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Joséphine Goube

2024-2025 Columbia University Scholar

Headshot of Joséphine Goube, 2024-2025 Columbia University Scholar

France

Founder and CEO, Sistech

Enhancing the rights and autonomy of refugee women through digital skills training and employment opportunities in the technology sector.

Joséphine Goube is the CEO of Sistech, an organization that supports refugee women with access to gainful employment in the technology sector. Grounded by the belief that a democracy is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, Joséphine aims to accelerate economic inclusion and citizenship rights for refugee communities for a more inclusive democracy. Over 700 women have moved through Sistech’s programs in France, Italy, and Greece, receiving digital skills training such as data analysis, cybersecurity, and web development, with 70% successfully obtaining jobs in tech. Through this work, Joséphine has collected stories of impact on the integration of these women into the job market and has used this as a proven model to advise on more inclusive migrant policies at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, European Commission, and French Parliament. Josephine is seeking to strengthen her advocacy skills to enact regional policy change and gain theoretical knowledge through the Scholars program to scale Sistech’s work across Europe and shift the narrative on refugees in the region.

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More About the Scholars Program

The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.

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