About
A Life Dedicated to Education, Service, and Purpose
Sona Traore Sesay is a lifelong educator and youth development leader whose work over the past decade has focused on the growth, development, and leadership of young people. She currently serves as the Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services at the Ministry of Education in Liberia. In this strategic capacity, she oversees the development and welfare of approximately 1.2 million students nationwide. Her office plays a crucial role in shaping programs that directly influence the nation’s young leaders. She leads national initiatives to strengthen student development systems, expand access to school health and career guidance services, and formulate student-centered policies that bridge the gap between classroom learning and holistic development. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Gaziantep University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy from the Boston College. Her leadership is informed by her foundational experience in the classroom.
She began her career as a Teacher and Life Skills Program Officer at the LEAD Monrovia Football Academy, where she passionately worked to shape the minds of 163 young Liberian student-athletes by advocating for equal and quality education. Her dedication led to her promotion as the Executive Director of the Academy. During her nearly three-year tenure as head of the institution, she transformed the organization’s strategic growth, secured high-impact international partnerships, and advanced a holistic youth development model that prioritized both academic excellence and athletic discipline for Liberia’s student-athletes. A champion for gender-inclusive governance, Sona is an Amujae Leader under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. Her commitment to measurable impact was further recognized with the 2023 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Award, through which she designed and executed a body awareness and empowerment program that directly impacted over 300 adolescent boys and girls in Montserrado County.
Her journey is characterized by purpose, service, and a steadfast commitment to advancing equitable education and empowering the next generation of leaders. She remains passionate about building inclusive education systems and continues to champion initiatives that support and advance youth and women’s leadership across Liberia.
10+
Years Across Education, Service & Enterprise
4+
Leadership, Government & Executive Roles
12+
Partners & Collaborating Organizations
3+
Merit-Based Awards, Fellowships & Programs