Female Leaders Of The Americas
About Us
Female Leaders of the America was founded by Leslie, Gianela, and Kristie in early 2021 after receiving a mini-grant from the U.S. Department of State and Steven's Initiative. Through this program, we hope to connect young girls from throughout the world and inspire them to be leaders and pursue careers related to government, politics, international relations, language, culture, and a variety of other fields. Learn more about us below!
Our team
Kristie M.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Pronouns: She/her
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Kristie is a student at the University of California, Berkeley studying Global Studies. She currently lives in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. She is passionate about international exchange, global education, and foreign languages. Kristie co-founded FLOTA as a high school student in order to promote mutual understanding and foster dialogue between youth from North and South America. She is so excited to see the project grow and reach event more people.
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Rayssa S.
Operations Director​
Pronouns: She/her
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Rayssa is a 20 year old Brazilian girl from the northeast region. She is very passionate about many things in life, like politics, literature, music, cinema, sports, nature, and many other things. She is currently pursuing her degree in International Relations at UEPB. Her personal goal is to make a difference in the lives of the ones that need a change in our society independent of the professional path she'll choose.
Maria F.
Executive Director
Pronouns: She/her
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Maria Luiza is currently completing her undergraduate studies, with a strong interest in Neurosciences. She is passionate about science, medicine, and their intersection with the humanities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and playing guitar. What drew her to FLOTA was the opportunity to connect with people who share a passion for learning and leadership. She is proud to help amplify voices within the program and inspire participants to become transformative global leaders.
Sabrina S.
FLOTA Projects Director
Pronouns: She/they
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Sabrina is a student at UC Berkeley majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies. Passionate about evolutionary biology, natural history, and social justice, she plans to incorporate intersectionality within her studies and work towards a more sustainable society. She joined FLOTA at the start of the program, particularly taking an interest in the value of leadership and culture. In her free time, Sabrina loves to watch and analyze films, hike, and visit museums!
Priscila Carvalho
Outreach Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Priscila is a freshman at college in the US. She is involved in education, arts, books, volunteering, cultures, and more. Priscila's goal is to make an impact in the communities around her. She is excited to be back at FLOTA and be part of the team again.
Jéssica Almeida
Social Media Director
Pronouns: She/her
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Jéssica Almeida serves as the Social Media Director for the Female Leaders of the Americas program. She is passionate about leadership, innovation, the arts, and environmental impact, and she actively participates in projects focused on culture and women's empowerment. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Jéssica is dedicated to inspiring girls in her community to pursue their dreams, believe in themselves, and overcome obstacles. In her personal life, she loves animals and enjoys singing, drawing, and immersing herself in diverse cultures.
Dessiree M.
Social Media Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Hello! I’m Dessiree. It’s such a pleasure to be part of the Female Leaders of the Americas (FLOTA) for 2 years. This has been an incredible journey that has allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals. Also, as a dedicated advocate for STEM education and youth empowerment, I have pursued opportunities to explore the intersection of science, technology, and leadership. Looking forward, I aim to continue developing innovative solutions and fostering collaboration, all while pursuing my passion for empowering others to create a brighter future.
Mariangel M.
16 Days of Activism Director
Pronouns: She/her
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Mariangel Montilla is an inspiring Venezuelan medical student at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), who believes that every thought and voice matters. At 17, she has shown that words can transform the world in unique ways when we are brave enough to turn thoughts into action and repression into freedom. Her safe places are her family, being surrounded by books, horror movies, and the joy of learning new things. Her dream is to travel the world, build meaningful connections, and become a doctor with a scientific mind and a warm heart. “True leadership begins when courage speaks louder than fear.”
Ana Moreira
FLOTA Empowerment Program Co-Director
Pronouns: She/her
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I'm Brazilian, from São Paulo, and currently an undergraduate student in International Relations. I'm deeply passionate about global politics, particularly human rights, which I intend to dedicate myself to advocating for. I truly believe in the transformative power of education and knowledge, and I'm grateful for being able to participate in an initiative that supports them.
Kacy F.
