Atlas Corps volunteers are essential to the organization for making sure things run smoothly. Today, we would like to talk more about Atlas Corps Group Captains. Our Group Captains facilitate monthly peer coaching groups as part of our new Virtual Leadership Institute, an online learning community for global social change leaders from around the world.

Since launching the Virtual Leadership Institute, 16 Atlas Corps Alumni became our Group Captains helping Scholars create a productive environment for co-learning, develop leadership projects, and guide discussions about leadership and social impact. Today we talk with Fernanda, Atlas Corps Alumna from Mexico and an excellent Group Captain for the Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute. Learn more about Fernanda’s current impact as an Atlas Corps Alumna here.


Name: Fernanda Garza

Home Country: Mexico

Social Issue/Interest Area: Human Rights, Youth Development

Fun fact: I’m a TEDx Talk Speaker

 

Why did you decide to volunteer for Atlas Corps as a Group Captain?

I loved the opportunity to help other global leaders who, like me, saw an opportunity to develop projects and create impact in their countries, with the help of Atlas Corps. At the end of the day, helping others is one of the values of being an Atlas Corps Fellow.

How has volunteering with Atlas Corps impacted you?

It’s been incredible to be with people from all over the world, and help them thrive in their projects! It impacted me since the moment I knew there are people making better societies out there. Especially with my group! There were Palestinian Scholars when all the conflict erupted, and it meant a lot that they still showed up for the Virtual Leadership Institute peer coaching calls.

What message would you like to send to individuals who are thinking of volunteering with Atlas Corps as a Group Captain?

This is the best experience ever! Do it! There’s nothing more empowering than helping to develop other people.


Atlas Corps Scholar Ako (Cohort 2, Nigeria) shares, “Fernanda was our Captain at the Virtual Leadership Institute Cohort 2. The group comprised 6 scholars from different countries. As a Captain, Fernanda made sure everyone of us was carried along. She knew each of us by our profiles, strengths, and weaknesses. She was humble, cheerful, patient, a good listener, and encourager; deeply concerned about our individual welfare and enjoyed learning from us as well. We all considered her a friend and sister. Fernanda was conscientious. She endeavoured to fix our meetings when it was convenient for everyone, was detailed and ensured that all aspects of our mentoring scheme was covered. I consider Fernanda to be a disciplined and empathic leader who puts service above self.”

Atlas Corps Scholar Musah (Cohort 2, Ghana) shares, “Working with Fernanda as my Group Captain at the Virtual Leadership Institute has been both engaging and revealing. Fernanda appeared to be approachable, supportive and educative. My experience with Fernanda greatly enhanced my team working skills, relative to reducing incidence of conflict during teamwork whilst eliciting great deal of commitment from team members.”


Thank you, Fernanda and our hundreds of volunteers who help achieve the Atlas Corps mission every day. Learn more about becoming a volunteer at volunteer.atlascorps.org.


On November 20, Atlas Corps celebrates 15 years of engaging social change leaders. Join us to honor our legacy of service with more than 1,100 leaders from 110 countries at the Atlas Corps 15-Year Anniversary Gala. We will convene friends of Atlas Corps from all sectors and regions of the world to reflect on 15 years of engaging social changemakers and inspire towards our future. Join to connect with our community, meet Fellows, and celebrate Atlas Corps!


Photo from Fernanda’s personal archive