Sep 9, 2026
Jacobson is one of 50 distinguished changemakers from across the country as part of a broader global cohort of leaders.
Chicago, IL. — Oren Jacobson today announced his acceptance to The Obama Foundation’s Leaders program, joining more than 150 changemakers from around the world in the 2026-2027 class. Following a competitive selection process, Jacobson will be one of 50 Leaders participating in the Leaders USA program, where they will receive training in values-based leadership development to strengthen their skills and scale their work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
“I’m deeply honored to join this extraordinary community,” Jacobson said. “The Foundation’s commitment to values-based leadership, pluralism, and collective action reflects the values that have guided my work. Meaningful progress on our nation’s hardest challenges requires leaders who can help communities engage across differences, build trust, translate complexity into practical action, and move forward together to improve people’s lives. I’ve learned that this progress begins when people recognize their own agency and responsibility—when they see themselves as participants, not spectators. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from changemakers whose experiences and perspectives will challenge and expand my own, and to bring those lessons back to the organizations and communities I’m privileged to serve.”
Jacobson has spent nearly two decades building organizations, coalitions, and leadership-development models that help people take action on difficult issues, contributing to legal change, improved lives, and cultural shifts.
As Co-Founder and CEO of Project Shema, he leads an educational nonprofit that helps organizations, institutions, and leaders foster understanding, belonging, and safety for Jewish people, emphasizing how discourse around Israel and Palestine can undermine Jewish inclusion and safety while weakening institutional culture and mission-driven work. The organization advances empathy and shared learning to strengthen relationships that sustain pluralism, inclusion, and collective repair.
He also co-founded Men4Choice, a national organization mobilizing male allies for reproductive freedom, where he developed the first large-scale model for engaging men in the fight for abortion rights and access. Men4Choice has grown into one of the country’s largest civic communities for young men to build relationships, develop as leaders, and act together. After a decade as Executive Director, he now chairs the Board of Directors of Men4Choice Education, its 501(c)(3) entity.
As part of the eight-month long program, these changemakers will convene virtually each week for sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. They will also have an opportunity to participate in virtual experiences and special events, including conversations with experienced mentors in the Foundation’s global network.
Now in its fourth year, The Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program is guided by the leadership values of President and Mrs. Obama. The program draws on the Foundation’s Hope to Action curriculum to support Leaders in embracing diverse perspectives, harnessing collective power, and driving tangible progress toward a more just and sustainable world. The Leaders USA Program has a particular focus on strengthening democratic culture, and the 50 Leaders come from 29 states and territories and work across a broad range of focus areas, including democracy and civic engagement, public safety, artificial intelligence, public health, rural and economic opportunity, and arts and culture.
The Obama Foundation Leaders program is designed to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States to change their respective communities and the world. To learn more, visit obama.org/leaders.
To learn more about Project Shema, visit www.projectshema.org.