2026 Alumni Network Gathering

From Learning to Leadership: Young Public Servants Scaling Youth Transitions and Inclusive Growth

2 - 3 June 2026

Monrovia, Liberia

Day 1: Program

  • Moderator of the Day

    • Albert Samukai (Liberia), Chief Program Officer, National Road Fund of Liberia

  • Join us live on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/epleaders

    Access the full program of the opening ceremony here

  • Lunch has been shifted to 13:30 to 14:30

  • Panel Focus: How governments and programmes can ensure diverse young professionals enter, stay, and grow into leadership roles within public service

    Virtual Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b09cJhZyTgqIX2KX2I9v5Q

    Panelists:

    • Deputy Director General  of the Civil Service Agency of Liberia

    • Chair of the Kenya Public Service Commission

    • Amb. Daintowon Paybayee, Former ED, National Commission on Persons with Disabilities 

    • Lawrence Nii Kotey Neequaye (Ghana)

    Moderator:

    • Linda Harawa, Country Director, EPL Malawi

  • A quick stretch before the next session

  • Session Focus: Interactive consultation with the Future of Development Cooperation Coalition, where alumni share lived public-sector experience on what it takes for institutions to deliver and how development cooperation can better support long-term state capability (devcoalition.org).

    The highly interactive discussion will focus on state capability, implementation, public leadership, institutional trust, and how development cooperation can better support long-term institutional strengthening and public sector effectiveness.

    Virtual Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_eqNnpIXTxG2u2Y0HvErzw

    Speakers:

    • Alexia Latortue, former United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Trade and Development 

    • Abigail Kajumba, transitioning Executive Director, EPL

    Moderator:

    • Juliet Amoah, Country Director, EPL Ghana

  • Session Focus: Sharing tips on storytelling as EPL Alumni Network

    Virtual Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/51Iz9CRlQmezcppZ-IG8xQ

    Moderator:

    • Emily Stanger Sfeile, Interim Executive Director, EPL


  • Closing announcements

    • Sadia Stubblefield, Chair, Organizing Committee & Deputy Director for Programs, PYPP

  • Networking time before the Bonfire. Location to be identified.

    During this time Country Directors will meet with the Interim Executive Director.

  • Join us for an evening of brilliant fun!

Day 2: Program

  • Moderator of the Day

    • Albert Samukai (Liberia), Chief  Program Officer, National Road Fund of Liberia

  • Opening prayers

    • Mayamiko Kenamu (Malawi)

    • (Kenya)

    Welcome remarks

    • Emily Stanger Sfeile, Interim Executive Director, EPL

    Farewell message

    • Abigail Kajumba, transitioning Executive Director, EPL

  • Presentation of Public Service Fellowship Model, Key Achievements and Impact Across Countries/ Country Reflections, Lessons and Emerging Trends

    Virtual Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IENr3zQDS9m4BJjnSno_zQ

    Speakers: 

    • Winnie Shella, Programs and Learning Associate, EPL Global

    • Khwima Kondowe, Senior Programs and Learning Officer, Malawi

    Followed by a session on Communicating Our Impact Stories 

    • Emily Stanger Sfeile and Richard Okai

  • Enjoy a stretch and a chat with leaders from across the room

  • EPL Strategy 2026–2030, Key Lessons from the Previous Strategy and Future Priorities

    Virtual Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wfkb6Yb2RfCYSmCtDJpioQ

    Speaker:

    • Richard Nii Okai Okai, Programs and Learning Director, EPL Global

    Breakout Exercise: Plenary Feedback and Recommendations for the New Strategy

    5- 6 Groups with Leader (Staff) and Note Taker (Alumni)

    Moderator: 

    • Robert Fefegula, Country Director, EPL Sierra Leone

  • Scaling Impact through Innovation in Youth Public Service Leadership

    Plenary Discussion and Audience Reflections

    Virtual Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1-kwoffLRmi7V3FjtT8DTQ

    Panelists:

    • Arthur Chibwana, Chair of the Civil Service Commission, Malawi

    • Dickens Thunde, Malawi Governance Chair

    • Dr. Elizabeth Obeng- Yeboah, Public Service Commission Repl, Ghana.

    • Laramand  Nyonton, Deputy Minister for TVET, MOYS Liberia

    • Millicient Kargo, Principal Secretary, Sierra Leone

    • Stephani Ndiku (Kenya)

      Moderator: 

      Ciata Stevens d’Almeida, Executive Director, PYPP


    Moderator: 

    • Ciata Stevens d’Almeida, Executive Director, PYPP


  • Closing announcements

    • Sadia Stubblefield, Chair, Organizing Committee & Deputy Director for Programs, PYPP

Dinner & Award Presentation

  • The dinner and award presentation will be recorded and shared following the evening.

  • A parade of Flags!

  • Opening prayer

    • (tbc)

    Welcome remarks

    • Matthew Garway (Liberia)

  • Opening statements

    • Government Official

    • Emmanuel Lubembe, EPL Board Chair


  • Musical performance

    • William Harper (Liberia Fellow, Cohort 13)

  • Introduction of guest speaker

    • Faith Nuwehli Siakor (Liberia), President, EPLAN Global

    Guest Speaker

    • Madam  Leymah  R Gbowee 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate,  Founder and President of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA)


  • Introduction of awards

    • Charity Hara (Malawi)

    Presentation of awards

    • Government Rep, EPL Board, and EPL Leadership

  • Special statements

    • Amos Tubor (Liberia, Cohort 1)

    • Emily Stanger Sfeile, Interim Executive Director, EPL 

  • A vote of thanks

    • Ciata Stevens d’Almeida, Executive Director, PYPP.

  • Closing prayer

    • (tbc)

  • "A key impact of the 2025 Alumni Network Gathering has been the formation of new relationships and enhanced inter-country collaboration on initiatives like the Malawi Impact Series Project."

    Zahira Noor Banda (Malawi)

  • “Once you say, ‘I am an alumnus of the PYP program’, anybody talking in the room you are in will keep quiet because they expect that you bring a lot to the table.”

    Dahnu Mianyen (Liberia)

  • "Through the Alumni Network I'm now able to communicate with fellows from different departments if I have an issue. It built my networks globally."

    Maimuna Ahmednur (Kenya)

Your Questions, Answered

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

  • EPL’s Alumni Network Gathering is an annual conference that gathers our leaders from across our five countries of operation to share learnings, reflections, and network.

  • Yes! The opening ceremony will be livestreamed on EPL’s YouTube channel. Other panels and presentations will have Zoom conferencing available for our network to participate.