Young Leaders of The Americas Initiative (YLAI) Program Opening

YLAI 2016

September 29, 2016

Media Contact: For more information, or to RSVP, please contact
Monique McSween | (202) 939-5882 | mmcsween@meridian.org

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Obama Administration Initiative Brings 250 Young Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean to Dallas

WHAT:

Opening of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)

250 young leaders representing 35 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean will convene with senior officials from the U.S. Department of State, as well as top business leaders from Texas, for the opening of the 2016 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program. Known as the "Impact City", Dallas provides the ideal entrepreneurial setting and diverse culture for this inaugural event.

Launched by President Barack Obama, the YLAI Professional Fellows Program is an international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Meridian International Center. This dynamic program will help address the opportunity gap for youth, especially women, by providing entrepreneurs and civil society leaders with the training, tools, networks, and resources they need to transform their societies and contribute more fully to economic development and prosperity, security, human rights, and good governance in the hemisphere.

WHO:

250 young leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Sarah Heck, Director for Global Engagement, White House
  • Chris Miner, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State;
  • Mara Tekach, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State;
  • Nina Vaca, Founder and CEO of Pinnacle Technical Resources, Inc.; Director, Startup America Partnership; Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship; and
  • Pablo Gato, CEO, Gato Communications, National and International TV Correspondent, producer, and news director.

WHEN:

Wednesday, October 5, 2016
8:30am – 10am (Opening Sessions at the Crowne Plaza Addison)
1:00pm – 3:00pm (Presentation by Pablo Gato, CEO of Gato Communications)

Thursday, October 6, 2016
8:45am – 2:30pm (Sessions at the Crowne Plaza Addison)
6:30pm – 8:30pm (Networking Reception at the Nasher Sculpture Center)

WHERE:

Crowne Plaza Addison
14315 Midway Road
Addison, TX 75001

Nasher Sculpture Center
2001 Flora St.
Dallas, Texas 75201

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