LifeHikes Foundation is committed to expanding equitable access to sustainable professional and personal development opportunities for people and communities that have historically faced barriers to participation.
It all started with Bill & Maria'S inert belief in doing good & giving back
Our Journey
Early Years
LifeHikes Foundation’s story began in the early 1980s, when founder Bill Hoogterp traveled across the United States inspiring college students to engage in community service. Through this work, he developed the communication and leadership training approaches that would shape his life’s mission.
In the early 1990s, Bill launched leadership and communication programs in Newark, New Jersey, helping young people and community leaders build confidence, communication skills, and leadership capacity. After meeting his wife Maria in 1993, they expanded their work supporting underserved youth through personal development and communication training.
In 2003, Bill and Maria founded Own The Room®, a communication and leadership training company. Their commitment to service led to the creation of the #GivesBack initiative, providing no-cost training to nonprofit organizations and laying the foundation for the LifeHikes Foundation.
2018 - Establishing The Foundation
Bill and Maria established Own The Room Foundation, later officially renamed LifeHikes Foundation, as a separate public 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission was to make world-class communication and leadership training accessible to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
That year, the Foundation launched its first international initiative in Johannesburg, South Africa, providing communication and leadership training to community leaders and youth. Hosted by Fred Swaniker’s team at Africa Leadership Academy, the program marked the beginning of the Foundation’s global outreach.
2019 - Expanding Impact
Carol Nelson-Felzenberg joined as the Foundation’s Executive Director. The Foundation also began a transformative partnership with Principal Akbar Cook and West Side High School in Newark, formally launching the signature program Own The Room for High School Students. What began as weekly classroom communication training evolved into broader support for students, educators, and school leadership.
2020 - Meeting The Moment
When COVID-19 disrupted education worldwide, the Foundation partnered with Zoom Communications and Own The Room to provide free virtual training for educators adapting to online learning. Reaching thousands globally, the programs demonstrated the importance of communication during times of unprecedented change and expanded access to virtual learning.
2021 - Becoming LifeHikes Foundation
The #GivesBack initiative evolved into #InvestInAll, reflecting a broader commitment to investing in people everywhere and officially became LifeHikes Foundation, embracing the belief that learning, growth, and professional and personal development are lifelong journeys. Virtual opportunities allowed our coaches to provide comprehensive training to nonprofits, charities and NGOs around the globe.
2022 - Returning To In-Person Learning
As communities reopened, the Foundation resumed in-person programs while maintaining virtual learning. Training supported students, educators, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, women leaders, and community organizations, creating a hybrid model that combined global access with local engagement.
2023 - Growing The Movement
LifeHikes Foundation expanded its global #InvestInAll programming and strengthened its youth initiatives through high school and university programs. Training included an immersive 3 day program in Detroit and one day focused learning in Paterson, as well as programs for students and professors at Montclair State University.
The Foundation also developed partnerships with U.S. and global nonprofits, including Save the Children International, providing communication and leadership training in English, Spanish, and French to country leadership around the world.
2024 - Women's Initiative & Africa
The Foundation launched LifeHikes® Own Your Power, a no-cost communication, leadership, and durable-skills initiative for women globally. Launched in conjunction with International Women’s Day, the program reached participants across six continents and has become an annual global offering. The inaugural program featured a fireside chat with Natalie Tran, Executive Director of the CAA Foundation.
The Foundation also returned to Africa for in-person training in Kigali, Rwanda, engaging leaders from organizations including the SMART Africa Alliance and the Mastercard Foundation.
2025 - Expanding Reach
The Youth Initiative continued to grow supporting US based youth through programming for Montclair State University’s ‘One Square Mile’ Initiative, a Summer Youth Training at the LifeHikes Training Center and the LiftHerCareer- Grad to Hire national trainings to upskill college and grad students in preparation for networking and post college interviewing.
