“Growing up as the daughter of a Latino immigrants in Sydney, I’ve always navigated life with a dual identity. This experience profoundly shaped who I am today & set the course for my future endeavors. Sydney, with its multicultural fabric, was where I pursued my studies in sociology. Alongside my studies, I worked for a Retail Company, & by the age of 21, I was managing three states—a role that marked the beginning of my professional journey.

Afterward, I transitioned to the digital world, joining the e-commerce startup Showpo as a Customer Experience Manager. It was an exhilarating ride, being part of a small team of 5 & watching it grow to 40 by the time I left. My career took me to Melbourne as Head of Customer Experience just before the pandemic, deepening my love for the city & its people.

My passion for community led me to study community building through The Community Collective (TCC), where I was part of the first cohortThere, under Paz’s guidance, I learned the true value of community building. TCC redefined my understanding of how to build and sustain a community.

In 2017, I started a meme page on Instagram called Latina Lifestyle, which filled a void for Latinas in Australia. What began as a fun project quickly grew; I realised the potential of this platform when overnight, 30,000 people joined the Facebook group. It was more than just memes—it became a space for connection, motivation, & shared experiences, especially during the isolating days of the pandemic. Seeing this, I rebranded it to “Amiga Mía,” a community that now boasts over 70,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook, & TikTok.

Amiga Mia has become a vibrant hub for Latinas in Australia, offering events, panels, & a space to share, support, & connect. Today, I am committed to growing Amiga Mia, with plans to expand into the tech space, driven by a passion for empowering & making a lasting impact for the Latin Australians.” Michelle Yañez-Olivares