This year's Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI 2017) Professional Fellows Program will take 15 young Peruvians on a five-week business and entrepreneurship exchange in the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Lima informed.
YLAI is a
fellowship program that brings 250 business and social entrepreneurs from 36 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to the U.S. to collaborate with their counterparts in businesses and civil society organizations in 24 cities across the United States.
In the words of Vice-President Mike Pence, YLAI reiterates the U.S. commitment to increase trade and investment in the region while bringing "even more of our business culture of entrepreneurship and innovation all across Latin America."
This year's Peruvian
fellows are Katherin Heras (Cajamarca region), Erick Huamanchumo (Lambayeque), Bitia Chavez (Cusco), Oscar Cabada (La Libertad), Eddie Valdiviezo (Piura), Beth Gonzales and Jose Manrique (Arequipa), as well as Mayra Delgado, Ximena Gonzalez, Gabriella Torres, Mariella Puch, Gaby Sanz, Miguel Angeles, Fernando Romero and Raul Valenzuela (Lima).
They are business and social entrepreneurs engaged in start-ups, small businesses, non-governmental organizations, and similar entities focused on agriculture, clean energy, consulting, e-commerce, education, entrepreneurship development and support, LGBTI affairs marketing and branding, mobile applications, as well as women's and youth empowerment.
They will be advancing their entrepreneurial ideas and building leadership skills to effectively contribute to social and economic development in the Inca nation.
According to YLAI, the 2017 Professional Fellows Program will begin on October 4 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by four-week fellowships throughout the United States.
The program will conclude with a closing Summit in early November in Washington D.C. focused on leadership and skills development training. Fellows will then return to their ventures with new skills, resources, ongoing support from U.S. counterparts, and an improved network, strengthening business ties between the United States and Latin America plus the Caribbean.
YLAI is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Meridian International Center in partnership with Atlas Corps and Entrepreneurs' Organization and community-based members and universities throughout the United States.