With a lifelong commitment to youth empowerment and social transformation, Wokie Mai Weah has built a career grounded in purpose, vision and service. As president and chief executive officer of Wokie Weah LLC, she leads an organization that fosters opportunity for young people in Liberia, many of whom have been impacted by the country’s civil war. Through this platform, she promotes entrepreneurship by operating a store that features goods from Liberia and other parts of West Africa. The initiative creates space for young artisans to share their work, gain economic independence and shape their own narratives. She also curates and distributes educational materials and uses photography to document and elevate Liberia’s rich history and culture, challenging stereotypes and reframing global perceptions.
Ms. Weah holds a Master of Education in education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Adelphi University. Her academic training has shaped her leadership philosophy, which emphasizes resilience, inclusion and intergenerational collaboration. Grounded in the belief that access to education and opportunity are essential to building sustainable communities, she has dedicated her life to ensuring the voices of young people are heard and valued. Her formal studies provided the foundation for a career focused on turning complex social challenges into opportunities for growth and change.
Before launching her consulting and retail venture, Ms. Weah was president of Youthprise, where she redefined how organizations engage with youth by forging partnerships across local and international sectors. Her work prioritized authentic youth engagement and long-term investment in community development. By designing and executing strategies that reinvested resources into underserved communities, she helped Youthprise become a trusted voice in the broader conversation on youth equity and innovation. Her leadership was shaped by her understanding that sustainable progress often involves navigating uncertainty and embracing difficult conversations.
Ms. Weah has also held the position of senior vice president at the National Youth Leadership Council. There, she refined her approach to cross-generational engagement and leadership development. Her ability to build trust among diverse stakeholders led to programs that empowered young people while elevating the role of adult allies in community change efforts. She viewed controversy and complexity not as barriers but as opportunities to listen, reflect and act.
Ms. Weah’s early work with the United Nations Children’s Fund in Liberia shaped her understanding of the long-term impact of conflict on youth. In her role as education project officer, she developed programming that addressed the educational needs of children living through trauma and displacement. This formative experience became a touchstone in her subsequent work and reinforced her belief in education as a powerful tool for healing and hope.
Ms. Weah has received multiple honors recognizing her leadership and impact, including awards from the Charities Review Council and General Mills. She is also a respected member of several civic and professional organizations, including the We Care Foundation, V3 Sports Minnesota and Bridgemakers Minnesota. Her work reflects a deep commitment to social justice, intergenerational mentorship and community engagement. As she steps into her next chapter, she is focused on mentoring others, sharing the lessons she has gathered across her journey, and continuing to uplift the communities she serves with wisdom, integrity and purpose.
