Dalai Lama Fellows
Francesca Raoelison
Leadership Vision
My leadership is rooted in the belief that breaking cycles of trauma starts with emotional literacy and compassionate action. As the founder of Omena, I lead by fostering a culture of vulnerability, empowerment, and co-creation, ensuring that those most affected by emotional abuse have the tools to heal and lead change in their communities. I believe in leadership that balances strategy with heart—one that prioritizes deep listening, resilience, and systemic transformation. Through this fellowship, I aim to integrate more contemplative practices into my leadership, ensuring that Omena’s impact is sustainable and that my leadership remains centered on both personal and collective growth.
Project Description
My project, "Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Abuse through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)", focuses on equipping people in Madagascar with the emotional intelligence and resilience needed to heal from and prevent emotional abuse. Building on our current training programs, I am working on adapting our SEL curriculum to reach different audiences, including parents, teachers, and workplaces. By expanding our approach beyond youth, we aim to foster healthier relationships across generations and within professional environments. Through this initiative, we hope to create systemic change by integrating SEL practices into homes, schools, and workplaces, ultimately contributing to a more emotionally aware and connected society.