EO Latin America and the Caribbean Leadership Summit 2026: Bringing Leaders Together

From 23–25 September 2026, nearly 130 chapter leaders, spouses and life partners (SLPs) gathered in Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the EO LAC Leadership Summit 2026. Leaders from 22 LAC chapters, along with representatives from Puebla and Uruguay, two chapters coming soon, came together for three days of learning, connection, collaboration, and exploration.

The program opened with the School of Presidents on 23 September, preparing incoming chapter presidents for their leadership roles. The main Summit sessions on 24–25 September centered on LEARN / CONNECT / EXPLORE, offering practical tools, role-specific training, area breakouts, and opportunities to exchange experiences and perspectives.

The Summit also created space for regional alignment and collaboration. The Regional Council and Experts gathered for an alignment meeting, while general sessions and area breakouts gave chapter leaders opportunities to share experiences, align priorities, and explore ways to strengthen the member experience and support EO’s growth across Latin America and the Caribbean. Introduced for the first time at this year’s Summit, Board Mashups offered another opportunity for leaders to connect and exchange ideas.

Learning from resilience and purpose

A highlight of the program was a session with Pedro Pimenta of EO São Paulo, an entrepreneur, author, and founder of Da Vinci Clinic. Pedro shared his journey of rebuilding his life after surviving severe meningitis at age 18, which resulted in the amputation of both arms and legs.

Through rehabilitation and prosthetics, Pedro regained his independence and later established a business that helps people with limb loss recover mobility and autonomy. His story offered a powerful perspective on resilience, adaptability, and turning adversity into purpose.

Connecting beyond the meeting room

The Summit extended beyond formal sessions, with EO Porto Alegre members welcoming participants into the local community. The welcome reception featured nine Dine Arounds hosted in EO Porto Alegre members’ homes and shared spaces, bringing together participants from different chapters and creating opportunities for meaningful connection.

Participants also gathered for a Sunset Dinner at 20/9 Pontal, overlooking the Guaíba, and experienced a traditional churrasco with EO Porto Alegre members and SLPs at El Topador / Rancho Tabacaray. These experiences offered participants an opportunity to experience local food and Gaúcho culture while strengthening connections across the region.

EO Porto Alegre’s hospitality extended regional connection beyond the meeting rooms. By opening their homes and sharing their culture with leaders from across LAC, local members helped create an experience that brought together practical learning, collaboration, and memorable local experiences.

The EO LAC Leadership Summit 2026 reflected the power of bringing chapter leaders together to LEARN, CONNECT, and EXPLORE. Through shared experiences, diverse perspectives, and meaningful connections, leaders strengthened collaboration across the region and created new opportunities to grow together as a community.