Top Image Caption: Luis Avellán, YLAI fellow from Limón, Costa Rica, stands next to Todd Abrams, professional exchange host and Executive Director of Temple University’s Innovation Nest (iNest).
World Affairs: Professional Programs
In May, 2026, ten entrepreneurial fellows from nine countries across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America were welcomed to Philadelphia by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.
Paired with professional hosts throughout the city, the fellows, including Luis Avellán, a pharmacist and administrator from Limón, Costa Rica, participated in an immersive four-week exchange experience made possible through the Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI).
Through its partnership with Temple’s Innovation Nest (iNest), World Affairs connected Avellán with J. Todd Abrams, PhD, Executive Director of iNest, setting his exchange journey in motion.
To capture the spirit of these partnerships, World Affairs sat down with Avellán and Abrams to have a conversation about the experience.
They discussed their thoughts on the fellowship and host experience; community impact; cross-cultural exchange; the City of Philadelphia; and closing reflections.
Ultimately, these partnerships aim to connect YLAI fellows, who are emerging global leaders, with experts, thought leaders, and nonprofits driving impactful work across Philadelphia’s innovation ecosystem. Through these collaborations, fellows gain opportunities for meaningful professional exchange while advancing their entrepreneurial and professional growth.
Below are highlighted excerpts from our conversation:
World Affairs: What interested you most about participating in the YLAI Fellowship program?
Luis Avellán:
“…the opportunity to come here to the United States to learn from the ecosystem…And [to] have the opportunity to meet some interesting people, because it’s not just the people that I met here in Philadelphia…We are more than 200 fellows. So, I met people from all across Latin America and the Caribbean.
And it means a lot to me because you learn a lot from [everyone, with] different businesses, perspectives, backgrounds, cultures, visions, and ambitions.”
World Affairs: How has this experience influenced the way you think about innovation or entrepreneurship?
Luis Avellán:
“This experience helped me realize that innovation isn’t just a good product or a new product…If you don’t have the mentorship, if you don’t have partnerships, [or] you don’t know anything about intellectual property, [then] you don’t have the ecosystem that helps you build the plan to make this innovation [happen].”
World Affairs: How has the fellowship helped shape your vision for Farmacia Británica and your broader community goals?
Luis Avellán:
“…this opportunity helped me to think and dream big—to think that I could scale my formulations nationally, and I hope, internationally.”
World Affairs: How has this experience changed the way you think about your future?
Luis Avellán:
“This experience really helped me to change my mindset [and] my identity. And I see my future self now as a successful entrepreneur [who] could make [and scale] a business not just in Limon, not just in Costa Rica, but internationally, too.”
During his placement, Luis worked with Todd and Jennifer Jenkins, iNest’s Innovation Technology Advancement Manager, on entrepreneurial projects that combined his background in pharmacy with broader interests in innovation and branding.
One of Luis’ primary focuses was to further advance and bring to market a treatment approach for leishmaniasis, a difficult-to-treat dermatological condition caused by a parasite commonly found in tropical regions.
Drawing on his experience in immunology and dermatology, Abrams connected Avellán with pharmacy professionals and industry experts to help refine and potentially scale the concept, while Jenkins supported him in developing the branding and pitch presentation.
World Affairs: Why is it valuable for iNest to participate in international exchange programs like YLAI?
Todd Abrams:
“Well, the cultural exchanges…you know, having your assumptions tested and thoughts about commercialization…that’s something. So, the answer is always exposing yourself to new perspectives is good.”
World Affairs: What impressed you most about Luis’ vision for Farmacia Británica and community development in Limón?
Todd Abrams:
“There’s a genuine wish to do things better, to treat patients better, to scale his business, and to think about ways of doing…everything…in a more efficient, productive, scalable way. [We] take certain things for granted here [in the U.S.], like the fact that there’s so many sources of transportation, distribution, [and other resources]…that are probably not available [in Costa Rica].”
World Affairs: How does Temple’s iNest help entrepreneurs move ideas into real-world impact?
