Gabrielle Agbényiga received her Bachelors of Science in Economics & Women and International Development from St. Catherine University. Most recently, Agbényiga held a position as a Research Associate with the Sadie Collective in Washington, D.C. In her role, she worked with a team to analyze economic mobility for Black women in the United States. Through national and international research experiences, Agbényiga has learned about the importance of global leadership. Her work has allowed her to participate in life-changing initiatives and movements focused around rural women’s justice, inclusion and leadership with lessons from global partners such as the Sehgal Foundation and Barefoot College in India. Gabrielle has also worked in Lambaye, Senegal with local agricultural and community-based organizations to conduct qualitative research that assessed educational, health, and agricultural systems. As a student in the MDP program, she plans to build an academic foundation that helps her understand the best way to establish women’s empowerment organizations in rural areas around the globe where extreme poverty amongst women and girls is most prevalent.