On January 21, 2026, it was announced that our Mandela Washington Fellowship Iowa 2022 Alumnus, Freedom Mukanga, has won the 2025 Leadership Impact Award! This prestigious award is given annually to recognize the individual achievements of an outstanding member of the Alumni Network who demonstrates leadership in advancing the Fellowship’s goals and strengthening relationships with American partners.

Freedom is the first from Zimbabwe to win, the first from the Leadership in Business track to win, and the first from a University of Iowa cohort to win! We are proud to have Freedom among our outstanding Fellowship Alumni and look forward to continuing alongside him, and all our Alumni, to strengthen the connections between Iowa and the world.

View the official announcement as well as the official winner announcement video.