Dallas Design Entrepreneur to Visit El Salvador This July to Educate Designers on Entrepreneurship & Foster New Business Collaboration
The U.S. Department of State has selected Dallas-based designer and entrepreneur Steven Kinder as one of 45 leaders sponsored to implement entrepreneurial and community development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Reciprocal Exchange Program during 2018.
Dallas, TX, July 09, 2018 --(PR.com)-- The U.S. Department of State has selected Dallas-based designer and entrepreneur Steven Kinder as one of 45 leaders sponsored to implement entrepreneurial and community development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Reciprocal Exchange Program during 2018. Steven is the CEO and founder of Dallas-based Loftwall and Co-founder of GoodWork, a newly-opened Dallas coworking space.
Kinder’s ten-day visit will take place this July and will feature several contextual connections to artisans, architects, manufacturers and universities where he will share his knowledge and education on design, entrepreneurship, real estate development and startup investing, focusing on how to scale their local businesses based on his background and experience.
“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to listen, connect and educate my fellow designers, artists and entrepreneurs in El Salvador. Starting a business anywhere is about having the tenacity and resources to execute on an idea, and it is my hope that my experiences and insight will help spark new opportunities and connections to accelerate entrepreneurship for El Salvador,” said Kinder.
Highlights of Kinder’s tour include visiting with a local company that produces brooms from recycled plastic sourced from both local and international markets and a stopover to Puro Surf, a world-class academy and boutique that takes advantage of this surfing paradise to create a business that both cares for its community and seeks to make a positive impact. There he will greet the owners, architects and designers of this project to get insights into their investment strategies and how design can bring added value for their company. He will meet with Sherwin Williams Central America President Juan Francisco Sifontes in San Bartolo to discuss the importance of supporting new designers and encouraging LEED certifications promoting integrative design.
Kinder will also engage with business and design students in San Salvador during IDWEEK at the first Salvadoran design store focused on products such as housewares and furniture. He will lead design thinking explorations with LERO Studio in La Libertad; the training will be based on his tools and involvement in Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s (EO) Accelerator Program, of which he was Chair in Dallas for several years. He will end the visit by developing potential collaborations with LERO Studio and other manufacturing companies in El Salvador that hope to do business in the United States.
Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Meridian International Center and locally by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, YLAI builds linkages between young leaders across the hemisphere and addresses the opportunity gap for youth, especially women, by empowering business and social entrepreneurs through exchanges between the United States and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) builds relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public -private partnerships and mentoring programs. These exchange programs improve foreign relations and strengthen the national security of the United States, support U.S. international leadership, and provide a broad range of domestic benefits by helping break down barriers that often divide us. Visit https://eca.state.gov for more information.
For information on the YLAI Professional Fellows Exchange Program, please visit https://ylai.state.gov/
For press inquiries, please contact ECA-Press@state.gov.
About Meridian International Center
Meridian International Center is a premier nonprofit, global leadership organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders to meet global challenges and opportunities. Through various programs, Meridian delivers the approach and environment for leaders to understand global issues and cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.
About Steven Kinder
Steven is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for entrepreneurship and design. Since starting his first businesses in 2002, he has launched or invested in over a dozen companies to develop synergies to further Dallas as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. He has served on the board of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Dallas Chapter, and advises startups on leadership, culture and branding.
Steven is the CEO and founder of Loftwall, a Dallas-based manufacturer of furniture for offices, workspaces, healthcare facilities and universities. Steven is an award winning designer, and throughout his career he has designed a wide range of consumer and industrial equipment products. He received his BFA in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design and often speaks at SMU Cox to students interested in entrepreneurship.
