My YLAI Story by Alejandro Sherriff, YLAI Alum from Argentina

Alejandro Sherriff is the Founder and CEO of VALORes Enfoques Creativos Empresariales, a consultancy firm that provides coaching, training, and advice to both private and public organizations and to individual entrepreneurs in Argentine South Patagonia, giving them tools to turn into great organizations. He is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, a presidential initiative that empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. YLAI focuses on strengthening their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic...

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“See You Soon, Reno” by Andrea Almeida, YLAI Alum from Ecuador

Andrea Almeida is the founder Ethniessence Cia. Ltda. She is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, a presidential initiative that empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. YLAI focuses on strengthening their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. Now that our stay in Reno is coming to an end, I want to share with you a little bit of my personal experience… I believe that us having arrived in...

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The Truth Wins Hearts and Minds: Journalist Exchange Shifts Views of U.S.

The world has never needed truth more than it does today, Secretary of State John Kerry remarked to a group of journalists earlier this month. His remarks came in early November 2016 at the beginning of the U.S. Department of State’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, a 3-week professional exchange for journalists from around the world. Journalists are our truth-tellers and purveyors of nuance in a world becoming increasingly polarized. Continue  

Alumni TIES: Cultivating a Network of Opportunities

Leorah McGinnis is a 2014 alumni of the U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program, a unique program designed to bring together young professionals from both the U.S. and Korea for a memorable and educational opportunity. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Exchange has allowed nearly 500 participants to build lasting cross-border relationships and better understand the legislative process, the history of U.S. – Korean relations, and current economic, political, and security aspects of the bilateral relationship. Meridian International Center has had the privilege of implementing this program for nearly 20 years, and has worked to...

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A Warm “Thank You” to Our Inspirational YLAI Fellows

In October 248 fellows met in Dallas Texas to kick of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, which brings entrepreneurs and civil society leaders to the United States for a five-week program. This U.S. Department of State-sponsored program empowers young entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and to effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. Last week these 248 fellows gathered again in Washington, DC for the closing summit after spending four months in 21 different city hubs around the country were they were placed...

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