Project Description
During my time in Peru, I worked on an impactful project with Killa Natural Ancestral, a social enterprise that focuses on empowering indigenous women artisans from the Peruvian Amazon through sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Our primary challenge was to enhance Killa’s social media presence to boost the sales of newly launched eco-friendly home products, which included products made with sustainable ink and eco-conscious printing methods. The goal was to increase visibility and attract the target audience, especially tourists, women with high purchasing power in key neighborhoods like Miraflores and Barranco, and international customers.

My role involved collaborating with influencers, utilizing paid promotions, and creating engaging content to promote Killa’s participation in a local fair. We connected with influencers by sending them Killa’s products, requesting mentions on their platforms, and employing street marketing techniques. Additionally, we photographed the products, created reels with translations, conducted interviews with Killa’s artisans, and edited both blog posts and catalogues aimed at an international audience. The fair promotion was a significant component, and we worked closely with Selina, a well-known hotel chain located in Miraflores and in several destinations around the world, to secure a long-term contract for the event. Overall, the project culminated in various deliverables, including catalog translations, blog posts, reels, and photoshoots, which will support Killa’s future marketing efforts.

Stakeholders
The primary stakeholders of the project were the indigenous women artisans working with Killa situated in the Lo Malinda region of the Central Peruvian Jungle, and the women who have founded and created Killa, including Araceli, Elizabeth, Diana, Genara, and Mariana. These women are the heart of Killa, each contributing unique skills in crafting eco-friendly products. Beyond the artisans, the project also targeted an international audience, tourists in Peru, and locals in Miraflores and Barranco.

The Experience
Participating in the “Reaction for Impact” program with Make Sense was transformative. Adapting to life in Peru for six weeks—without knowing much Spanish or local culture—helped me grow both personally and professionally. Immersing myself in this unfamiliar environment opened my eyes to the richness of Peruvian culture, the incredible spirit of the artisans we worked with, and the sheer power of collective impact. This experience strengthened my design thinking and project management skills, as well as my ability to collaborate with others from around the world.

Collaborating with the women of Killa and witnessing the tangible difference our efforts made reinforced my sense of empowerment. The impact of our work not only helped to promote their products but also celebrated their traditions and craftsmanship, ensuring that their stories reached a wider audience and enabling them to pursue their passions while also providing for their families.

Leadership Learnings
Throughout this project, I gained invaluable leadership insights. The challenges we faced required careful planning and adaptability. For example, coordinating the workload between our volunteers and managing event logistics taught me the importance of resource management and time allocation. We also learned to navigate different communication styles and problem-solving approaches, which was especially important when mediating between team members from all around the world with diverse backgrounds.

I believe that the key leadership lessons that I have taken away from this experience include:

• Empathy and Design Thinking: I learnt to understand the needs of the artisans and the community, allowing us to create solutions that resonated with them.
• Problem Solving and Contingency Planning: We encountered various challenges, such as balancing volunteer numbers with tasks, language barriers, and overcoming logistical hurdles. These situations honed my problem-solving skills and pushed me to think creatively.
• Event Planning and Logistics: Organizing the fair involved extensive coordination, from drawing up contracts to designing promotional materials, ensuring smooth event execution, and combating last-minute setbacks. This taught me the importance of careful planning and adaptability in event marketing and branding.

Lessons from Immersing in an Unfamiliar Community
Being immersed in the Peruvian community was a profoundly eye-opening experience. One of the most significant lessons I learned was the importance of collective impact. The synergy of working with a team that brought diverse skills and perspectives allowed us to achieve far more than individual efforts could. This interdisciplinary collaboration was key to solving complex problems and overcoming challenges.

I also learned the importance of empathy and cultural sensitivity while working with indigenous artisans. Navigating language barriers and cultural differences made me appreciate the importance of active listening and mutual respect in building strong, impactful relationships. Additionally, the experience underscored the value of open communication, effective feedback, and adaptability in unfamiliar environments.

Sustaining the Impact
The impact of our work with Killa Natural Ancestral will continue beyond our six-week project. The content we created—including blogs, reels, and photoshoots—will be used for future marketing efforts, and the partnerships we forged with local and international influencers and organizations like Selina will have lasting effects on Killa’s brand visibility and open doors for several other possible collaborations and events. By promoting eco-friendly products and elevating the voices of indigenous women artisans, we have laid the groundwork for sustainable growth, ensuring that the impact of this project is both long-term and scalable.

Conclusion
This project was truly an enriching leadership experience that offered valuable lessons in project management, cross-cultural collaboration, and collective impact. It not only deepened my understanding of sustainable practices and indigenous communities but also strengthened my leadership skills in empathy, problem-solving, and event coordination. Moving forward, I am eager to apply these lessons in future initiatives, continuing to support communities in need, and drive meaningful change.