Linessie Phiri is a human rights and education advocate advancing SDG 4. As the Founder and Executive Director of Together We Rise (TOWERI) Foundation, she has positively impacted over 2,000 children and youth in rural and hard to reach areas of Nkhata Bay district.

Driven by her own experiences growing up in a rural community, Linessie launched initiatives that address barriers to education and  social exclusion. Through TOWERI Foundation, she provides school supplies (such as uniforms, notebooks), mentorship, leadership training and life-skills education to vulnerable girls, helping them remain in school and achieve their full potential. She is also a strong advocate for inclusive education where she supports learners with visual and hearing impairments by promoting equitable access to quality education and learning resources.

Beyond her community work, Linessie serves as a Youth Sounding Board Member for the European Union in Malawi and a Global Youth Ambassador for Education with Theirworld, where she amplifies youth voices and advocates for inclusive, equitable education at national and global levels.

Despite challenges such as limited funding, resource constraints, and harmful social norms that contribute to school dropout and child marriage, Linessie has remained committed to creating lasting change. Through advocacy, partnerships, and grassroots action, she continues to empower young people including those with disabilities, and marginalized communities, creating pathways to education, leadership, and opportunity.