Recognising UK alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others.

AMERICAS: Maria Fernanda Sierra Perea (United States)
University of Sussex; Chevening scholar
Maria manages VIVE, a Trust for the Americas project that has provided skills-based training to over 50,000 vulnerable women in Mexico. VIVE empowers women with the tools they need to become financially independent, recognise and prevent gender-based violence, and transform their lives. Maria co-founded the Sussex Alumni association and was a founding committee member of RedBrit, the Association of Alumni of British Universities in Colombia. She considers herself an ambassador for UK education.