Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and implemented by IREX in partnership with Global Ties Arizona, the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program is the flagship program for emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders from the Western Hemisphere.
Global Ties Arizona welcomed 14 YLAI fellows in early March 2024!
During the fellows’ visit to Arizona, they are participating in multiple program initiatives with local businesses and organizations, home hospitality dinners and nature outings. The programming will support their growth and development as young entrepreneurs through cross-cultural partnerships, networking opportunities and cultural experiences.
Juvenal Luna Ortega, 2022 YLAI Fellow
“My time in Arizona as a fellow of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative would have not been complete without my cohort of 14 other entrepreneurs from across Latin America. We had time to talk about our enterprises and challenges, and we got to meet mentors from the Phoenix entrepreneurial community. We enjoyed hanging around downtown and getting to know cities such as Tempe, Scottsdale, and Sedona!
Among all the things I learned and all the people I met, I take with me the dedication that Global Ties Arizona puts into fostering citizen diplomacy. I come home with a better understanding of its true meaning and new ideas for future projects."
2023 YLAI Cohort
May 11: Airport Pick Up
May 12: Orientation at Thunderbird
May 12: Orientation at Thunderbird
May 12: Orientation at Thunderbird
May 12: Orientation at Thunderbird
May 19: Session 1 with ASU Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute
May 26: Flagstaff + NACET
May 26: Flagstaff + NACET
May 26: Flagstaff + NACET
May 26: Flagstaff + NACET
June 2: Tucson FORGE
St Vincent de Paul
St Vincent de Paul