Todd Abrams:
“[The iNest helps] find resources and experts to talk to about what your idea is. We also run an investment group here called Mid-Atlantic Diamond Ventures. It’s a forum that collects all the angel investors in the region, and we have about 70 investors in the room.
We’ve created over 60 companies at Temple in my time here. And those companies have received investment through many of these organizations.
So, the thing is, you can have a really good idea, but you need a really good plan to go with your good idea. And you need good advisors around your idea. So, that’s the goal. And to test all your assumptions. That’s what we do here at the iNest—to help people test their assumptions.”
World Affairs: In your opinion, why are cross-cultural exchanges important in today’s innovation economy?
Todd Abrams:
“Oh, it absolutely takes a village to build a company and a concept. And, again, if you’re using only one set of cultures [you limit your potential]. What has made America such a fantastic country is the multidisciplinary, multicultural approach to solving problems…because multicultural institutions function better. And so, yes, it helps you test your assumptions.”
World Affairs: How do programs like YLAI strengthen international collaboration and understanding?
Todd Abrams:
“This is more about understanding each other. Well…to be honest, he’s ambitious. So, we’re going to find a way to continue the collaboration after he goes home, to move the technology forward, to bring experts…
…Frankly, the roadmap is his. So, what we can do is add resources to help define the roadmap and then have him have conversations with people who are experts in how to organize a business—to see if the roadmap is complete.”
World Affairs: What makes Philadelphia a strong environment for innovation and entrepreneurship?
Todd Abrams:
“Let’s start with why it is so welcoming. Because frankly you have to be open minded and open-hearted in order to be welcoming to new cultures. Philadelphia is very good about this…I think, actually, the Quaker philosophy of a ‘city of friends’ is real.
I think Philadelphia has an openness about it…and Philadelphia is small enough, multicultural enough, welcoming enough…and we have a lot of resources. We have so many universities and a lot of resources around innovation, a lot of investor angels,…and we have lots of technical companies around a very diverse economy.
Here another thing…we’re not a single sector [economy] even though they call us ‘eds and meds.’ We really are very diverse, which allows us to be fiscally healthy as a city.”
World Affairs: What lasting impact do you hope this experience will have for Luis?
Todd Abrams:
“I’m hoping that it helps launch an ambitious person on a path to accomplish his goals…to [help him] make some real connections. Anytime you expose yourself to a whole new world and have real detailed conversations around it, you have a lot of information…I believe that there’s a good chance that…[Luis’ plans] will come to fruition.”
About Innovation Nest (iNest)
Innovation Nest (iNest) is Temple University’s home for the development of research-based innovations. As part of the Office of the Vice President for Research, iNest sits at the center of Temple’s innovation ecosystem, providing more than 8,000 square feet of labs, coworking areas, adaptable incubator space, programming, commercialization support, and partnership opportunities for researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. By connecting Temple discoveries with the resources, expertise, and partnerships needed to protect, develop, and advance them, iNest helps ideas grow across disciplinary boundaries and supports innovation that addresses societal challenges by connecting discovery to real-world impact.
About Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
Launched in 2015, the U.S. Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) empowers emerging business and social entrepreneurs from across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States, to realize the full economic potential of the region’s citizens. Combining an annual fellowship, an active online network, and continuing activities organized by U.S. Embassies and Consulates, YLAI fosters prosperity, inclusive development, and democratic values.
About World Affairs
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is where continents, cultures, and ideas connect. As the region’s largest and longest-running international nonprofit, World Affairs opens doors between Philadelphia and the world through powerful speaker events, international exchanges, youth education, professional development, and curated travel programs. Since 1949, global leaders, Philly students, entrepreneurs, teachers, and citizen diplomats have come together at World Affairs to share stories, exchange ideas, and expand perspectives. Today, the invitation is open to all: to learn and discuss, to explore and host, and to experience Philadelphia—and the world—in new ways.
If you are interested in learning more or becoming a Phildelphia-based host organization, please contact Kyle Henry, Senior Manager of Programs, at khenry@wacphila.org.
Media inquiries, interview requests, and story-related questions may be directed to the Director of Communications at hknopf@wacphila.org or 267-802-1241.