Global Leadership Conference Hosted by Entrepreneurs’ Organization Convenes, Trains More Than 1,600 Member Entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i

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HONOLULU, U.S. (5 April 2025) – Guided by the Hawaiian spirit of ‘Ohana, which exemplifies community, togetherness, and family, gathered from 3-5 April in Honolulu for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s 2025 Global Leadership Conference (GLC). It was the 28th such gathering in the organization’s 37-year history.

EO’s premier event, available exclusively to EO members and their spouses and life partners, is held annually and brings together entrepreneurs from an array of industries and backgrounds for three days of leadership training, networking, and learning. It is designed to cultivate a sense of belonging among business owners, to propel them in their leadership journeys, and to help create a spirit of curiosity and cooperation. GLC 2025 was hosted in partnership with EO Hawai‘i, a 49-member chapter founded in 1999, and held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu.

“We are so honored to have helped our EO peers, from all around the globe, not only learn but personally experience the true meaning and spirit of ‘ohana,” said EO Hawai'i president Tiera Covington. The locally based founder and president of Integrated Facility Services Hawai'i added, “’Ohana extends beyond family, and reminds us of how we can build stronger relationships, foster collaboration, and give back to the communities that help us succeed as business owners and leaders.”

A collection of renowned business and thought leaders shared their insights across four robust general sessions during the conference, which were curated around three learning blocks for EO members: belief, belonging, and beyond. Speakers included:

• Deepak Chopra, a physician and author of over 95 books on integrative well-being and spiritual intelligence;
• Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and star of forthcoming Fox show, The Fixer;
• Guy Kawasaki, legendary tech executive and chief evangelist at Canva;
• Brad Montague, a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator of children’s books;
• Ryan Holiday, a New York Times bestselling author of books centered on using stoicism to navigate life;
• Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack at age 13, but later became a pro surfer and author;
• Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, a distinguished Hawaiian composer and master cultural educator;
• Abeer Qumsieh, an EO Jordan member, founder, and angel investor;
• Sun Ah Brock, EO Montreal member and founder of a thriving design business;
• Lin Gao, an executive and messaging coach and member of EO Beijing.

Training and education are also core components of GLC. During this year’s event, approximately 1,100 incoming chapter officers serving in leadership roles across 13 different tracks engaged in eight hours of intensive training led by professional EO facilitators and highly experienced subject matter experts. EO’s Chapter Officer Training program fosters personal growth and connection, while empowering entrepreneurs who volunteer for leadership roles the next year to return and serve as board chairs among their peers. A strong showing of members’ spouses and life partners in Hawai’i lent even more of a family feeling to the gathering of EO’s local, regional, and global member leaders.

"There is so much value in being of service, in growing your leadership skills, making new friends, going to amazing places, doing once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and being part of a great team—team EO,” Joaquin Cordero, EO Global Board Chair-Elect and EO Guatemala member, said during a keynote address.

In addition to keynotes, meetings, and training sessions, the learning journey of EO’s chapter officers continued off-site in eight immersive, custom-designed excursions to local businesses and iconic locations around O‘ahu. These “Learn Arounds” enabled members to gain a deeper appreciation for local knowledge and culture, while building community across EO’s diverse chapter leadership. Activities included a paddleboard excursion along O‘ahu’s north shore, a day exploring lush, local landscapes that have served as the backdrop of many blockbuster movies, and a visit to a popular local rum distillery. GLC attendees also had access to eight workshops helmed by expert speakers on subjects ranging from how to build personal brands to mastering the use of AI tools in business.

Current EO Global Board Chair and EO Kenya member Jamie Pujara also addressed the more than 1,600 members gathered, along with EO Chief Executive Dave Parker. Each reflected on their learning, the progress achieved, and innovations delivered during the prior fiscal year.

"As much as I would like to think that, as global chair, I have changed EO, the truth is that being global chair of EO has changed me,” said Jamie, who completes his 10–year Path of Leadership journey in EO at the end of June, when his term as global chair ends.

In his address, Dave reflected on EO’s priorities, including its ambition to reach and maintain an association-leading 95 percent retention rate by 2030. To get there, he pointed to investments in better technology for members, which will create more efficient means of helping them find communities filled with entrepreneurs around the world who share similar interests and ambitions. "Our speed, willingness, and ability to meet the moment are faster and more focused than ever,” he said. “We are gaining momentum!”

Members and chapter staff who made noteworthy contributions over the previous year were also recognized. For her role in helping her chapter surpass the 100-member mark and becoming one of the fastest-growing chapters in North Asia, chapter manager Tina Li, of EO Beijing, received the honor of being named EO’s Chapter Staff of the Year for 2024, a distinction among hundreds of professionals serving EO chapters around the globe, and determined by worldwide vote of EO members. “I am filled with gratitude—for EO, and for every member of EO Beijing,” Tina said. “It is your support, trust, and unwavering belief in me that allowed me to grow, step by step, and arrive at this moment.”

EO Mérida, earned the Randi Caroll Award, which is given to the chapter with the most innovative and successful chapter launch over the previous fiscal year. The new chapter in Mexico recruited 25 members in just seven months, nearly doubled its membership in its first year, and is on pace to surpass 100 member entrepreneurs by July 2026. Chapter President Fabián Silva expressed appreciation for the remarkable teamwork of his founding board and regional leadership, adding, "Thank you all for making EO Mérida what it is—a community built on excellent collaboration and purpose.”

Ami Kassar, a two-term chapter president leading EO Philadelphia, received the Mark Lincoln Volunteer of the Year Award, given annually by the current global board chair to an EO member who embodies servant leadership and generosity. In 2024, Ami created a digital community for EO members called EO GRIT, to connect and support those whose businesses are struggling. More than 800 entrepreneurs joined the virtual group and have helped one another through difficult times.

“We started an EO GRIT community nine months ago to support entrepreneurs through a turbulent economy,” Ami said. “It was my honor to receive the Mark Lincoln Award at GLC on behalf of the GRIT community.”

EO’s 2026 Global Leadership Conference will be held from 15-17 April in Dublin, Ireland. Registration will open late in 2025.

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Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) is a global membership community of nearly 20,000 leading business founders and owners from 90+ countries, who belong to any one of the not-for-profit network's more than 220 chapters in 60+ countries worldwide. Founded in 1987, EO helps entrepreneurs move the world forward by unlocking their full potential through the power of meaningful connections, leadership development, and collaborative learning that support the whole person. Learn more at: eonetwork.org.