YLAI / Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

As a result of a productive collaboration throughout the #YLAI2024 program, D.C.-based Fellowship Placement Organization (FPO) Emily R. Owen of Halcyon went on to collaborate with Pedro Carneiro of ACE Ventures on an #YLAIOutboundExchange project, which took place in November 2024. The project successfully connected Halcyon with local innovation hubs to generate new and productive partnerships. By expanding the organization's network in the region and facilitating a series of workshops and webinars, this collaboration illuminated opportunities for access to capital primarily from U.S.-based sources, and accelerator best practices for Brazilian startup stakeholders in attendance to implement into their own ventures. In collaboration with local innovation hubs, they were also able to bring in panelists and speakers to contribute to the conversation and share greater insight. ?? With over 150 participants, the project generated a valuable experience for start-up founders who came away from these events with new connections and greater awareness about opportunities for internationalization. We are grateful for this impactful collaboration, which has opened doors to increased partnerships between the entrepreneurial ecosystems of both the United States and Brazil! ??

This week, we highlight our #YLAI2025 cohort in largest country in the Western Hemisphere, Canada! ???? These young changemakers are pioneers in their respective industries, from healthcare to web development. Join us in welcoming Anthony Ighomuaye MMgt PEng, Alanis Ortiz Espinoza, Shanakay H., Kyle Burton, and Megan Vernon (MBA, MSc, BA, CME). To learn more about these Fellows, head over to ?? https://lnkd.in/e-VbMSZh Stay up to date with the tenth edition of the YLAI Fellowship Program for 2025 on social media using #YLAI2025 & #YLAIatTen and following the @YLAINetwork across all social media platforms.

?? The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), is heading to the world's hot-air balloon capital, Albuquerque! ?? In collaboration with Global Ties ABQ, the YLAI Team at IREX will be in Albuquerque, NM from January 29-30 to recruit Fellowship Placement Organizations (FPOs) for the 2025 YLAI Fellowship Program. By hosting a YLAI Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with an impact-driven entrepreneur from Latin America, the Caribbean, or Canada, and to contribute to building enduring, innovative legacies between the city of Albuquerque and a network of international business leaders! Want to learn more about the YLAI Fellowship Program? Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the YLAI Team at IREX while we're in your city, and gain 1:1 insight into the program! Connect with us at: bit.ly/2025FPOform Don't forget to tag or share this post with someone who you think would be well-suited for this exciting and fully sponsored opportunity! We're looking forward to connecting with them.

We are proud to share the #YLAI2025 Fellows from Brazil who will be participating in the tenth-year anniversary of #YLAIatTen! Hailing from the largest country in South America, these trailblazers are fostering innovation and equity across various industries in the country. Join us in welcoming Hellen Caroline Nzinga, Ingrid Ferreira, Leonardo Souza, Letícia Benavalli, Luan Rios Paz, Lucas Glasner, Luiza Wosgrau Camara, Mateus Carrijo, Paulo Monteiro dos Reis, Sheu Tomás, Rodrigo Eidy Uemura, Sofia Gomes César, Thaís Lopes, Bruna Tabajara Brilmann, Gabriela Toso, Camilla Pinheiro Cianga, Davi Gelenske, Bruno Rizardi, and Reslley Gabriel ???. To learn more about these Fellows, head over to ?? https://lnkd.in/e-VbMSZh Stay up to date with the tenth edition of the YLAI Fellowship Program for 2025 on social media using #YLAI2025 & #YLAIatTen and following the @YLAINetwork across all social media platforms.

Calling to those in Aruba! ?? We encourage you to apply to this opportunity to access personalized mentorship, entrepreneurial training, and other resources, created as part of the #YLAIOutboundExchange!

Following their participation in the #YLAI2024 program, D.C.-based Fellowship Placement Organization (FPO) Alanna Hughes of Per Scholas collaborated with YLAI Alumna Ana Uriarte of Quark on a #YLAIOutboundExchange project to increase economic inclusion in Brazil and the U.S. through inclusive and accessible skills-based education. ?????? Taking place in S?o Paulo and Recife, the project involved the exchange of knowledge and leading practices in inclusive tech education and career advancement for diverse, often underrepresented populations such as BIPOC and women. Through engaging meetups and workshops on the importance of inclusive education in creating career opportunities and generating a positive social impact, participants came away from these events with new connections and a greater awareness of promising opportunities for career development. Established as a result of their participation in the YLAI Fellowship Program, we are proud to see the lasting impacts of the innovative partnership between Per Scholas and Quark, as they leverage diverse networks to create new opportunities and drive growth across the Western Hemisphere!

