Lucero Andaluz, Executive Director and co-founder of De-Mentes, is one of the Peruvian leaders selected to participate in the prestigious “Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative” fellowship (YLAI). This program is part of the initiatives led by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and is implemented by the global organization IREX.
The initiative, created by the Barack Obama administration in 2015, empowers outstanding social entrepreneurs and leaders from 37 countries across the Americas and the Caribbean to strengthen their skills and contribute effectively to regional development and the well-being of their communities.
The fellowship includes a curriculum on entrepreneurship and business leadership, developed by experts from the prestigious J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University, a professional exchange program in the United States, and various educational and cultural activities in different cities across the country.
“Through the YLAI business leadership curriculum and individualized professional placements, YLAI fellows have accelerated the success of their commercial and social ventures and developed specific action plans that they implement upon returning to their home countries. YLAI fellows build networks, connections, and lasting relationships to attract investment and support for their entrepreneurial projects,” states the program’s official website. To date, more than 1,000 fellows have expanded their leadership and business experience by working with companies and organizations in the United States.
YLAI Fellows from Peru at the Embassy of the United States of America in Lima
“I am very happy to represent De-Mentes and Peru in this important program. Our commitment is to continue promoting mental health and combating stigma in different spaces, maximizing our social impact and expanding into new markets,” says Lucero Andaluz, Executive Director and co-founder of De-Mentes.
#EveryoneForMentalHealth
