Virginia Lorenzo, Americas Regional Conference, Guatemala 2025

Virginia Lorenzo (pictured above in the center wearing a blue shirt)
Co-Local Committee President AIESEC at Northwestern
Conference Attended: Americas Regional Conference, Guatemala 2025

To the JoAnn Boland Scholarship generous donors, 

I want to begin by saying thank you. Because of your support, I had the incredible opportunity to attend AIESEC’s Americas Regional Conference for the first time in my time at AIESEC. This experience was far more than just a gathering of leaders; it was a transformative journey that renewed my passion, expanded my perspective, and equipped me with a backpack full of resources to bring back to AIESEC at Northwestern. 

At AMCO, I had the privilege of building genuine connections with AIESECers from across the Americas. Mainly, I had the chance to interact and develop partnerships with delegates of Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Panama, and Ecuador. Apart from our friendly conversations, we were able to have honest, inspiring dialogues about how each Local Committee operates, looking at each other’s challenges, offering possible solutions, and dreaming big for their future. 

One of the most valuable moments came during a hands-on workshop where different departments set up stations, and we were invited to sit down with people excelling in their roles. I came prepared with targeted questions, ready to absorb everything I could. And I left each table with strategies, tips, and motivation that I’ve already started applying back home. During breaks and late-night conversations, I found myself constantly engaging with peer LCPs, swapping ideas that ranged from light-hearted topics (for instance, people were shocked that Northwestern did not have a mascot, so we got one – it’s a bean, and its name is Beanie!) to strategic improvements like goal-setting based on IR partners to make our marketing efforts more impactful. 

One of the most powerful things I walked away with is this: I want others to experience what I did. Listening to the stories, ideas, and energy from other AIESECers across the continent was truly eye-opening. It reminded me why I joined this organization in the first place, and why I continue to take on leadership roles. That is why, since coming back, I have made it a priority to leverage the connections I built at AMCO. We have started hosting IR Partnership calls during FTM (Function Team Meetings), giving our members the opportunity to directly engage with their counterparts across the globe. The goal is to not just work together, but to understand each other – our motivations, our goals, and our challenges – so we can build partnerships that are personal and powerful. Furthemore, by listening to those who sell our programs, we can better understand them and improve our sales pitch. Lastly, we can learn from each other’s mistakes, setting ourselves for success as a team. 

On a deeper level, AMCO helped me reconnect with AIESEC’s essence. Whether it was the workshops on our mission, the hackathon hosted during AMCO, or the moments of joy – like dancing roll calls during every break time we had, and chanting “ole ole ole ole, Americas” at the end of each day – I felt the spirit of this organization in a way I hadn’t in a long time. It was grounding. It was empowering. 

Since returning, I’ve shared that energy with my Local Committee. I organized an “Essence LCM” using materials from the conference to reignite that same sense of purpose among our members. I also encouraged my team to attend the Spring Conference here in Chicago; our original goal was 8 delegates, but I’m thrilled to announce that 10 delegates attended the conference, including all EB members and two newly recruited AIESECers. This momentum is only just beginning. 

Thanks for your support. The reality is that I didn’t just attend a conference: I grew as a leader, re-centered on my mission, and returned with a full backpack of tools, ideas, and connections that will continue to uplift our committee and the people in it. AMCO reminded me that leadership is not a role; it’s a responsibility to uplift others, and an opportunity to keep learning every step of the way. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me and in the mission of AIESEC. I’m proud to carry it forward. 

With gratitude, 

Virginia Lorenzo
Co-Local Committee President, AIESEC at Northwestern