November 5, 2025
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Capital Turnaround
700 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Dress Code: Business/Cocktail Attire

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Meet Our Event Speakers

Michael, Scholar Emcee

Michael is a 7th grade Higher Achievement scholar. He enjoys playing Roblox and codes his own games. In fact, he recently purchased a coding book to better his Roblox coding knowledge. Michael is also in a STEM program where he gets to learn about coding and computers. In addition to trying to recruit his friends and classmates into Higher Achievement, Michael loves to travel and eat good food.

Zoe, Scholar Emcee

Zoe is an enthusiastic and hardworking 8th grader committed to excelling in school. With guidance and encouragement from Higher Achievement staff, her mentors, guardian, teachers, counselors, and friends, she continues to grow and shine. She also enjoys being involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Junior National Honor Society, the Graphic Novel Book Club, and community service, making a positive impact at school and in her community.

Roman Oben, Keynote Speaker

Roman is a Higher Achievement alumnus and the NFL’s Vice President of Football Development. He leads the league’s efforts to grow the game at every level, from NFL FLAG to preparing college athletes for careers on and off the field.

Born in Cameroon and raised in Washington, D.C., Roman attended Gonzaga College High School

and played college football at the University of Louisville, where he earned a degree in economics and was later inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Drafted by the New York Giants in 1996, he enjoyed a 12-year NFL career with the Giants, Browns, Buccaneers, and Chargers, and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

Since retiring from the field, Roman has built a remarkable career in leadership, business, and media, while also serving on national boards that support athletes’ post-career transitions and diversity in sports leadership.

Going Places 2025 Leadership