Panama

Virginia Campo has three years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in International Relations and Latin American Studies from Florida State University and has complemented her education with leadership development and social entrepreneurship programs with the Leadership Exchange Institute. She has worked in two United Nations agencies and in the field with an American sustainable development company, Kalu Yala, in addition to experience in the banking sector with HSBC. Virginia has gained valuable project management and report writing skills while working in the United Nations, and has broadened this knowledge with first-hand field experiences as a Community Outreach Director in a rural town outside of Panama City. Living in the rural areas awoke her passion for women’s empowerment, which led her to start Hecha y Derecha, an NGO devoted to bridging the gap between women in rural and urban areas through leadership and entrepreneurship education. Virginia has honed her quantitative, analytical and financial management skills as a Management Trainee Officer with HSBC Bank. She wishes to apply these skills to advance the work of nonprofit organizations.

Host Organization: 2Degrees Foods

Adriana has five years of experience in the nonprofit sector and nine years working with social ventures. She earned a Bachelor’s of Social Sciences in Social Communications from USMA University in Panama. In 2013, Adriana joined a social enterprise ThinkImpact as Country Coordinator to establish their in-country operations. These operations were focused on social innovation programs carried out by foreign volunteers in rural communities of Panama. Previously, Adriana served for nine months as Project Officer in Save the Children’s regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean, and created internal communications channels to connect seven country offices. Earlier, Adriana worked for three years with nonprofit Global Brigades, as their Business Program Director and Deputy Director. As the first locally hired, she became President of the local entity of the organization as well. In Global Brigades and ThinkImpact, Adriana connected university volunteers from the United States with indigenous and rural entrepreneurs to create a social business or improve an existent business using design thinking, social innovation and consulting skills. She also built relationships with Peace Corps Panama, the U.S. Embassy, Indigenous Congresses, local nonprofits, academic institutions, community leaders and government agencies. Adriana has strong leadership, project management, strategy creation, and business consulting skills. She is passionate about social entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and corporate social responsibility.

Host Organization: WakaWaka

Role at Host Organization: As Strategic Operations Coordinator, Adriana will provide extensive research and market analysis for Mexico market entry. In addition, she will coordinate the participation of WakaWaka in technology events and support the development of WakaWaka’s marketing materials and campaigns.