Howard University alumna Natalie Delille (BBA ’19) has been named to this year’s cohort of Schwarzman Scholars. Delille is one of just 150 scholars selected from 5,800 candidates worldwide, a record number of applicants. The scholars, who represent 40 countries, will attend a one-year, fully funded master’s degree program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China taught by leading faculty from highly regarded international universities and global thought leaders. 

Delille earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing from Howard University. A social equity advocate and noted public speaker, she founded DearSociety, a nonprofit that advances educational opportunity through scholarships and educational initiatives aimed at breaking cycles of poverty. The organization has provided 150 scholarships to underserved youth and communities in Haiti.

“As someone whose work is deeply informed by the diaspora, development, and global equity, I am certain that the Schwarzman Scholars Program will be a powerful space to build, grow, and think about the future of leadership,” Delille said. “My higher-education journey, beginning at Howard University, truly shapes how I show up as a leader, how I understand equity, and the role the diaspora must play in driving social change. I’m honored to be HU ’19. As Howard taught us, ‘In truth and service, always.’”

Delille’s work is centered on creating strategies for poverty alleviation and improving the lives of disadvantaged populations through education and technology. In addition to her Howard bachelor’s degree, Delille earned a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Society from the University of Cambridge and is completing a master’s degree in policy management from Georgetown University. While at Howard, she was a member of the first place team that won the Georgia State University 2019 International Business Case Competition,  a 21st CAP team leader, a member of the School of Business Executive Leadership Honors Program, and an undergraduate assistant to the dean of School of Business.

"Natalie’s achievement reflects not only her individual excellence, but also Howard University’s enduring commitment to intellectual rigor and to developing principled leaders prepared to shape the future," said Wayne A. I. Frederick (B.S. '92, M.D. '94, MBA '11), Howard University interim president, president emeritus and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery. "Her selection adds to Howard’s proud legacy of scholars whose talents, vision, and impact are recognized on the national and international stage."

Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars is considered by many to be one of the most selective graduate fellowship programs in the world. This year’s scholars hail from 83 universities. Scholars are selected through a competitive application process designed to identify leadership potential, intellect, and strength of character and interviews with panels of CEOs, government leaders, university presidents, and non-profit executives, among others. Delille will join a cohort of scholars including multiple Guinness World Record holders, the founder of a clean energy start-up, a policy advisor to Thailand’s parliament, a Mongolian Young Person of the Year Award winner, an international project manager in China’s Ministry of Commerce, multiple members of Forbes’ 30 under 30, and other diverse leaders from around the world.

“Life is exhilarating if you choose to do more than simply exist,” she told Voyage ATL. “This is driven by whatever you want to be or do, which can be manifested in many different ways. When I am old and gray, I want to look back at my life and know that I instilled this greatness in others, teaching people that they too can live a beautiful meaningful life no matter the difficulties life brings.”

A Brooklyn, NY native, Delille received an Access Ventures fellowship in 2025, designed for transformative emerging leaders with bold ideas to develop their leadership skills, grow their visions, and contribute to human flourishing. She was also selected for as a National Urban Fellowship at Surdna Foundation, designed to support the development of leaders and change agents with a strong commitment to social justice and equity, and a BAG Ventures Fellowship, through which she serves as an impact leader establishing best practices for ethical AI innovation within venture capital. Her corporate experience includes work as a global strategy manager at Visa focused on social impact and sustainability. She is also a board member for the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce.

As a Schwarzman Scholar, Delille joins a network which includes over 1,500 members from 107 countries and 490 institutions worldwide. Schwarzman Scholars alumni have demonstrated immense leadership capacity as trailblazers in a number of industries and collaborate to tackle pressing issues around the world.

“Our eleventh cohort is a truly impressive group that fills me with optimism,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, founding trustee of Schwarzman Scholars. “I am hopeful that their interest in China and global affairs, coupled with their leadership potential, will create opportunities for collaboration and dialogue at Schwarzman College and beyond.”