Laiz Soares studied International Relations at PUC Minas, as well as Administration and Marketing at ESSCA in France. She also studied Leadership, Project Management, Communication and Governmental Relations at Isper, FAAP, and Falconi, in São Paulo. In addition, Laiz was trainee and Operations Supervisor at FedEx Express and Innovation Project Manager at Fundação Brava for three years. She has 10 years of  experience in the universe of high impact project management, covering topics such as government and institutional relations, fundraising and people management. Laiz led the campaign of Congresswoman Tabata Amaral, the 6th most voted congresswoman in Brazil with more than 250 thousand votes. Furthermore, she was the deputy's chief of staff and worked on political strategies. Also, she fulfilled the role of the most voted candidate for mayor in the history of Divinópolis, with more than 20 thousand votes. Laiz founded '"Nenhuma Mulher a Menos" (No Women Less) and "Elas Por Divinópolis" (Woman for Divinópolis), both are local women's empowerment projects. Laiz is driven by challenges, impacts and leadership boosting in all my professional and personal path. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Programming Futures

For the project, 30 selected women were provided with classes about social, emotional and technical content in the business market. Classes were offered in technology, finance, social-emotional and entrepreneurship. Programming Futures addressed two main purposes: lack of opportunities for vulnerable women in Brazil and the invisibility they face in politics and society. This project showed politicians, policymakers and government leaders that it is worth preparing women for the job market. The program included women in the financial market and as a result hopes to reduce female violence through inclusion. Those who finished the classes, experienced greater interview preparation, a higher self-esteem, and a better perception of their skills. As social microcredit banking has proven to be very effective in many underdeveloped countries, the intention of this project in Minas Gerais was to innovate and also be a future case study.  Programming Futures aimed to understand the reality and needs of the participants and improve the support available to them.

“Before the course, I didn't have a vision about the world of work, and I didn't know a way to save money. Going into the course was very important for me to understand more about the working world. I had several tips on how to make my website and so it was essential for me to get the job I am in today.”- Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Laiz was a participant in the IVLP Project Promoting a Prosperous, Safe, and Democratic Future, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center.

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually 

Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Boston MA

Country: Brazil

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