Eglantina Zingg is a social entrepreneur, activist, media and fashion industry professional with over twenty-years experience in international communications. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, raised in the Amazon, and currently living in New York City, Eglantina’s unique multi-cultural background has inspired her to pursue a life in public advocacy, fighting for social, economic, and political change in Latin America and beyond.
Presently, Eglantina is the Founder and President of Goleadoras, a US-based not-for-profit social enterprise leveraging the power of fútbol to transform the self-confidence, sense of solidarity, ambition, perseverance and well-being of girls in the United States. The organization runs a campaign #GirlswithBalls, which kicked off last year in Queens, NY with a 13-week unparalleled training method targeted at 10-15 year-old girls and their female coaches, 18-25 year-olds. Goleadores first founding team became the winners of the United Nations Global Goals World Cup in 2018. Prior to Goleadoras, Eglantina founded Proyecto Paz, an organization dedicated to bringing soccer programs to underprivileged communities throughout Latin America.
Proficient in five languages, Eglantina is a prolific writer, fundraiser, and public communicator specializing in the role of sports in supporting sustainable development, international diplomacy, and promoting human health and well-being worldwide. Her work has positioned her as a leading voice on international women’s issues, gender equality, and sports diplomacy. She is frequently invited by international NGO numerous high-level panels related to the Sustainable Development Goals. Her work has received mass media coverage in media outlets across the US, Europe, and Latin America.
Eglantina began her professional career at MTV Latin America where she was the host of the channel’s daily show, L’Gueveo, as well as the MTV Latin America Video Music Awards and the MTV Latin America Movie Awards. She is also a former fashion model who has worked extensively in Europe and Latin America, represented by the Ford Agency. Eglantina has been on the covers of Elle, Marie Claire, GQ, Maxim and Vogue and has walked the runways of Milan, Paris, London and Madrid. In 2011, Glamour Magazine recognized Eglantina as “Icon of the Year”. That same year Eglantina was the image of the Paco Rabanne fragrance “Lady Million” and became the official ambassador for Worldwide Fashion Week Mercedes Benz. She has been an ambassador for Tag Heuer since 2014. Most recently, she served as the host of the third season of Project Runway Latin America and made her feature film debut in Secreto de Confesión.
Eglantina received a BA in Mass Communication & Art History from Florida International University in Miami, FL. She participated in the academic program of theater and performance at Yale University and graduated from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Lamda), one of the most prestigious theater schools in the UK.