Ousmane Kabre is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and global change-maker recognized as one of the leading voices in reimagining access to education and youth leadership across Africa.
He is the Founder and CEO of Leading Change Africa and Yam Education, Inc., two mission-driven organizations transforming education and leadership development on a global scale. As CEO of Leading Change Africa, Ousmane has led the organization to surpass its 2030 goal five years early—impacting over 1,500 young Africans through scholarships, leadership training, and mentorship programs. The organization now aims to reach one million youth by 2050 through its innovative leadership pipeline model, designed to turn young people into agents of change in their communities.
Through Yam Education, Ousmane is bridging the education gap by partnering with accredited U.S. community colleges to offer associate degrees, diplomas, and certifications to students in Africa and underserved regions globally. His vision is transforming how international students access affordable, quality education, with a special focus on health care, business, and technology pathways.
Ousmane holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In recognition of his impactful work, he was featured in the Wisconsin School of Business’s “8 to Watch Under 40” list, highlighting alumni making significant contributions in their industries.
A sought-after speaker on grit, resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation, Ousmane is a member of the National Speakers Association. His compelling personal story—from growing up in Burkina Faso to building global education ventures—has inspired audiences across the U.S., Africa, and beyond.
His clients and partners have included Ernst & Young, LLP, the Wisconsin School of Business and Madison College. Ousmane is currently leading strategic initiatives to expand Yam Education’s offerings to include an international nursing program, creating pathways for African students to become licensed and practice in the United States, helping solve the global health care workforce crisis. He is a frequent contributor to discussions on mindset, resilience, grit, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation and his work has been recognized for its transformational impact at the intersection of education, technology, and business innovation.