Monrovia, Liberia – Four elite individuals from ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) successfully completed the prestigious LEAD CONNECT High Impact Leadership Program at Columbia Business School Executive Education in New York City, marking a significant milestone for the country’s corporate leadership development.
The four honorees, Jallah Selmah, General Manager of Mines; Garmondyu Crusoe, General Manager of Port; Mulbah Gbozee, Rail Maintenance Manager; and Rebecca Kwabo-Buegar, Head of Human Resources and Development join an exclusive global network of executives who have received the transformative leadership training provided by one of the most prestigious business schools in the world.
On July 13, 2025, AML the biggest foreign investor in Liberia announced the accomplishment on its official Facebook page, calling it a “new milestone” in its dedication to developing Liberian business leadership. According to the company; “At ArcelorMittal Liberia, we are proud to invest in our people’s growth because we believe they are our greatest asset.”
The accomplishment highlights AML’s long-standing approach of developing a strong personnel pool in Liberia to oversee its expanding operations, especially as it accelerates Phase II growth initiatives in port, rail, and ore processing facilities.
Senior leaders handling high-stakes and rapidly evolving sectors are the target audience for Columbia Business School’s LEAD CONNECT program. It gives participants top-tier abilities that cut across boundaries and industries by emphasizing strategic decision-making, emotional intelligence, adaptive leadership, and change management.
Under the direction of Columbia’s internationally recognized professors, the curriculum consists of interactive simulations, coaching sessions, group projects, and case-based learning. The paradigm, which is directly applicable to Liberia’s changing mining and logistics industries, challenges participants to rethink leadership in complicated situations.
It was a life-changing event for Kwabo-Buegar, Selmah, Crusoe, and Gbozee. They are now expected to use the global exposure and innovative insights it gave them to reinforce AML’s operations in Liberia, from community relations and infrastructure upkeep to human resource management.
This most recent initiative contributes to AML’s growing track record of investing in human capability. In an effort to lessen reliance on foreign personnel, the corporation has invested millions of dollars in Liberian education and skill development over the last ten years.
Hundreds of young Liberians have received training in mining, mechanical, and electrical skills at the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy (AMLTA) in Yekepa, Nimba County, which is at the heart of these initiatives. Many have found full-time positions with AML and other organizations, strengthening local knowledge in technical domains that formerly required foreign workers.
AML has awarded overseas scholarships to over 99 Liberians to pursue studies in business administration, engineering, and metallurgy in nations including the UK, China, and South Africa. AML’s long-term localization policy includes these scholarships to make sure Liberians are equipped to take the lead in fields vital to the nation’s progress.
In Yekepa, AML also runs a full-service primary and high school, providing top-notch instruction to the kids of its staff members and the neighborhood. The university is fully supported by AML and has science labs, library, and trained teachers.
The four CEOs’ involvement in Columbia’s program has garnered recognition from business experts and education advocates who see it as an example of what can happen when the private sector takes leadership development seriously.
Additionally, the development develops at a critical juncture for the business. Having qualified Liberian professionals in senior positions will be essential to ensure effective, inclusive, and sustainable growth as Phase II of AML’s expansion gets underway. This phase will include improved rail connectivity, expanded port facilities, and modern ore processing technologies.
AML maintained that the success of its four executives serves as a national example of what can be accomplished when strategic investments are made in Liberian talent, rather than just a business accomplishment. “By empowering these professionals, we are empowering Liberia.”
