Santa Clara University

Alma Cota de Yanez, Class of 2005

The Ripple Effect of GWLN: Eliminating Poverty Across Borders

We are pleased to feature Alma Cota de Yanez, Executive Director of Fundacion del Empresariado Sonorense (FESAC) as our final story on "The Ripple Effect of Global Women Leaders". Alma graduated from GWLN's first leadership program in 2005 and leads a community foundation that provides critical social services for poor families living in the border towns of Nogales, Mexico and Nogales, Arizona.

Eradicating Extreme Poverty

Born in Mexico south of Nogales, Alma is personally committed to combatingextreme poverty in this region. Since 2006, she and a team of community leaders have provided training programs, nutritional services, self-employment guidance and support for people with disabilities, often working with migrant workers and their families.

GWLN Leads to Successful Partnerships

During the GWLN program, Alma engaged in "out of the box" exercises such as Top of the Mountain. These experiences and the management skills she acquired enabled Alma to develop a strong collaborative network that includes academic, business and government partnerships. Under Alma's leadership, FESAC also formed an endowment fund to support dozens of local non-profit organizations.

"GWLN strengthened my leadership skills to develop mutually beneficial relationships with U.S. and Mexican partners." -- Alma Cota de Yanez

One Woman. One Ripple Effect. Thousands of Better Lives.

FESAC partners with Santa Cruz Community Foundation, a sister organization in Nogales, Arizona to support needy families on both sides of the border. Services range from children shelters, to literacy centers, to soup kitchens and health education. By developing strong U.S. and Mexican partnerships, Alma has created a long-lasting ripple effect that has helped over 40,000 people.

Donate to GWLN and help us continue to deliver leadership programs that realize our vision for a better future based on social justice for all. Your donation will be used to invest in women leaders like Alma Cota de Yanez. Whether your gift is $100 or $1000, every donation matters.