Growing up in Peru allowed 20-year-old finance major Nathaly Olivari to gain insight into what life is like for people who are less fortunate.
During the Spring of her freshman year, Olivari joined Enactus and has been a committed member ever since. Enactus, which stands for “Entrepreneurial. Action. Us.” is an organization that focuses on entrepreneurship and giving back to the community.
Olivari said she joined Enactus because she wanted to make an impact. She said she knew she would be in Gainesville for four years while attending UF, so she wanted to give something back to the Gainesville community.
“I was always passionate about the community,” Olivari said. “If I wasn’t before, I believe Enactus would have made me.”
As a leader in Enactus, Olivari said she oversees projects to help Enactus as a whole be successful. She is also the project manager for Uncap Opportunities for Women Project Partnership. This Enactus project helps empower women who need to enter or return to the work force. One way they helped was by setting up consulting sessions for women to learn about starting their own businesses.
“Little things sometimes make a difference,” she said. “When you work with that one individual or group, you see how much you’re doing.”
In the future, Olivari said she wants to work in finance and as part of a rotational program to help her learn more in the industry and grow within a company. Enactus has helped Olivari to develop leadership, teamwork, and job skills, she said.
“When I do job interviews, 90 percent of my answers have to do with Enactus,” Olivari said.
Olivari said she likes to keep busy though. Since her freshman year, Olivari has interned with Fortune 500 companies: United Technologies and Cameron International. She will soon also be interning in the energy division of General Electric.
She said that she is definitely a dreamer and would like to either start a nonprofit or work with an existing nonprofit in the future that helps students from Peru finish their high school education and continue to pursue higher education.
“I’m Peruvian. I embrace my heritage,” Olivari said. “I’m proud of where I come from.
“Always have dreams. Dreams are goals. Always have that in the back of your mind.”