Sobel Aziz Ngom is a dedicated social entrepreneur and a strong advocate for youth leadership and the transformative power of education. For more than 15 years, he has worked to expand opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and shape the future of their communities. Using his time, talent, and network, Sobel brings together leaders and organizations to advance youth empowerment, inclusion, education, and emancipation.

He began his career with Ashoka Changemakers, supporting over 2,000 young African social entrepreneurs. In 2014, he founded Social Change Factory, a civic leadership center in Senegal that grew to reach millions across seven African countries. He later co-created the Youth Consortium of Senegal, an alliance of 18 organizations amplifying youth voices in national programs and policies, directly impacting over 200,000 young people.

Sobel has advised national and global leaders, mobilized significant resources for youth-led initiatives, and represented African youth at major international forums. His impact has earned recognition from world figures including Barack Obama, Ursula von der Leyen, Bill Gates, and, most recently, Élisabeth Borne, the French Prime Minister.

At 34, Sobel holds degrees in Communication Science from SupdeCo Business School in Dakar and Civic Leadership from Wagner College in New York. As Tostan’s CEO, he brings a steadfast belief that lasting change takes root when people have the knowledge, and collective power to shape their own future.

Kadji Diop is Tostan’s Chief Finance and Operations Officer. Kadji has over twenty years of experience working in organizational development, finance and accounting in the U.S. and Africa. She comes with a proven track record in driving positive change in financial processes and systems across organizations to maximize revenue generation and profitability. She also comes with demonstrated expertise in strengthening internal controls to improve forecasting, investments, financial reporting, cost accounting, and overall performance of operations. She provides direction and leadership to direct daily responsibilities, and ensures all established policies and procedures are followed. She has a proven ability to function effectively with multiple host-country counterparts in the public and NGO sectors, and in Foundations.

Before joining Tostan, she was the Chief Operating Officer at SAGCOT (Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania) Centre Ltd. from 2016 to 2019. She also headed the Finance & Accounting Departments at TrustAfrica, a Pan-African Foundation incorporated in the U.S. and headquartered in Senegal. Between 2011 and 2013, she played a major role in the establishment of Amref-West Africa in Senegal while she managed the administration and the finances.

Yussuf Sané is Tostan’s Programs Coordinator, with a strong background in human rights education and sustainable community-led development. He is a WISE Emerging Leaders Fellow and a FAF Friendship Ambassador. Yussuf holds a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Sheffield and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Security Studies from the University of Bradford, Department of Peace Studies.

In his current role, Yussuf helps align Tostan’s program with the strategy and fosters collaboration to strengthen impact across the countries where Tostan works. He previously served as National Coordinator in Guinea-Bissau, leading community empowerment partnerships with more than 200 communities, building strategic partnerships with government and civil society, and promoting learning exchanges with NGOs.

Yussuf also contributed to the Tostan Training Center in Senegal from 2016 to 2018, supporting training with youth and religious leaders, NGOs, and development partners. Prior to joining Tostan, he worked with the West Africa Civil Society Institute in Ghana, advancing knowledge-sharing and capacity development for civil society organizations across Africa.