Poonam Ahluwalia

 

Executive Director YES

 

Founded YES in 1998 to place youth employment and entrepreneurship on the global agenda.  She has served as mentor for over 55 YES Country Networks, organized five global YES Summits (Egypt 2002, Mexico 2004, Kenya 2006, Azerbaijan 2008, and Sweden 2010), and four Regional Summits. YES has produced over 120 original documents on youth employment and compiled a global knowledge resource of 1000 effective practices. Through her innovative, low-touch, high impact approach to development over 400 projects were initiated and implemented by YES Networks around the world. In 2012 she founded YouthTrade an innovative architecture designed to certify products of mission-driven youth entrepreneurs and work to provide them market access and demand for their products. YouthTrade products can be found at Whole Foods Markets and Nordstrom among other retailers.  In 2011 she was invited to serve on the World Economic Forum’s Council on Youth Unemployment.  In 2013, she was named India New England Woman of the Year.  YES is based at Babson College.