The Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program held its annual Forum in Washington, D.C. Nina Vaca, Chairman & CEO of Pinnacle Group and Dallas’s inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence, delivered the keynote address, with the purpose of inspiring the next generation of global entrepreneurs.
Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
YLAI empowers emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere to help improve their economic potential along with their communities and countries. Started by the White House in 2015, the YLAI Fellowship Program has granted over 1,000 Fellowships and counting. YLAI Fellows have shared U.S. business models, increased trade, and encouraged job creation. They have built networks of young entrepreneurs and business and social leaders of over 50,000 members in 37 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States.
“YLAI is a demonstration of [the State Department’s] commitment to expand partnerships and deepen engagement with leaders in the Americas to support inclusive prosperity,” remarked Stacy White, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Keynote speaker
Vaca helped launch the first class of YLAI Fellows as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship in 2016. This year, she returned to again deliver the keynote address at the YLAI Closing Forum. However, this time her role was Dallas’s inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence.
“We are honored to have Nina Vaca back with us to speak with our YLAI Fellows. She is a living example of how entrepreneurship can improve families, communities, and even entire lives. When young people hear her story, they can see what is possible through the incredible power of entrepreneurship and a global perspective,” said Diego Sandoval, YLAI Program Officer.
“There is nothing more important to creating prosperity globally than encouraging entrepreneurship, especially in the younger generation,” said Vaca. “YLAI’s work is incredibly important. The impact the Fellows have had in their communities and home countries is truly remarkable. I am proud to support and encourage them as they take the next steps as world changers.”
Following the Closing Forum, YLAI Fellows will take everything they learned throughout the program duration back to their home countries. These learnings combined with their newly expanded networks that span the Western Hemisphere will help make their visions into reality.
About Pinnacle Group
Pinnacle Group is the largest Latina-owned and led global workforce solutions provider. Founded in 1996, Pinnacle Group’s core services include talent acquisition and management, managed services (MSP), and employer/agent of record services. Pinnacle Group has an unwavering commitment to client service and a specialty in analytics and emerging technologies. It provides transformational outcomes to primarily Fortune 500 clients and other large buyers of contingent workforce solutions. The Women Presidents’ Organization named it one of the fastest-growing companies in the US 13 times and the fastest-growing women-owned/led company in the country twice. For more information, visit http://www.pinnacle1.com.
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