LOUISE SANCHES
BRAZIL, 17
She/Her
Project: Côncavo
Over the course of her life, Louise saw the women in her family experience hardship due to a lack of access to educational or job opportunities. Beyond her personal experience, Louise also knew that thousands more women, across Brazil and worldwide, endure poverty and toxic relationships because of the obstacles they face to gain financial independence. In March 2021, Louise created Côncavo to promote women’s economic empowerment through education and technology. Their program Côncavidades teaches women in Brazil how to develop their own businesses, with a focus on social impact. Louise also developed an app called Conecta Elas, which creates a safe platform for female freelancers in Brazil who want to flourish in male-dominated professions. The app connects women who are skilled in STEM to other women who are seeking services such as math, physics and technology training and hardware repair. In June 2021, Conecta Elas was recognized by UNICEF’s Tech Trailblazer Series. In one year, Côncavo has impacted 200+ women in Salvador, Brazil and led 10+ in-person events. Louise is currently working to establish Côncavo programs in her community’s schools and create an ambassador program so teens from other Brazilian states can form chapters. Eventually, Louise wants to expand into other Latin American countries, so no woman must suffer hardships caused by financial inequality.