Maria Solana Ledesma

A light skinned person with dark hair, standing in front of a green landscape.
Graduate Student, Public Policy, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Research Interests

My research focuses on social impact, poverty alleviation, and the empowerment of underserved communities, particularly women and rural populations in Argentina. I collaborate with organizations in Tucuman, my hometown, conducting research on poverty and evaluation of food insecurity, education and early stimulation projects. This aligns with the Minnesota Population Center's focus on demographic research, as my work involves analyzing population trends, social structures, and their impact on education and poverty, particularly in rural and marginalized regions. I would love to improve my skills in this area adding more quantitative tools and approaches

Biography

I am a Fulbright Scholar and Master of Public Policy (MPP) student at the University of Minnesota, with a strong focus on social impact, poverty alleviation, and the empowerment of underserved communities. Originally from Tucumán, Argentina, I have gained significant experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, working on research and policy analysis related to poverty, education, and workforce development. I currently serve as a researcher at Fundación León, where I conduct research on poverty trends, governance, and program evaluation. In addition to my work at Fundación León, I have held various roles, including project manager and coordinator for programs focused on women’s empowerment in the tech industry, and I have also advised a national senator on socio-economic issues