Randy Wong of Hawai‘i Youth Symphony Announced as 2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader
Randy Wong of Hawai‘i Youth Symphony Announced as
2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader
HONOLULU, HI — Randy Wong, President & CEO of Hawai‘i Youth Symphony (HYS), 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, Randy will be one of 50 Leaders and the only one in the cohort from Hawai‘i 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.
Randy Wong leads HYS in expanding equitable access to music education and youth leadership development across Hawaiʻi. His stewardship has been instrumental in shifting the organization from a traditional audition-based youth orchestra to encompassing a movement that serves youth across the islands and rural and under-resourced communities statewide. A sixth-generation resident of Hawaiʻi, Randy focuses on using music as a tool for civic participation, intergenerational connection, and long-term community resilience.
“I’m energized by the opportunity to engage with other civic leaders, while sharing how music and the arts can play an active role in strengthening communities,” Wong said. “Music teaches us how to listen, collaborate, imagine, and build something together. At Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, we believe that music should be a right for every child, and I’m grateful for the many young people, families, educators, partners, and supporters who have shaped that work. I look forward to bringing what I learn through the Obama Foundation Leaders USA program back to Hawai‘i.”
“Randy’s selection for the Obama Foundation Leaders USA program reflects the kind of leadership we value at Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony: dreaming courageously about what is possible for young people, deeply rooted in community, and always willing to learn,” says Erica Mau-Schank, HYS Board Chair. “We are proud that Hawaiʻi and HYS will be part of this national conversation, and we are equally excited about the ideas, relationships, and perspectives Randy will bring home to strengthen our work.”
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.
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