Aspire Leaders Program

Today, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Hillary Nohelia Cardama Freitas, a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alumna from Peru.

Cardama very recently graduated from the Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana with a degree in International Business and Tourism. After graduating, she traveled to the United States to participate in a leadership program funded by the State Department, and she will be here for the next few weeks visiting other states around the country.

We wish Cardama all the best throughout the remainder of her trip, and we look forward to keeping in touch as she starts this next exciting chapter in her life.

This , we are sharing some wise words from the Vice Chairman at IFAD Group, Tashfeen Ahmed.

Exceptional leadership is characterized by the ability to effectively connect with others, foster collaboration, tackle challenges, and understand emotional dynamics. Leaders that nurture these skills are ultimately more successful in earning trust from those who follow them and inspiring and guiding their teams.

Making a cold connection on LinkedIn can be a powerful way to expand your network, but it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. Here are some tips to help you make a strong first impression!

As Aspire Institute's Finance Director, Art Hunt, reminds us: success comes from hard work and dedication. When you invest time and effort into what you do, you'll find that more opportunities will become available.

Keep an eye out for these chances, and try saying "yes" to as many as you can. You never know just how many doors even one opportunity can open for you.

Taking the time to enjoy our hobbies is important for relaxing, avoiding burnout, and allowing us the proper space to express ourselves.

For today's , we want to hear from you: what activities are you passionate about? How do you find time to pursue these interests amidst your busy schedule?

Share your answers in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to keep doing what we love!

This , we are sharing some incredibly wise words from Carter Crocker, an Emmy Award-winning writer and story editor in the animation industry.

As we get older, some of us develop a tendency to downplay our accomplishments and skills. Over time, we may even start to doubt the worth of our achievements and become discouraged. This is why it is important to always remind ourselves that we are much more capable than we know.

We all have the potential to do amazing things, and the best first step toward achieving them is believing in ourselves and our abilities.

Properly preparing for a new semester at your university can set the tone for a successful and less stressful experience. Click through these images to read a few tips that can help you feel ready to tackle the semester with confidence and clarity.

It's time for some from beloved Australian conservationist and television personality, Steve Irwin — famously known as "The Crocodile Hunter."

Irwin passionately advocated for the protection of endangered species and their environments, and he dedicated his life to making wildlife education accessible and engaging. His words empower us to utilize our own ambitions to fuel the drive to achieve our dreams.

Success is within reach if you approach your goals with genuine passion and energy.

This , we are proud to feature another Aspire alumnus and Top 50 Finalist for the 2024 Chegg.org Global Student Prize!

Despite facing significant hardships in his youth, Clinton Okechukwu worked hard to excel academically and inspire others through his journey. His passion for teaching led him to pursue a future in health advocacy where he could guide others and encourage them to live healthy lives.

Okechukwu has led several health campaigns and even founded the I-CARE Campaign. This campaign aims to prevent avoidable blindness by offering free cataract surgeries and eye health education. He has since helped over 6,000 people.

We wish Okechukwu the best of luck in the upcoming selection rounds and invite you to learn more about his journey and incredible work: https://bit.ly/3yFyClo

This , we are featuring a quote that was cited during today's Cohort 2 graduation celebration.

Søren Kierkegaard, Danish existentialist philosopher, theologian, and cultural critic, reminds us that, while we can learn from the past, the act of living requires us to embrace the unknown and keep moving forward. Use what you've learned from past experience to inform your present decisions and carve out a better future.

This , we're wrapping up Indeed's best practices for optimizing your resume. Click through for tips on getting your resume through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and to a hiring manager.

Check out the full article here: https://indeedhi.re/3AbSnRU

Warren Bennis, a renowned American scholar and pioneer in the field of Leadership studies, profoundly challenged the belief that leadership is an innate quality determined by genetics. Bennis asserted that being a good leader is not a matter of being born with certain charismatic qualities but is instead a result of growth and development.

Anyone can become a leader by by cultivating the necessary skills and experiences.

When applying for a job, keep in mind that your resume may need to pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before it is seen by a hiring manager.

To celebrate the start of Module 1's personal and professional development workshops for Cohort 3 participants, we're sharing some tips from Indeed for best practices on optimizing your resume and getting it through an ATS!

Check out the full article: https://indeedhi.re/3AbSnRU

It's time for some !

Linda Fraga is an inspiring 2020 Aspire Leaders Program alumna from Brazil who is now the Brand Lead and Social Media Manager for One League. Throughout her journey, Fraga has used her creative skills and passion for positive change to carve out her own space in the professional world and social impact sphere.

Her story stands as a testament to the power of harnessing one's strengths to achieve goals and drive change. It reminds us that, no matter where your talents are focused, you have the ability to channel them into creating a successful future for yourself and a lasting impact on society.

Learn more about Fraga's journey on our website: https://bit.ly/3SZKBkP

Arianne Evans, a 2024 graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, led a Mentorship Series session for Aspire alumni last month and shared her expertise on negotiations. She has recently transitioned to a new job with Kite Insights that combines her interests in education and environmental sustainability.

Working with diverse communities is another one of Evans' passions, and this , her words teach us the importance of engaging with those from different backgrounds. Developing our cultural awareness helps us realize that we all share many commonalities, and this fosters greater understanding and respect among all peoples — leading to a richer, more connected global community.

Read more about Evans and her journey on our website: https://bit.ly/3A4yNXD

Achieving proper work-life balance is important in managing stress levels and improving one's happiness and overall mental health! For today's , we're sharing some tips from Forbes that can help you in finding that balance in your own life.

Check out Forbes' article on "How To Blend Your Career With Your Passions" to learn more: https://bit.ly/4d46Iyb

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, known as P.V. Sindhu, has played an instrumental role in placing India on the badminton map and has successfully maintained her position as one of the top women's singles players in India's history of the sport.

With two Olympic medals already under her belt, Sindhu has returned to compete on the global stage in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Her words for today's remind us that, as we go through life, we never once stop learning. Each day is a wonderful opportunity to learn something new and grow as an individual.

Congratulations to 2023 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus, Ramdani, who recently made the finalist list for the 2024 Chegg Global Student Prize! This $100,000 award is given to an exceptional student who works to create positive change in the world and makes a powerful impact on education, their peers, and society.

Ramdani founded Ucoolwecool, an organization that provides free mentoring and training on topics such as sustainability, public speaking, and leadership in Indonesia. We wish him the best of luck in the upcoming selection rounds!

Learn more about Ramdani's journey and his inspiring work here: https://bit.ly/4deWhYr