Michelle Lizama is a sensitive and determined Mexican woman committed to encourage meaningful life-changing actions to impact the lives of marginalized individuals and nurture social change towards equity, justice, tolerance and respect. She is a purpose-driven entrepreneur with the mission to create positive long-term effects, specially supporting those with a true determination of making the world a better place. Her commitment to supporting the community began in 1995, providing free English lessons to low-income children in Mexico after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the UABC in Baja California.
After years of trial and error, Michelle developed her business management skills as a successful entrepreneur creating profitable companies in the fields of E-Commerce, Health Care and Well-being, Corporate Services, Logistics, Trading and Networking. In 2004, she obtained her certification as an alternative therapist, furthering her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations by establishing the first cellular, biodynamic and oxygen infusion therapy system clinic for skin regeneration supporting victims suffering from severe skin burns, lacerations, trauma, cancer, diabetes, infections and other diseases, featuring as one of the top 10 entrepreneurs on the field in Latin America, obtaining the exclusive representation of renowned brands from Europe and South Africa.
After suffering a violent incident that endangered her life and the lives of her loved ones, Michelle decided to continue her work away from personal public engagement, becoming a consultant and project developer.
Today, as a certified grant manager, she continues to assist vulnerable populations enhancing the work of mission-driven organizations, supporting them to reach their goals and meet their fundraising expectations. One example of this is Struggle for Miami’s Affordable and Sustainable Housing (SMASH), a worker-led nonprofit organization devoted to build people power, advocating for justice, putting an end to homelessness and making housing a human right.
Michelle obtains her drive and motivation from the unconditional love and constant support of her eternal love and existence companion Federico, and the exemplary discipline and determination of her son and daughter. She enjoys dancing, high-speed experiences, good music and barbecues in the company of her friends and family (pets included).
SESSION
Transforming Climate and Housing Justice Opponents into Allies by Having Fun
Learn about a comprehensive and practical way to build power and organize movements for justice by applying a fun but impactful method.
Learning Objectives
- Learn new methods to change the perspective of people around pressing issues usually disregarded.
- Learn to develop successful strategies to build power, organize movements for justice and plan effective campaigns and calls to action.
- Learn to build and expand a network of supporters, recruit and teach volunteers, employing innovative and fun methods.
- Learn to choose and focus on the most relevant issues to better engage community members and further the participant's mission.
- Learn about policy change strategies, political communication methods and resources for the protection of rights and the achievement of justice.
Participant Outcomes
- Develop innovative, collaborative and replicable ideas for organizing movements and transforming opponents into allies to their cause.
- Identify new pathways to create organizational, community outreach, engagement, awareness and power building strategies.
- Create fun and practical tools to have people understand the problems and their root causes, engaging in the solutions.
- Compare different methods to drive policy change and attain justice.