The three young Guyanese entrepreneurs selected for the YLAI Fellowship

Three young Guyanese entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in the 2021 American Young Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program which begins in January and ends in April.
The U.S. Embassy in Guyana said the program will bring together 263 young leaders from 37 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada for a virtual fellowship.
This year, three young leaders from Guyana have been accepted out of over 2300 applicants. The three Guyanese chosen are Filisha Duke, Joylyn John and Maleka Russell.
Filisha Duke is the founder and CEO (CEO) of Sure Gig and has experience in securing contracts and building key partnerships to further the company’s objectives. During the fellowship, Duke aims to learn effective approaches to managing and sustaining financial growth, strategies on increasing market share, brand awareness and sales, and how to facilitate graduation and expansion.
In addition, John is the Managing Director of Juneberry GY and has experience in leadership, the retail market, and extensive knowledge in business operations.
During the fellowship, John hopes to learn the legal side of running a business locally and internationally, hone his leadership skills and “knowledge” when approaching investors with investment proposals, and how to maximize returns in his business . ,
Russell, on the other hand, owns Green Valley Organics and has experience in insect and pest control, sheltered vegetable growing technologies, and climate-conscious agricultural practices.
During the fellowship, Russell is keen to learn about business development, develop a business model for agricultural sustainability, and engage with other entrepreneurs as they promote healthy lifestyles through better nutrition.
The YLAI 2021 Fellowship Program, sponsored by the US State Department’s Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs, includes a three-month virtual fellowship.
During this time, fellows will complete the YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum and work with a host institution in the US for four weeks.
They will also be paired with a designated mentor and will collaborate with other fellows to address shared foreign policy challenges throughout the exchange. They will also take part in live events and cross-cultural activities.
The program is a rich, collaborative experience that combines technical entrepreneurship training with leadership development and networking opportunities. The US Embassy explained that the YLAI Fellowship Program is part of the US continued commitment to the prosperity of Guyana and the region.

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