About GoodWork
GoodWork is a flexible coworking space designed for members to get good work done. Based in the newly renovated 1808 building on South Good-Latimer, GoodWork is forging a path for an emerging creative and industrial district that gives businesses and people room to grow and evolve. Their diverse members include early and mid-stage companies, corporate leaders, creatives, freelancers and nonprofits. The community workspaces have different styles of open and dedicated workspaces from 100 to 1000 sq. ft. Building amenities include a fitness center, open lounge spaces, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, short term residence loft units, coffee show, kitchen and a courtyard green space.
Kinder’s ten-day visit will take place this July and will feature several contextual connections to artisans, architects, manufacturers and universities where he will share his knowledge and education on design, entrepreneurship, real estate development and startup investing, focusing on how to scale their local businesses based on his background and experience.
“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to listen, connect and educate my fellow designers, artists and entrepreneurs in El Salvador. Starting a business anywhere is about having the tenacity and resources to execute on an idea, and it is my hope that my experiences and insight will help spark new opportunities and connections to accelerate entrepreneurship for El Salvador,” said Kinder.
Highlights of Kinder’s tour include visiting with a local company that produces brooms from recycled plastic sourced from both local and international markets and a stopover to Puro Surf, a world-class academy and boutique that takes advantage of this surfing paradise to create a business that both cares for its community and seeks to make a positive impact. There he will greet the owners, architects and designers of this project to get insights into their investment strategies and how design can bring added value for their company. He will meet with Sherwin Williams Central America President Juan Francisco Sifontes in San Bartolo to discuss the importance of supporting new designers and encouraging LEED certifications promoting integrative design.
Kinder will also engage with business and design students in San Salvador during IDWEEK at the first Salvadoran design store focused on products such as housewares and furniture. He will lead design thinking explorations with LERO Studio in La Libertad; the training will be based on his tools and involvement in Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s (EO) Accelerator Program, of which he was Chair in Dallas for several years. He will end the visit by developing potential collaborations with LERO Studio and other manufacturing companies in El Salvador that hope to do business in the United States.
Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Meridian International Center and locally by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, YLAI builds linkages between young leaders across the hemisphere and addresses the opportunity gap for youth, especially women, by empowering business and social entrepreneurs through exchanges between the United States and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) builds relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public -private partnerships and mentoring programs. These exchange programs improve foreign relations and strengthen the national security of the United States, support U.S. international leadership, and provide a broad range of domestic benefits by helping break down barriers that often divide us. Visit https://eca.state.gov for more information.
For information on the YLAI Professional Fellows Exchange Program, please visit https://ylai.state.gov/
For press inquiries, please contact ECA-Press@state.gov.
About Meridian International Center
Meridian International Center is a premier nonprofit, global leadership organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders to meet global challenges and opportunities. Through various programs, Meridian delivers the approach and environment for leaders to understand global issues and cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.
About Steven Kinder
Steven is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for entrepreneurship and design. Since starting his first businesses in 2002, he has launched or invested in over a dozen companies to develop synergies to further Dallas as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. He has served on the board of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Dallas Chapter, and advises startups on leadership, culture and branding.
Steven is the CEO and founder of Loftwall, a Dallas-based manufacturer of furniture for offices, workspaces, healthcare facilities and universities. Steven is an award winning designer, and throughout his career he has designed a wide range of consumer and industrial equipment products. He received his BFA in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design and often speaks at SMU Cox to students interested in entrepreneurship.
About GoodWork
GoodWork is a flexible coworking space designed for members to get good work done. Based in the newly renovated 1808 building on South Good-Latimer, GoodWork is forging a path for an emerging creative and industrial district that gives businesses and people room to grow and evolve. Their diverse members include early and mid-stage companies, corporate leaders, creatives, freelancers and nonprofits. The community workspaces have different styles of open and dedicated workspaces from 100 to 1000 sq. ft. Building amenities include a fitness center, open lounge spaces, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, short term residence loft units, coffee show, kitchen and a courtyard green space.
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GoodWork
Amy King
972-638-9345
goodwork.co
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Amy King
972-638-9345
goodwork.co
Text for faster response.
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