Q: Tell me about your background.
A: I finished my masters degree at
the University of St. Thomas here
in houston and my background is
in business beginning with work-
ing for a corporation in Washing-
ton D.C. My experience has been
gartered through working for many
non-profits, corporations, and inter-
national agencies. I had the opportu-
nity to travel and my passion began
with corporate social responsibilities,
social entrepreneurship, and interna-
tional development.
they live in isolated and poor areas.
United4Change gives them the op-
portunities so they can act on their
ambition. If they are exposed to the
empowering tools we provide, they
are able to start a business supported
by a proper entrepreneurial educa-
tion that facilitates sustainable chang-
es that boost them to the next step.
Q: What do you consider U4C’s
United4Change Center?
A: I grew up in in of the poorest
countries in Latin America, and even
living in an urban area, we experi-
enced and witnessed the conflicts of
poverty that enveloped those com-
munities. Being exposed to all of
these things I wanted to help those
stuck in similar situations. This led to
United4Change Center, which is an
international organization that works
with women who live in isolated and
fragile communities to build their
own businesses. Using business prin-
ciples we empower women to break
the multi generational cycle of pov-
erty by enhancing the economic and
human developmental status in these
areas. United4Change gives them the
tools through access to education,
healthcare, and understanding their
rights. The women then apply these
things to starting their own business-
es and micro enterprises, improving
the overall economy of their com-
munities. greatest success so far?
A: I believe it is the fact that we
have been bonding with commu-
nities we reach out to. Our success
is measured by the impact we have
through that. We listen to them and
create their business alongside them.
The three main pillars of develop-
ment are, education, healthcare, and
economic development. Within these
pillars we engage their specialized set
of problems with each community
we reach out to. On a case by case
basis we build relationships to create
strategic partnerships that support
growth while implementing the pil-
lars of development on a global scale.
This means to be a part of different
networks, such as the Clinton Global
Initiative University, that has opened
doors for us to improve our business
model. United4Change has a positive
impact on families around the world.
Overall the accomplishments are
measured by the impact that we see
through how their lives are changed,
how they become independent, and
the tangible results. These people
come from nothing, and seeing their
ideas mature into working businesses
inspires me to work even harder in
what I do.
Q: Can you give me an example Q: What have you learned about
Q: What inspired you to create
of how you use business principles to
empower women in extreme poverty?
A: We believe in the power of
women and breaking the cycle of
poverty. Women have the potential
to start their own businesses even if
the challenges and opportunities that
you’ve experienced as a global social
entrepreneur?
A: I think there are many oppor-
tunities for social entrepreneurs in
both the for-profit and non-profit
arenas. Many investors have come
forward giving their support to im-
pact investing. This means that they
are investing in people for the aspect
of changing lives and caring about
the environment. The challenge is
trying to maintain that and be persis-
tent. It has become really competitive
but United4Change has never been
more ready to expand and meet new
challenges.
Q: As the new international cor-
respondent for International Focus
magazine, What are some of your
goals?
A: I will be in Thailand for three
months as part of the Fellowship
of Bayswater International. It will
be great opportunity to know the
country itself and learn more about
conflict resolution, strategies for
peacebuilding, and what is related to
global development. I want to be the
one who can share that excitement
about what is going on in the world
and bring it back to houston. Even
though we are a very international
city, it is always good to have people
remind you what is going on outside
of our city limits. To inform oth-
ers of what Young professionals and
people who work in non profits or
social business are doing actively to
improve the world in general. I am
honored and I want to expose the
reader to this global philanthropy.
What United4Change has been able
to accomplish is awe inspiring. Their
operation is a difficult one filled with
unique problems that are solved by
adaptation and close work with the
communities they work to improve.
The genuine ideals that bring this or-
ganization together is the foundation
that encourages others to learn from
their initiative.
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