Rising Leader Florence Thomas John Claims Victory in 2024 Wise Leader’s Contest

The House of Wisdom Community (H.W), a prominent Tanzanian non-profit organization dedicated to empowerment and development, recently celebrated exceptional leadership through their prestigious Wise Leader’s Contest (WLC). This national youth-based award recognizes leaders and business owners who demonstrate the impact and personal benefits of soft skills in public service.

Meet Florence Thomas John

This year’s champion, Florence Thomas John, stands out as a beacon of transformative leadership in Tanzania. As the Country Manager for Asante Africa Foundation Tanzania, Florence brings together her Bachelor of Arts in Education and extensive experience in youth development to drive meaningful change. Her work focuses on empowering young people to embrace digital transformation and take action against climate change.

An award-winning advocate for women and girls’ rights, Florence has dedicated her career to supporting young women’s professional growth and empowerment. Her role as a career mentor has helped countless young women realize their potential and achieve their professional aspirations, making her a powerful voice for change and a champion for youth and gender equality.

Florence Reflects on Her Journey

In Florence’s own words:

“I’m honored to share the journey that led to winning the 2024 LEADERS AWARDS for Wise Leaders Contest (WLC) as a story that underscores the power of learning, leadership, and impact in the community.

My journey began as one voice among over 70 nominated young leaders. The initial challenge required submitting a video highlighting my leadership path, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, reading for growth, and the critical nature of soft skills in leadership. Making it into the top 10 was both humbling and motivating, especially knowing that my team and community stood behind me through the public voting stage.

The finals on October 27 brought both challenges and fulfillment. During the first phase, I delivered a five-minute pitch about my community vision, impact, and personal leadership journey. Judges evaluated us on community impact, knowledge-seeking habits, soft skills, and leadership influence. After being selected as one of the top three, we faced another round of pitching and fielded questions from both judges and fellow contestants. Through the combined support of audience votes and judge evaluations, I was honored to be named WLC Champion for 2024 (1st Runner).

This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: achieving new heights requires strong team support, and when we commit to our communities and goals, continuous growth and leadership can create lasting impact.”

 About the Wise Leader’s Contest

Established in 2019 through a collaboration between Maktaba and Hub of Wisdom incorporations, the WLC has become a cornerstone event for recognizing youth contribution in Tanzania. The contest aims to showcase exceptional literacy levels, creativity, influence, and communication skills among young Tanzanians while fostering a community of positive-minded individuals who lead through knowledge and reading.