Meet Elizabeth Elango | CEO and Head of School – Global Village Project

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Elango and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I’ve found that it is valuable to be a hard worker in order to achieve success. Hard work is necessary but not sufficient. It is also important to be consistent. Other habits:
1. Know your ‘why.’ Being grounded in your sense of purpose will sustain you in the long term.

2. Don’t plan your career and your life so much that there is no room for providence, serendipity or luck.

3. Be prepared to walk through whatever door opens. Luck favors the prepared. Accept when doors close; they are guiding you to the right ones.

4. Skill will take you far. Character will take you further. Don’t step over others to get to where you are going; there is enough sky for all the birds!

5. Have fun! Establish balance. Having a career is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself.

6. Know when it’s time to leave a place even if you don’t know where you are going next; the two are not necessarily related.

7.Embrace your ignorance of certain things and use it as an opportunity to grow and to rely on others
8. Be impeccable with your word and reliable with your behavior.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a non-profit professional, leader and lifter of people. People are my passion and joy is my super power. I am honored by my roles as leader and the ability to inspire willing followers. I love to see ideas come to life and grow. I enjoy seeing people achieve things they did not think they could. I am fulfilled by seeing my teams succeed.

I have over 20 years of experience working in global organizations. Born and raised in Cameroon, and educated in the US, I’ve traveled the world extensively (over 50 countries) and have worked in over 30 of Africa’s 54 countries. Through those experiences I have gained a considerable understanding of the power and richness of diversity when it is properly leveraged.

In my current role, I lead the only school for refugee girls in the US. Previously, as CEO at JA Africa I was honored to work with young people across Africa in shaping their futures and the future of the continent. Prior to that, I worked for 15 years at Heifer International, leaving there as Vice-President of Africa programs.

I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from Kennesaw State University, and have a Masters in African Studies from Yale University. I was a Fulbright Scholar in Zanzibar and worked in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania for GlobaLearn, an educational organization. I started my career at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, GA.

I am committed to development and I believe that three things – choices, voices and opportunities- are key to changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

My commitment to social causes is testament not just in my work abroad, but also in the US where I’ve served on the Boards of Directors of the Arkansas Foodbank and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.

I started my academic journey in a school with a dirt floor in Africa and my last school was the hallowed halls of the Ivy League. I believe in the power of education to change lives and it is out of this belief and experience that I am inspired to make education accessible and equitable for others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Atlanta. This city welcomed me as a 16 year old immigrant just arriving in the US to go to college. Now, 20 years later, i have traveled all over the world and lived in different places and am happy that Atlanta has welcomed me back. When my friends visit, certain places are standard components of the itinerary I build for them: The High Museum, Fernbank Museum – if they have kids. My kids and I are big performance people – I’m always up for a performance and my regular go-tos are the Alliance Theatre and Synchronicity Theatre. Sushi is a staple food for us. Atlanta has great sushi. My kids love Ru Sans so we eat there a lot or order in.
I live in Grant Park, so I’m partial to that park for out door space. A picnic or just a walk in the park on a day when the weather is pleasant is great for the soul.
Catching a movie at Madison Yarks is always a good idea. Hitting almost any restaurant at The Beacon for drinks is a nice night out. F0r a quick grab and Go, I highly recommend Krog Street Market, which has a great variety of cuisines. Suzy Siu’s bao buns always satisfies a hunger, as does a bahn-mi sandwich at Pho Nam.
When you are fully satiated, walk it off along the belt line.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is dedicated to my community at Global Village Project, which is a school for refugee girls in Decatur. I am honored to be a member of this community of people who so passionately believe in the mission of education equity for refugee girls. I am fortunate to lead an amazing team of staff, I love the volunteers who bolster our work, I appreciate the donors who fund the work and provide us the resources we need to carry out the mission. Every member of our commu nity is valuable. Most of all, shoutout to our students, who are our source of inspiration. In these girls I see so much of myself and I am truly honored to be a part of their lives.

Website: www.globalvillageproject.org

Instagram: @elizabethelango