As a university student in Colombia, Natalia Díaz studied chemical engineering. However, after co-founding the eco-friendly cleaning and disinfection firm Prolicar, she sought new learning opportunities. Díaz, 27, was accepted into the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellows Program. She is one of four fellows mentored by educators at Extension during the spring of 2021.
“The YLAI Professional Fellows Program provides an opportunity for University of Minnesota Extension educators to engage in citizen diplomacy by connecting with young leaders from across the Western Hemisphere for mutual learning of skills and sharing life experiences,” says John Vreyens, director of Extension Global Initiatives.
Fellows are matched with a host organization in the United States before receiving mentorship (online this year) over the course of four weeks. The YLAI Fellows program is anchored in a spirit of respect and mutual discovery. The young entrepreneurs and Extension Educators built upon their cultural competencies while learning about other countries.
