Maria Corina Machado, is a venezuelan congresswoman and opposition leader, named one of BBC’s World’s 100 most influential women in 2018.

    She is a visionary, authentic and resilient venezuelan leader politician fighting for Venezuela’s freedom and human rights for more than 20 years. She has become the face of the opposition and voice of hope and resilience for millions in Venezuela. 

    She earned her degree in Industrial Engineering from  Andrés Bello Catholic University, and a master’s degree in Finance from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA) in Caracas, Venezuela. She was also part of Yale University’s World Fellows Program in 2009. This is international fellowship program for rising global leaders, who are selected through a competitive application process to study, share their knowledge and contribute to building a better society.
    The Inspira America Foundation joined with the rectors of four universities in 2024 to promote the nomination of Machado for the Nobel Peace Prize, to be awarded in October 2025, highlighting her “tireless fight for peace in Venezuela and the world” as “a fair recognition of a person who has dedicated almost her entire life to fight for peace and the liberation” of Venezuela.

Written by: Marlene Calderin, Union Elementary