Congratulations to?#YLAI2021 Frantz One for the successful implementation of Haiti's first Youth Employment Summit! ?? This transformative summit was developed as a direct result of the 2023 YLAI Collaboration Grant with U.S. Fellowship Placement Organization (FPO) Life Changing Labs, and in collaboration with #YLAIAlumni, including Jupile Facile (#YLAI2018), Christopher Jackinson MASSéNAT (#YLAI2023), Neuwchda Oreus (#YLAI2021), Samuel Bastien (#YLAI2018), Marc Peterson louis (#YLAI2023), Makendy SMITH (#YLAI2016), and Mykerline J. Stephane BRICE (#YLAI2021). By convening youth leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, participants were able to address employment challenges and develop sustainable economic solutions for Haiti and beyond. Throughout the summit, delegates advocated for gender-responsive practices in education, workplaces, and communities, and explored entrepreneurial projects focused on renewable energy & agriculture, eco-tourism and waste management, technology, amongst others. As a result, YES promoted decentralized economic opportunities to boost underserved areas. By successfully equipping students with entrepreneurial mindsets and job-ready skills, the summit set the stage for addressing youth unemployment in Haiti through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. With inspiring projects, impactful discussions, and strong partnerships, delegates are prepared to create jobs and drive economic transformation, sustainability, and innovation. ?? We are looking forward to seeing what the lasting impacts of this summit will be on youth in Cap-Ha?tien, Haiti, and to see the continued impact of #YLAIAlumni across both Haiti and the Western Hemisphere! ??

Calling all #Entrepreneurs! Your voice matters in shaping how we empower entrepreneurs like you to thrive. We’re exploring how you harness HERO traits—hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism—and the best ways to support you as you turn challenges into opportunities. Your insights will help us design programs that truly accelerate entrepreneurship and deliver value. Let’s build something impactful together. Take just 4–8 minutes to share your perspective: https://bit.ly/4j42lH7 Complete by Monday, January 27! #Entrepreneurship #Changemakers #SocialInnovation

We are proud to celebrate the recognition of #YLAI2017 Alumna and #YLAI2025 Fellow, founders of Blend Edu | Diversidade SA | Representa SA, Thalita Gelenske ????? and Davi Gelenske, as one of Brazil's Top 150 Professionals That Make Diversity Happen! ?? Blend Edu | Diversidade SA | Representa SA is an educational start up that promotes empathy, diversity and inclusion in organizations through unique and innovative experiences, impacting over 30,000 people and 100 companies so far. CEO Thalita shares that, "Working at Blend [Edu] is about dreaming and making your dreams come true. It's about feeling challenged every day and using all of your creative potential to generate dialogue and the changes we want to see in the world." Recognized for their work building impactful projects for the proliferation of diversity, Thalita and Davi are making significant impact as industry leaders by driving and educating companies to take concrete steps to prioritize diversity. Join us in congratulating these trailblazing leaders for this spectacular achievement! ??

Welcome to the #YLAI2025 Bolivia cohort, participating in the tenth-year anniversary of #YLAIatTen! These 10 inspirational Fellows are driving impact and innovation across education, environmental issues, and civic engagement, amongst others! Join us in welcoming Aida Karen Arcani Rojas, Alexandra Hoogland, Alvaro Rojas A., Ma.Alejandra Galindo, Nicole Jarro Hurtado, Nohelia Condori Loza, Roger Pando, Stephanie Guarachi, and Wara Manigeh Conrady Arias! To learn more about these Fellows, head over to ?? https://lnkd.in/e-VbMSZh Stay up to date with the tenth edition of the YLAI Fellowship Program for 2025 on social media using #YLAI2025 & #YLAIatTen and following the @YLAINetwork across all social media platforms.