FLOTA Empowerment Program Co-Director
Pronouns: She/her
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Katonya Fraser is a dedicated reader and writer with a deep passion for exploring ideas and expressing them clearly and effectively. As an honored member of FLOTA 2025, she has embraced the value of collaboration, recognizing that working alongside others is essential to achieving shared goals and fostering growth. Through her experiences, Katonya has developed strong communication and teamwork skills, which have been instrumental in both her personal and professional development. Committed to continuous learning, she actively seeks opportunities to expand her abilities and apply them in meaningful ways.
Luiza Caleia
FLOTA Summer Program Co-Director
Pronouns: She/her
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Luiza is an energetic high school student from Brazil and a FLOTA alumna. She leads a social impact club in her city and volunteers for Girls on the Path of Change, Girl Up Brazil, and LCOY Brazil. She also serves as a Teen Advisor for Girl Up Global and is part of the Latin America Leadership Academy (LALA) community. Her favorite field of study is the biological sciences, actively advocating for biodiversity protection. In addition, she is passionate about diversity and the humanities, having served as the Language and Culture Track Director at FLOTA 2025.
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Isabella B.
FLOTA Summer Program Co-Director
Pronouns: She/Her
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Isabella is a high school student in the US in South Florida. She is passionate about the intersection of technology, psychology, and advocacy, specifically focusing on expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM. This has led her to leading the Girls Who Code chapter at her school and founding Bytes & Books, a community initiative that provides hands-on coding workshops at local libraries and schools. She is also actively involved in various other organizations and projects centered around STEM, music, and education. She is so excited to deepen her involvement with FLOTA this year and work to connect and empower more girls across the Americas.
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Yasmim S.
Community Development Director
Pronouns: She/Her
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Hello! I am Yasmim Sousa, a high school student from Brazil passionate about science, leadership, and international relations. I serve as president of my school’s International Relations Club and actively participate in Model UN conferences, where I have received awards for my performance. I am also committed to academic excellence, with multiple medals in national science and math Olympiads. Beyond academics, I lead social and environmental initiatives such as FloreSer Amazônia and the Legião de Honra, projects focused on sustainability, community support, and youth empowerment. I enjoy writing, music, and embracing new challenges that combine knowledge with impact!
Micaela G.
Program Activity Coordinator
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Mica is a 15 years old student passionate about youth leadership, international relations, and sustainability. She is part of a UNICEF and Girl Up program, where she contributes to projects that foster leadership and social impact among young people. Dedicated to giving talks on issues that directly affect youth, she works to create spaces for dialogue, empowerment, and positive change.
Kay
International Relations Track Director
Pronouns: They/Them
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Kay is a college student from Ecuador who is passionate about international and local politics. They are double majoring in physics and chemistry in the US. In their free time, they enjoy playing with their two cats.
Fiorella H.
Government & Politics Track Director​
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She is a Peruvian law student with a strong focus on international law. She is the co-founder of IRIS, an international relations organization dedicated to fostering global research opportunities for high school students. She is also an active member of her university’s Model United Nations team, and is passionate about pursuing a career in Public Diplomacy. Beyond her studies, she has a dog whom she loves, and in her free time she plays jazz music.
Camilla Z.
Language & Culture Track Director
Pronouns: She/her
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​Hii, I am Camilla, a High School student from Minas Gerais, in Brazil. I am passionate about activism, international relations and education! One of my biggest dreams it is tô study abroad, travel the world and meet new people, places and cultures. Besides that, I love to read and to dance, I have been a ballerina for 10 years now!
Natalia da Silva
Human Rights & Law Track Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Natália is a Brazilian girl from Campinas, São Paulo. She is passionate about theology, astronomy, volunteering, TV series, and especially 80s music. Her hobbies include listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and baking sweets. Natália participated in FLOTA during the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. Now, she currently serves as the Director of Law and Human Rights for the 2026 season and is very excited about this new role.
The Female Leaders of the Americas program is currently supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State and Steven's Initiative. For more information about our sponsor, please read their statement below!
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"The Stevens Initiative Alumni Small Grants: The Experiment Digital is funded by the Stevens Initiative which is sponsored by the US Department of State and administered by the Aspen Institute. The Stevens Initiative is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. The Initiative is an international effort to build global competence and career readiness skills for young people in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa."