please contact us.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of the Republic of Liberia in November 2005, becoming the first democratically elected female president in African history. As President from 2006-18, Madam Sirleaf worked to rebuild Liberia’s economy, education, and democratic institutions after decades of regional and civil war. Among her many accolades, Madam Sirleaf was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her non-violent struggle for the safety of women and women’s rights. At 81-years-young, Madam Sirleaf continues her activism through the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. She is also a dedicated farmer, mother and grandmother.

Sheel tyle

Sheel is the Founder & CEO of Amplo, a global venture capital firm helping build companies that matter. Amplo portfolio companies include Robinhood (democratizing access to financial services), Parsley Health (reinventing functional medicine), and Two Chairs (personalized mental health care). He is a member of the Board of Directors for Andela, most recently named the #1 most innovative company in Africa by Fast Company.

Sheel graduated from Stanford University in three years, at the age of 19. He is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and was on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2013. He holds a JD from Harvard Law School and is a Member of the State Bar of Texas.

steve miller

Steve is the CEO of Agassi Graf Holdings. He is responsible for the leadership and operation of three for-profit entities (Agassi Graf Holdings, Agassi Ventures LLC, and Stefanie Graf Ventures LLC) plus one non-profit foundation (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education).

Steve is also well known in the world of sports marketing, having served as Director of Global Sports Marketing during his 10 years at Nike. He has a B.S. in English literature and physical education from Bradley University, and a M.S. in physical education and biomechanical analysis from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.