When Nathan Mourade applied for the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) for the fourth and final time, his sister Djemillah couldn’t help but worry. She wondered if his previous unsuccessful attempts were somehow linked to her participation in 2019. As an advisor to applicants like Nathan, Djemillah was ecstatic when he was selected to be a part of the 2024 cohort, especially when she learned he would complete his program at the same site where she had been placed for her Fellowship assignment: the University of Notre Dame. In fact, the program first heard about Nathan through a message Djemillah shared in their group chat, even before the official list of participants was released. With thousands of applications submitted annually and no influence over the selection process, the Mourade siblings are an extraordinary pair—the first siblings to participate in the program at Notre Dame.
The remarkable journey of Nathan and Djemillah exemplifies the power of perseverance, collaborative innovation, and shared passion for sustainability. Their story highlights how familial support and the application of humility and intellectual curiosity can drive transformative change both locally and globally. “It’s my sister who encourages me every time,” says younger brother Nathan. He emphasized how much of a game-changer direct family support is, describing his career development and repeated efforts to secure a Fellowship. The siblings’ experience highlights how family strength and the distinct opportunities provided by a Fellowship placement at Notre Dame have fostered resilience and innovation in their pursuits.
The Fellowship has ushered nearly 6,500 accomplished innovators in their communities from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. With a focus on entrepreneurship and sustainability, Notre Dame celebrates its tenth anniversary of the program alongside MWF having been in partnership since its founding. Over the years, the Pulte Institute has had the privilege of accompanying nearly 250 Fellows representing 43 countries, already involved in valuable work with their communities, in their journeys to strengthen their skill sets as creative problem-solvers and leaders. As Senior Program Manager Ed Jurkovic notes, “This is a partnership.” The Fellowship at Notre Dame exemplifies developmental work done the right way, with young leaders like the Mourade siblings at the forefront of their causes, actively contributing to the program's value.
Coming from the small island of Mauritius, the odds that Nathan and Djemillah would both be selected to represent their country and then placed in South Bend are remarkably slim. Yet, with their shared passion for sustainability, it feels perfectly fitting. Djemillah, the eldest of four, says she trusts Nathan, the youngest, more than anyone else in her life. Nathan is not only her daughter’s godfather but shares the same birthday as her. Djemillah and Nathan were also business partners long before the Fellowship, supporting each other’s “crazy,” sustainability-themed business ideas in Mauritius. Together, they tackled a period poverty project, advocating for menstrual education and improved access to sanitary products. They have also collaborated on transforming bamboo into environmentally friendly materials, like eco-friendly straws. Having completed his Fellowship at Notre Dame just last summer and drawing on his experience working at a bamboo plant, Nathan will continue his studies abroad, focusing on developing a viable bamboo industry for Africa. Djemillah, with a background as a journalist and founder of a nonprofit, currently works in the United Kingdom, gaining valuable experience in the nonprofit trauma sector as the fundraising and awareness manager for domestic abuse survivors.
The siblings are leaders in their respective fields, applying new skills they learned during their time at Notre Dame to their communities. The program’s focus on design thinking deeply resonated with both Djemillah and Nathan. Inspired by her experience, Djemillah founded Wavemakers, an organization offering design-thinking workshops in Mauritius. Through Wavemakers, she has trained industry leaders and green businesses, and supported advocacy projects, sharing invaluable knowledge gained from her Fellowship experience at Notre Dame. For Nathan, the network and connections he established with his cohort and beyond have been the Fellowship’s greatest gift, providing a deeper understanding of the complex business landscape.
Nathan and Djemillah Mourade’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and collaboration. As siblings, they have navigated the challenges of their individual journeys while consistently supporting one another's ambitions. Their participation in the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Notre Dame marked not only singular, personal achievements, but also a milestone for the program, celebrating its tenth anniversary, and the island nation of Mauritius. As the first siblings to participate in the program at Notre Dame, the Mourades have set precedence, demonstrating the impact of support and the program's ability to be a partner in driving social change. As they move forward in their respective paths, Nathan and Djemillah carry with them the lessons, connections, and insights gained from their Fellowship, ensuring that their influence will be felt far beyond the golden dome.