Melina Masnatta

He was born in Chubut, in Argentine Patagonia. She is a social entrepreneur in Education and Technology issues with a systemic and inclusive approach ( Ashoka fellow and Bunge y Born Fellow Foundation ). She currently works as an undergraduate and graduate level Professor , Deputy Director and member of the Advisory Board , national and international speaker, jury for awards and national and international competitions .

She received a Master's and Specialist in Educational Technology from the University of Buenos Aires, graduated with special mention for her thesis carried out in secondary public schools on teaching practices as a framework for the creation of audiovisual and multimedia productions, and a basic career in Bachelor's Degree in Education Sciences from the same university with honors.

She specializes in creativity, training, youth empowerment and diversity. In the field of research, she has worked for regional and international organizations such as UNICEF, IIPE Unesco, Equals, among others. And she wrote more than 1000 national and international academic and outreach publications . She is currently a columnist on technology, art and education issues in the newspaper La Nación and collaborates in different media as an adviser and reference, such as MiT Technology Review or the blog of the Inter-American Development Bank, she is also highlighted as a role model or inspiration in different campaigns.

The Ashoka International Foundation selected her in 2018 as an Ashoka Fellow , for her work as a social entrepreneur promoting systemic change and collaborative leadership. During 2020, she was distinguished by the EY Argentina Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the social category and internationally for her leadership and impact during COVID-19, she was one of the 5 people in the world (and the only one in the region). in receiving the Beiersdorf AG Changemakers United award , as well as receiving recognitions such as Optimy 6 Inspiring Latin American Women who are making an impact on the world .

She has been awarded a scholarship to carry out the Global Competitiveness Leadership Program at Georgetown University and also the International Visitor Leadership Program with a focus on Education and Technology, from the State Department of the United States Government. In 2018 she received a scholarship in the intensive program for entrepreneurs with social impact in the Middle East (Israel) from the Schusterman Foundation, being the only person from the region. That same year she was recognized by the international network UPWARD for her commitment and work with Gender Equality.

For 15 years he has been dedicated to creating educational solutions and opportunities with technology in a comprehensive and systemic manner. She has experience in design, development, research and evaluation of innovation projects and programs that articulate education and technology with a regional focus, both in the public and private sectors and in international organizations.

National Classical Dance Teacher, she was the founder and member of the interdisciplinary digital art collective A.Mo.Ver , which carried out projects with technology with the EAFIT Medialab (Colombia) and schools in Argentina, such as the body as an interface and experiences of learning through expressive movement with adolescents from vulnerable areas. Today she is still in contact with these projects and initiatives from the impact of technology and art in education ( Museum of Modern Art ).

She co-founded the non-profit organization Chicas en Tecnología , with the objective of reducing the gender gap in the technological entrepreneurial environment at the regional level. From 2017 to 2021, as the first Executive Director, she led the central strategy to guarantee the organization's innovation and its sustainability, expand the territorial scope (national and regional), and articulate alliances with different sectors. In 2019, Georgetown University (USA) highlighted it for the exponential growth and impact of Girls in Technology with the Global Competitiveness Leadership Award 2019 [ Annual Report]. In turn, it achieved financial sustainability through the generation of diversified funds, increasing sponsorship from international companies, the national and local public sector, individual donations, and international funds. During the pandemic, it was achieved not only to maintain, but also to increase revenue and impact. In addition, the organization received the outstanding international Nature Research Award ( + info).

Due to her experience in leadership, she is a mentor at Fundación Voces Vitales where she accompanies the development and empowerment of women leaders. In addition, she was chosen among more than 4,000 applicants with more than 10 years in decision-making positions, to carry out the prestigious program of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE): W50 The Next Generation of Leading Women , where she trained with other 50 women from around the world in transformational leadership with a gender perspective and cultural diversity.

During the last few years, she was called back to the private sector, where she began her professional career, to serve as the first Global Director of Training, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Globant , where she developed solutions for more than 27,000 employees in 30 countries.

Currently, having generated high-impact programs in the private sector, he has returned to the entrepreneurial field, where he seeks to connect the region with the world. With this objective, it also promotes and participates in spaces for intersectoral dialogue and at decision-making levels for investment in educational technology with a perspective of diversity and innovation.