Empowering indigenous women
toward economic sovereignty.
Our Vision
A future where indigenous women lead thriving communities fostering pride, prosperity, and shared value through economic sovereignty.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower indigenous women through access to markets, co-creation and community development by building progressive business models and strategies with ongoing support for the implementation of these.
Who is Sara Omi?
Sara Omi is an Emberá leader, lawyer, and internationally recognized advocate for Indigenous women's rights, climate justice, and cultural preservation in Panama. As the first Emberá woman to become a lawyer in Panama, she has dedicated her life to opening doors for Indigenous women and building systems for economic and cultural sovereignty.
- Leader, first Emberá woman to become a lawyer in Panama
- Named among the Most Powerful Women in Central America by Forbes (2026, 2023, 2022,)
- Outstanding Woman of the Year – Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), 2024
- More than 90,000 miles traveled worldwide to COP 21 - 27, and many other global events
"Today we are building a Foundation that bears my name, Sara Omi, which ultimately connects with all the work I have been developing over years, and represents the leadership of indigenous women – keeping alive our dreams of strengthening our own economies through the wisdom and knowledge of our people, connected with our Mother Earth."
– Sara Omi
A New Approach
We are creating a new paradigm for launching and scaling non-profit foundations.
We are utilizing the Silicon valley startup model, applied to impact.
We invite you to think of us as a startup, an impact startup.
Please consider your role as an early investor in a startup – as an angel investor.
How We Work
- We research and identify real problems by listening to the communities real needs on the ground
- We co-create solutions with the community
- Design → Build → Test → Launch
- Use AI, media, and systems thinking to accelerate execution and learning
- We run Design-A-Thons as co-creation labs
- Build systems, processes and infrastructure.
- Create market access, with ongoing support
- Develop replicable frameworks for scale
Accomplished to Date
- Successfully registered as a US based 501c3
- Legal documentation submitted to the Ministry of Government (MINGOV) (By AFRA ESG)
- Foundation Architecture (legal, financial, operational)
- 3-Day Design-A-Thon
- E-commerce MVP (product design, testing)
- First brand collaboration and product launch (Somos Primeras)
- Short documentary produced
- Created brand, website, and storytelling systems
- AI tools, documentation, operating systems
- Community infrastructure (computer equipment, water filtration systems)
- Preliminary work on charity golf tournament
- Crossroads festival- MVP testing
- Two pre-launch teaser events
- Registering Jumara Juwa as a business
The Numbers
| Raised to-date: | $157,500 |
| Pledges in progress: | $22,500 |
Our Goal
| Invested to-date: | $81,723 |
| Remaining to Raise: | $247,000* |
*Through 2026 and including the foundation launch
Contribute
We are currently inviting angel/seed contributors in the range of:
$5,000 - and above
Example:
Early supporters such as TASØ Holdings, a Panama based hospitality company, has contributed $7,500 which has been earmarked for the purchase and installation of a water filtration system for the Embera community of Ipeti
Our Team
Sara Omi, Co-founder
Eric Humbert, Co-founder
Kim Carter, Board Member, Fundraising
María Isabel Martínez, Communications Director
Luis Guillermo Martínez, Foundation Coordinator
José Abraham Caballer, Launch Director
Kari Huske, Strategy Director
Cintli Chacón, Director of Governance
Aurelio "PAPE" Gallón, Brand Director
Felice Della Gatta, Design Director
"This project is deeply personal, not only to myself but to our entire dedicated and selfless team. What started as an idea has grown into a movement — one shaped not only by our vision, but also by the voices, needs, and aspirations of the communities we seek to support. This movement has attracted a wide range of support from a diverse community wanting to effect change. I cordially invite you to join our movement and BE the change you would like to see in this world.
With your support we believe we can shape a new model for future foundations and non-profits. Thank you in advance for your anticipated support and all of us look forward to seeing you at the formal launch of the Sara Omi Foundation this fall."
– Eric Humbert, Co-founder
As impact investors we invite you to see the details of our unique foundation startup model Click Here