Aspire Institute and Wichay Continental partner with a shared belief that many young people worldwide can drive positive change. This partnership has the potential to open pathways for Peruvian students and Latin American youth pursuing global education opportunities. Continental International Education operates across four countries – Peru, United States, Mexico, and Spain. They serve over 100,000 students through various educational programs. Wichay Continental functions as their specialized entrepreneurship and innovation center, dedicated to developing business leaders and innovators.
Alumni who complete the Aspire Leaders Program (ALP) pursue various paths. This typically includes employment opportunities, graduate school, or entrepreneurial ventures. They do this all with newfound skills, a global network, and the confidence in their leadership ability. As an Aspire Global Partner, Wichay Continental encourages their network to join ALP and supports the ALP alumni network.
After an introduction through an alumni volunteer in Peru, we met Clarissa Palomino, Program Coordinator at Wichay and fellow ALP alum. Palomino shared more about the organization. It was clear how our missions align and the potential this partnership has for Latin American youth and beyond.
Can you describe briefly the mission and focus of Wichay Continental?
We foster the development of entrepreneurial talent through formative and collaborative experiences, supporting students and entrepreneurs as they design and implement innovative, sustainable solutions that create impact both locally and globally.
Why do you feel the work you do is especially important for young people, particularly first-generation university students and those from low-income backgrounds?
Our work opens doors that have often been out of reach for these young people. At Wichay, we don’t just promote entrepreneurship and innovation, we create an environment where students and entrepreneurs can discover their potential, develop concrete skills, and connect with a support network that empowers them to create real impact in their communities.
We believe talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not. We work to close that gap through programs tailored to people with an entrepreneurial spirit, complemented by our Mentor Club, where experienced entrepreneurs and specialists guide and support those leading startups, small and medium businesses, or traditional ventures, and our Fellows Club, made up of young people eager to learn more about the ecosystem.
We also foster collaborative spaces and awareness initiatives to promote an entrepreneurial culture, offer academic courses that build leadership and innovation skills, and provide extracurricular activities focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and current technologies.
We want every student and entrepreneur, regardless of their background, to be able to create, lead, and transform their surroundings through their own ideas or early-stage businesses, with regional impact and global connections.
What encouraged you to partner with Aspire Institute? How do you see our missions aligning?
We were encouraged by our shared vision of promoting inclusive leadership and creating real opportunities for those who are often left out of traditional development spaces. Both of our institutions believe in the power of young, diverse talent to drive positive change. Aspire’s program offers transformative modules that invite us to question our leadership style, strengthen our professional profile, and design purpose-driven, innovative projects.
I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Aspire Institute — a partnership that builds bridges toward inclusive, responsible, and impactful leadership. I’m confident that it will continue opening pathways for Peruvian and Latin American youth, who have tremendous potential to lead the changes the world needs.
What have you heard from Aspire Leaders Program alumni about their experience?
I’ve heard very positive feedback about how inspiring the program was in helping them discover their purpose, build confidence as leaders, and connect with an international network of like-minded individuals. They also noted that it opened doors, motivated them to keep growing, and, thanks to the community of leaders in Peru, allowed them to expand their networks and meet others developing their leadership in different regions.
What are you most excited about in this partnership moving forward?
I’m excited about the possibility of expanding access and creating more opportunities for students at Universidad Continental to participate in the program. I’m also motivated by the chance to co-create spaces that combine our strengths and continue supporting young people. I’m convinced that together we can achieve a broader, more sustainable impact for young people in Latin America.
If you had to think of a few words of advice for young leaders today, what would you say?
Trust your voice and the value of your experiences, even if your path feels uncertain or unconventional. Be persistent, and always remember that leadership starts by serving and listening to those who need it most.
