Dalai Lama Fellows
Inés Palacios
Leadership Vision
I believe that love, curiosity and "compassionate ambition" are forces that can transform the world. I envision a future where origin does not determine destiny, and where women from historically excluded communities—especially Indigenous women—can lead companies, generate dignified employment, and become bold risk-takers in their own right. My leadership seeks to expand opportunity by building bridges between local talent and global ecosystems. Ultimately, I believe that being a global citizen should not be a privilege for the few, but a right accessible to all.
Project Description
Chaka is an NGO that supports low-income women entrepreneurs in Argentina. According to the IDB, 99.5% of businesses in Latin America are micro, small, and medium enterprises; they generate 64% of employment but contribute only 25% of GDP, as many operate in survival mode. Chaka’s mission is to shift that paradigm—from subsistence to growth—with women at the center. Our model combines business training, emotional support, and connections to new commercial allies to help women increase their income and build sustainable enterprises.