Federica Perreira: Finding Belonging Through Entrepreneurship
Federica “Fede” Perreira spent much of her early school years wondering where she fit. Growing up in Punta del Este, Uruguay, some subjects came easily, but others—especially mathematics—felt impossible. The classroom often left her feeling isolated. By 14, she had tried nearly every extracurricular activity available, searching for more than just something to do: Fede was looking for a place where she could feel capable, included, and seen.
When Learning Finally Clicked
That opportunity arrived when Fede joined the JA Company Program. After watching older students participate the year before, she waited until she was eligible, and then signed up right away. From the start, the experience felt different. Learning was hands-on, practical, and rooted in real-world problem-solving. For the first time, concepts like budgeting and basic arithmetic made sense because they were tied to something tangible. The program gave her a way to learn by doing and, just as importantly, to learn alongside peers who were working toward a shared goal.
Learning By Doing, Together
Fede’s journey with JA began with persistence. She showed up curious, unsure, and ready to try. Over time, that curiosity turned into confidence. She found herself contributing ideas, collaborating with teammates, and discovering strengths she had not seen in herself before. “When I joined, it was the first time I felt like I fit in,” she has said, reflecting on how meaningful that sense of belonging was at such a formative age.
As part of the JA Company Program, Fede’s team developed a product called HoldIt, a charging phone stand made from sanitized IV bags that could not be recycled because they were medical waste. The team collected the plastic, cleaned it, and repurposed it into a practical product with a clear environmental and social purpose.
The project connected learning to impact, showing her that education could be creative, relevant, and rooted in solving real problems. It also helped Fede see how entrepreneurship can turn challenges into opportunities.
Building Belonging
When her peers selected her as a leader for their student company, the moment stayed with her. The recognition mattered not because of an award or title, but because it affirmed that her voice and contributions had value.
Years later, after continuing to engage with JA as a volunteer, mentor, and leader, Fede was selected as the 2023 Company of the Year Influencer for JA Americas. The role took her to Buenos Aires and connected her with young people across the region, expanding the sense of community that first drew her to JA.
Fede describes her motivation as both wanting to belong and wanting others to feel that same sense of connection. Through JA, she found community that felt welcoming, supportive, and purpose-driven.
Today, Fede works for JA Americas while completing her psychology degree in Montevideo. She serves in leadership roles that allow her to give back to the organization that shaped her path, while also advocating for change within it. One of her key priorities is neuroinclusion. Drawing on her own experiences and academic training, she pushes for learning experiences that better support neurodiverse learners through practical, accessible design.
Making Room for Everyone
Fede’s vision for the future is clear: In five years, she intends to work at the intersection of education, employment, and neuroinclusion, shaping learning environments that recognize different ways of thinking and working. Without question, she plans to still be part of JA, whether as a staff member, volunteer, or advisor.
Success, she says, is not measured by income or titles but by impact. She hopes to look back knowing she built community, opened doors, and helped create opportunities for people who need them most. For Fede, entrepreneurship education was not just a program. It was the beginning of belonging, purpose, and a future she could finally see.