50 Weeks of Opportunity
Each week for the next 50 weeks, we will share a piece of Opportunity’s history—major or minor, sobering or inspiring, we have gotten where we are today by facing some of the world’s greatest challenges, with you by our side. Please join us in celebrating the many impactful moments that have built the foundation on which we will embark on our most audacious vision yet: ending extreme poverty.
Meet Emily from YAO-DC
Hi, I'm Emily, co-chair of YAO-DC! I serve as Memberships Manager for Meridian International Center, a 50 year-old, non-partisan internationally-focused non-profit organization that bridges and brokers relationships between public, private, and diplomatic sector leaders, including Ambassadors posted in DC. Specifically, I facilitate Meridian's Corporate Council and Council on Women's Leadership programs, through which we help members connect with Meridian's network of emerging leaders who represent…
Read MoreMeet Keri from YAO-New York
Hi! I'm Keri and I'm a marketer with experience helping brands like Adidas, Campbell's, Fox Home Entertainment, InterContinental Hotels Group, Target, UPS and Yahoo!. I am currently an account executive with SS+K, a creative marketing communications firm. Previously, I worked with Hill+Knowlton's consumer marketing team on international and domestic clients. I graduated from Liberty University in 2012 with a B.S. Communication Studies and originally hail from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.I first read…
Read MoreEntrepreneurcast: Meet Kaelen McCrane, Founder and Principal at The West is Dead
Kaelen McCrane is the co-chair of YAO-Los Angeles. He is also Founder and Principal at The West is Dead, a critically acclaimed fashion company. Our March Entrepreneurcast featured Kaelen and his story of moving from an outdoor outfitter at a ranch in Montana to a fashion entrepreneur in Los Angeles. Watch Kaelen's Entrepreneurcast below, and be sure to join us for our next webinar next month!
Read MoreWhy Do We Invest In Women?
In spite of the challenges they face, women worldwide show inspiring resilience and determination to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Read MoreInternational Women's Day is March 8
International Women's Day is March 8. Help us inspire change and make a positive impact on women and communities around the world.
Read MoreMeet Rohit from YAO-Chicago
Hi! My name is Rohit and I serve as co-chair of YAO-Chicago, helping coordinate fundraising, education, and networking events revolving around microfinance for Chicago area young professionals. I eagerly support microfinance because of its ability to help people pridefully help themselves in a highly sustainable fashion. Professionally, I work with at an investment firm but personally, I love economics podcasts, the Chicago Bulls, and hot sauce.
Read MoreMeet Caroline from YAO-Dallas
Hi, I'm Caroline! I am a theatre artist teaching students ages 3 - 10 in the Dallas area and a part-time kindergarten assistant at The Lamplighter School. I spend my free time reading books, knitting scarves for friends and family, and organizing weekend picnics and other activities for children in urban Dallas. I spent two years serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, where I taught English and served as president for a nation-wide environmental organization. In addition to education and the environment,…
Read MoreMeet Alexa from YAO-New York
Hi, I'm Alexa. I am a Portfolio Manager in Capital One’s Public Finance group. I specialize in New Market Tax Credits providing below market rate financing to catalyze development in low income neighborhoods. I am also building an Alternative Energy investment and production tax credit business. I became involved with YAO because I wanted to leverage my finance background to give back to the community. YAO is also a great way to connect with young professionals interested in microfinance and to…
Read MoreEntrepreneurcast: Meet Amanda Britt, Founder and CEO of Panzanzee
The Young Ambassadors for Opportunity network is comprised of hundreds of amazing young leaders committed to making a sustainable impact in the fight against global poverty. These Young Ambassadors not only advocate, educate and fundraise on behalf of Opportunity International, but they also create innovative and influential solutions to big challenges through their careers. We thought it was time to celebrate these accomplishments. Each month, we will meet a Young Ambassador who is also an entrepreneur…
Read MoreChatting with Thomas Balya Bugembe, a School Proprietor in Uganda
On Wednesday, February 12, Campus Ambassadors and Young Ambassadors for Opportunity welcomed Thomas Balya Bugembe for a live chat. Thomas is a school proprietor in Uganda who has grown the Maryhill Primary School and Kindergarten outside of Kampala, Uganda from 37 students to over 700 students with tools and training from Opportunity International. One of 13 children, Thomas and his brother were the only two siblings who were able to go to secondary school. After briefly attending seminary, Thomas…
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