The Women’s Initiative expanded communication, leadership, and workforce development training for women in underserved communities across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Austin Walker, certified LifeHikes Coach, joined the Foundation full-time as Head of Africa Partnerships & Delivery.
2026 - Deepening Global Impact
LifeHikes Foundation began formally expanding its presence in Africa, establishing staff and coaches in Nairobi, Kenya. Through a partnership with ALX, the Foundation is providing in-person training to local businesses, NGOs, and youth while its U.S. coaching team supports the growth of the Nairobi hub.
In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, LifeHikes Foundation became a nonprofit partner for the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program, delivering year-long weekly durable-skills and life-skills training to emerging youth leaders.
The Mentors for African Youth Program launched in July, bringing leaders from around the world together to mentor young people over a year long commitment.
International Women’s Day programming continues to expand, including Spanish-language sessions, while #InvestInAll partnerships increasingly support lifelong learning for youth and adults through programs such as Storytelling for Impact, Executive Coaching 1:1, and the expanded Learning Journeys durable-skills training programs.
Board Members
Bill Hoogterp
Board Chair
Maria Hoogterp
Board Vice Chair
Cherita McIntye
Senior Director of Talent Mgmt & Development, ESPN
Darshna Modi
Study Director, Novartis
David Fizdale
NBA Head Coach
Giancarlo Esposito
Emmy Nominated Actor
Hafsat Abiola
American Director, Board President of Women in Africa, Climate Lead of Vital Voices Global Partnership & Co-Founder of Project Dandelion
Michael Sanchez
Legal Council to CEO, Raptive
Michelle Peters
Early Careers Recruitment Specialist, African Leadership Academy
Reginald “Reggie” Hudlin
American Director, Screenwriter, Producer
Tom McEnanly
CPA
Leadership And Team
Bill Hoogterp
Founder
Carol Nelson-Felzenberg
Executive Director
Austin Walker
Head of Africa Partnerships & Delivery, Lead Coach
Kesner LaGuerre
Director of Coaching, Coach & Program Architect, African Leadership Team
Samantha Way-Lory
Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator
Shannon MacArthur
Operations & Office Manager
Team Africa
Austin Walker
Head of Africa Partnerships & Delivery, Lead Coach
Captain Asego
Coach
Esther N. Nderitu
Strategic Partnerships Lead - Kenya
Kesner LaGuerre
Director of Coaching, Coach & Program Architect, African Leadership Team
Mary Ng'endo
Coach
Maureen Kilewe
Coach
Africa Advisory Board
Patrick Mutombo
Chair
Charles Holmes, Jr, CPA
Finance Chair
Chief Financial Officer, Buon’Italia
Martin Abraham
Programs and Impact Officer
martinAbrahamSpeaks MAS
Sandrine Nzeukou, MBA
Strategic Advisor
Founder & CEO, Playbook - Sports Biz for Emerging Markets
LifeHikes Africa Thought Leadership Committee
Michelle Peters
(co-chair)
Early Careers Recruitment Specialist, African Leadership Academy
Daniel Akpaasou
Ag Director of Students Affairs, Maryam Abacha American University of Republic
Emad Ghaly
CEO and Managing Director, SDSmena Ltd
Hesham Barakat
Operations Director, Procter & Gamble
Hynd Mouhia
Founder & CEO, BAL Method Ltd
Makhotso Mabote
Training and Development Lead, Mayine Development Institute
Jacquelyn Ekwueme
Senior Program Manager, Microsoft
Kudzia Muronava
Head of Sales & NF Wholesale, National Foods Limited Zimbabwe
Lerato Kubuzie
Senior Program Manager – Employer Engagement & Partnerships, African Leadership Academy
Lesley Katts
Program Director, Office of Leadership
Monewa Matlwa
Chief of Staff, Deliotte Africa CPO
Naima Jahun
Proprietress, Sweet Haven Schools
Timothy Kwasi Afrane Wuo-Asare
Cofounder & CEO, Copianto AI
Hubert Sengap
Founder & CEO, Generation Aid
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