2024-08-31 10:42:29
How proud! Maria Pacheco received the DVF 2024 award for the transformative impact of the brand Wakami accessories in the country’s communities. The Guatemalan entrepreneur She was honored with this recognition alongside talented women such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad and former New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.
Maria Pacheco received the DVF 2024 award in Venice
it’s 2024, VeniceItaly, became the scene of The DVF Awardsan event that celebrated women from around the world who have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to fight, survive and inspire.
During the awards ceremony of the DVF Awardsheld on August 29, recognized eleven talented women for their work in various organizations, from environmentalists and human rights defenders, to a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Among them, the Guatemalan stood out Maria Pacheco, Founder of the social enterprise Wakamian accessories brand that has transformed the lives of many Guatemalan women. How proud!
Through Wakami, the Guatemalan has developed a business model that empowers women from rural communities in Guatemala. This initiative not only offers economic opportunities to Guatemalan women in vulnerable situations, but also connects their artisanal products with international markets, managing to export to more than 20 countries.
The work of Pacheco and his team has been instrumental in improving living conditions in rural communities, providing access to sustainable income and promoting community development. Thanks to this innovative and committed approach, Wakami has gained national and international recognition, one of these achievements being the prestigious DVF Award.
The winners of the 2024 edition
This year, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the award ceremony, the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundationwith the financial support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationwill award an additional grant to five previous winners, one of whom is María Pacheco. The other winners of the award this year are:
- Grace Machel: Children and women’s human rights advocate, founder of the Graça Machel Trust and the Community and Development Foundation.
- Note the Bastida: Environmental justice activist and co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative.
- Reem Al-Hajajreh: Co-founder and director of Women of the Sun.
- Yael Admi: Co-founder of Women Wage Peace, a movement seeking lasting peace in Israel and Palestine.
- Nadia Murad: Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist, founder of the Nadia Initiative.
- Ntaiya’s Grandfather: Founder and President of Kakenya’s Dream.
- Veronica Scott: Founder and CEO of Empowerment Plan.
- Alessandra Kustermann: Reproductive rights advocate and president of SVS Donna Help Donna.
- Jacinda Ardern: Former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
- Susan Burton: Author and founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project.
The awards ceremony was attended by important figures, such as Oprah Winfreywho presented one of the awards.
An award that celebrates women who transform the lives of others
The DVF Awards, established in 2010 by iconic fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, They aim to recognize women who have shown courage in fighting for their causes, strength to overcome adversity and leadership to inspire, and who, in addition, impact the lives of many other women with their work.
In addition to the recognition, the awardees receive grants that allow them to continue and expand their work through their nonprofit organizations. The recognition is not only a tribute to their work, but also a significant boost for them to continue their mission to change the world.
Did you know that the famous reality show Is Shark Tank coming to Guatemala? It will be the first country in Central America with its own version and it will definitely be the ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs to present their ideas to potential investors. Find out how to apply and all the related news at: