Global L.E.A.D. wins marketing competition in NYC

New York Times bestselling author and marketing guru Seth Godin launched a nationwide campaign to seek out 40 of the up and coming non-profits around the world and Global L.E.A.D. won.  Our Director of Global Outreach, Kevin Paul Scott, attended the summit in New York City and pitched the 10 time best-selling book author on our vision to change the way students see, serve, and study abroad.

His grassroots appeal and southern charm helped Mr. Scott walk away with many contacts. Mr. Godin’s biggest piece of advice for Kevin and the Global LEAD Team for Summer 2010 was short and simple…Put on a Show that your students will still be talking about 60 years from now!

Global L.E.A.D., Virgin Unite, London, and Morocco

Ultra entrepreneur and rebel billionaire Richard Branson has more than 200 companies and 50,000 employees around the world under his Virgin umbrella. From Virgin Records and Virgin Airlines to hot air balloon rides around the world and formula one racing teams, Sir Richard has done it all and also has a heart for philanthropy with his Virgin Unite Foundation.  Run by a savvy group of world changers, the Virgin Unite Foundation works with individuals and organizations around the world. 

Co-Founder Garrett Gravesen had the unique opportunity to sit down with the CEO of Virgin Unite to discuss ways to partner with our organization on a global scale.  Accompanied by CEO of Indie Peace Lawton Ursrey, who serves as a Global LEAD consultant, the two spent time in London discussing the Global L.E.A.D. 2010 Program in Cape Town, South Africa and ways to partner with curriculum, speakers, and create an overall wow experience for the students.

The two then met with Eve Branson, Sir Richard’s mom, and had the opportunity to accompany her to Morocco to see the work of her foundation and Virgin Unite.  Known as the mother to the world’s most successful entrepreneur she shed light into creating a movement around passion and showcased the work they are doing with women from the villages surrounding Richard’s Kasbah Tamadot resort to build sustainable work for the local communities.  Mrs. Branson provided not only an entertaining and enlightening week, but also filmed an interview for the Global L.E.A.D. educational series discussing ways for next generation leaders to follow their passions.

Ahead of the Curve: 2016 Olympics awarded to Rio de Janeiro

“If it’s not WOW, it’s not worth doing.”  This simple statement rings true at the heart of everything we do with Global LEAD.  Choosing locations for life changing trips is easy task.  It is our vision to expose students to unique cities around the world that share both incredible wealth and eye-opening poverty juxtaposed right next to one another.  Rio de Janeiro does just that.  While it may be a cultural capital of the world, the city has often been overlooked for international events and bringing the world stage to their front doorstep.  Global L.E.A.D. thought we could play a small role in doing that, so Co-Founder Robbie Reese and a team of on-the-ground experts began developing the Rio de Janeiro model for 2010.

We felt this city deserved the international spotlight and we wanted to be ahead of the curve.  Apparently other people around the world had taken note as well.  This sizzling South American city was not only awarded the World Cup for 2014, but during the time Mr. Reese was working hard on the beaches and across the city collaborating with non-profit partners, the announcement was made that Rio de Janeiro would become home of the 2016 Olympic Games as well.  When the announcement was made, close to 100,000 people celebrated on the historic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. One of those people includes our very own Robbie Reese, who can be seen in all Olympic Tourism videos for the Rio announcement if you look closely—very very closely.  Congrats!