The Light - An Alumni Publication Summer 2015 | Page 13
Photos by Betty Krenek
FLYNN COLEMAN
PROGRAM: Italy, 1996
OCCUPATION: International human rights lawyer;
Founder & CEO of Malena
HOME: San Francisco, CA
the founder, in her own words
As an international lawyer, my focus is on
innovative approaches to economic empowerment. My
background is in economic development, international
trade law, international criminal law, reconciliation,
and improving access to justice through innovative
approaches to education and empowerment. These
experiences, and my conversations with people around
the world, have formed my belief that we can have
a huge impact on people’s well-being by investing
in them so that they can invest in themselves.
Investing in people became the foundation for
my new social enterprise: Malena. We are addressing
economic development in innovative ways, beginning
with an e-commerce platform where you can shop
gorgeous, ethically sourced goods that tell a story
and support economic empowerment for people
around the world. We plan to continue to invest
in creative ways to support dignity and economic
agency in communities worldwide, building tools,
avenues, and infrastructure to support people’s
own self-directed economic independence.
Ultimately, the most effective way to support
everyone’s right to dignity and agency is to provide
opportunity. And my opportunity to play soccer
abroad with YFU became an integral part of who I
Coleman in Rwanda (photo taken by B
am. We are all a part of the same global community,etty Krenek)
the same team. Sharing our stories and connecting
with people around the world is the principle behind
my company and my life’s work; it is who I strive
to be as a person, doing what I can to help people
when I can. Just like my Italian family took me in,
gave me a place to call home, and inspired me with
their kindness, resilience, humanity, and love. ■
Read Coleman’s complete story of self-discovery, the generosity of strangers, and
her work empowering women and advancing human rights at blog.yfu.com. >>
YFU
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