Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program 2017
Fall 2017 Cohort
In fall 2017, 250 Latin American and Caribbean entrepreneurs participated in the YLAI Professional Fellows Program. These outstanding business and social entrepreneurs are working to transform their societies.
Meet the 2017 YLAI Fellows 2017 YLAI Fellows PDF
The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) empowers entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. In fall 2017, 250 YLAI Professional Fellows from Latin America and the Caribbean expanded their leadership and entrepreneurial experience through fellowships at businesses and organizations across the U.S. Through the YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute and the individualized Fellowships, YLAI Fellows accelerated their commercial and social ventures’ success and developed specific action plans to carry out upon return to their home countries. YLAI Professional Fellows built networks, linkages and lasting partnerships to attract investments and support for their entrepreneurial ventures. YLAI 2017 Professional Fellows participated in:
- Program Opening in Atlanta, GA: The 250 YLAI Professional Fellows met in Atlanta, GA for a 3-day opening program with the Department of State and Meridian leadership. A networking reception engaged the local entrepreneurial community with the YLAI fellows.
- Four-week Fellowship: With U.S. fellowship hosts in their field of expertise, YLAI Professional Fellows gained valuable professional development skills at entrepreneurial organizations or companies across the U.S. and worked jointly on a venture Action Plan to be implemented upon Fellows’ return to their home countries.
- Washington, D.C., Summit: YLAI Professional Fellows participated in a three-day conference and networking event with top U.S. government officials as well as global public, private and nonprofit leaders.
- YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute: YLAI Professional Fellows participated in an innovative online learning platform that helped them advance their skills and learn critical components for launching or expanding their entrepreneurial entity.
- Sustained Engagement Post Fellowship: After successful completion of the U.S. Fellowship and YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute, YLAI Professional Fellows continue their collaboration with U.S. partners and have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, mentorships, networking and alumni activities. YLAI Professional Fellows will be eligible for Innovation Small Grants to fund startup or scaling activities, Travel Grants to conferences, and a chance to welcome a Fellowship Host to their country to share expertise and expand the hosts’ understanding of the entrepreneurship climate in YLAI Professional Fellows’ home countries.
Staff
2017 YLAI Fellows
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Project summary
| Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program 2017 | November 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Number of Visitors: | 250 |
| Regions: | Western Hemisphere |
| Countries: | Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela |
| Impact Areas: | Entrepreneurship, Civic Engagement, Science and Technology |
| Partners: | Public Sector |