School of Law Alumnus Sheldon Spotted Elk Selected to Join the Obama Foundation Leaders Program
February 3, 2025
Sheldon Spotted Elk, a 2010 graduate of the UNM School of Law and a member of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, is one of 205 global leaders selected for the Obama Foundation Leaders program. This program trains individuals from around the world in leadership development and civic engagement to build their skills and scale their impact across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He will be one of 100 leaders participating in the U.S. cohort of the program.
The Obama Foundation Leaders program is a six-month initiative in which participants meet virtually each week for interactive sessions. These sessions are designed to hone leadership skills, foster relationships with peers, and engage with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. Participants will also have opportunities to take part in exclusive virtual experiences and special events, including one-on-one conversations with experienced mentors from the Foundation’s global network.
Currently, Spotted Elk serves as Senior Director of Judicial and National Engagement of Casey Family Programs and as a judge for the Ute Indian Tribal Court of Appeals on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Fort Duchesne, Utah. Reflecting on his selection for the program, he shares, “It is a great honor to be recognized as one of the 100 Obama Foundation USA Leaders. The connections I am making with other people in the program are incredible and it’s humbling to learn about their impact. I feel that the University of New Mexico School of Law and some of the Indian Law professors that inspired, mentored, and guided me, are a big reason I have this wonderful opportunity with the Obama Foundation.”
The Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program, now in its second year, draws inspiration from the leadership values and approach of President and Mrs. Obama. To learn more, visit obama.org/leaders.
