Thirty-four Young Leaders of the Americans Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellowship hosts from businesses and civil society organizations across the United States have been selected to participate in the Reverse Exchange program, a new component of YLAI. This year, the U.S. Fellowship hosts will travel to 21 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to collaboratively implement entrepreneurial and community projects alongside alumni of the YLAI Professional Fellows Program. These partnerships will strengthen entrepreneurship networks between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean.

In November 2016, the YLAI alumni completed five-week fellowships at U.S. start-ups, small businesses, and various organizations in partnership with businesses, community groups and universities. Through the Reverse Exchange program, many of the Fellowship hosts will continue to mentor the YLAI alumni in-country to further develop their business or social venture plans. YLAI is administered by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with Meridian International Center.