Bangaly Diakite is a Presidential Engagement Fellow in the Office of the President at James Madison University, where he supports executive communications and strategic initiatives that advance the university’s mission of engagement and public impact. He earned his Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from JMU and a Bachelor’s in International Business and Trade from the African Leadership University.

With over five years of experience spanning higher education, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship, Bangaly has led initiatives that scale impact and strengthen communities. At iDebate Rwanda, he expanded partner schools from 35 to 115, managed a $100K annual budget, and launched Rwanda’s first televised debate program reaching more than 100,000 viewers. As Co-Founder of Hottempah Collective, he produced 150+ cultural events across four countries and built a community of over 6,000 participants, advancing cultural exchange and creative collaboration.

Driven by a passion for connection and impact, Bangaly aspires to work with people from all walks of life to build stronger, more inclusive communities around the world.