With a network of over 1,400 leaders from 115 countries, the Atlas Corps Community is growing every day. It is time to look back and to showcase the achievements of amazing network and share stories on the global impact of our Alumni, Fellows, and Scholars.
Today we speak with Atlas Corps Scholar Brayan (Cohort 3, Nicaragua) from our Virtual Leadership Institute. Brayan is the International Mentor at Global Leadership Adventures, an organization that develops young leaders and global thinkers through immersive service-learning abroad programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Brayan, we are grateful for your impressive work towards global youth development in Nicaragua. Thank you for sharing with us your global impact, as well as your personal and professional growth. We wish you the best with this impactful work!
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Name: Brayan Anibal Torres Obando Home Country: Nicaragua Current Organization: Global Leadership Adventures Role at current organization: International Mentor Social Issues that you have worked with: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities, and Life below water |
Tell us about projects you have worked on?
As a Mentor, I encourage and motivate youth to live their values, take action, connect and influence. I facilitate and provide them with resources through mentorship to successfully complete their service programs and to be aware of social issues that are impacting our world. I ensure their wellbeing and safety, and create safe environment for their personal and professional growth.
Why is it important for you to work towards youth leadership development?
Working with youth empowerment and youth leadership is very important to me because I did not have the opportunity to be part of a leadership program when I was younger. Now, as a young adult, I feel it is my responsibility to lead by example and encourage new generations to become leaders and global citizens, young leaders with awareness about global issues, and most importantly, young leaders that take action.
How has Atlas Corps contributed to your professional and personal accomplishments?
The Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute provided me with a handful of resources and tools to improve my project planning, networking and organizational skills, as well as creating new connections with changemakers from all over the world, thus we were able to share resources and ideas, provide feedback on each other’s projects, and also receive the guidance and support from our Virtual Leadership Institute mentor.
What is your favorite Atlas Corps memory?
It would be the coffee/tea virtual meetings, especially the ones I’ve had with my fellow Alum Mahamadou Dao. As we shared about our work and our projects, I realized that we are both passionate about youth and public health. We also shared tips on improving our projects, and then at the end we shared job opportunities. I think this one was one of the most productive and rewarding virtual coffees I’ve had.
What advice do you have for applicants and current Scholars?
It is very important to ask questions. Even if you think you know the answer or you are an expert, take this as an opportunity to update and upgrade your skills. Try to keep up with the assignments and reach out for help because everyone is going through the same. Also, supporting each other is beneficial for all parties. If you think you know the answer, share it, because you never know if anyone on your team is looking for that piece of advice for their own project or if it is what they need to succeed in their own personal/professional interests.
What message would you like to send to individuals who support Atlas Corps?
First of all, THANK YOU for dedicating your time, resources and contribution to Atlas Corps and to us (Alumni and Fellows). Your actions are impacting the lives of hundreds of young leaders around the globe with passion and drive to become stronger leaders, inspiring role models and most importantly, agents of change in their own communities.
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Photos from Brayan’s personal archive
