If making a difference matters to you, YPO is your place for taking personal passions to a new level.
As the leader of a successful business, your sphere of influence is already immense. YPO expands that influence exponentially with a global network that helps you do amazing things.
The influence represented by YPO’s 19,000 members is more than significant – it’s astonishing. Many members are committed to leveraging this influence for social change through economic and community development, philanthropy, humanitarian work and disaster relief.
Through YPO you can join a community of other action-oriented, philanthropic-minded leaders who share your vision of a better world. Members are taking action around the globe, making a difference every day.
Take a look at Real Leaders, a twice-yearly publication aimed at a new breed of leader.
What matters most to you?
“Our company is setting a goal to operate entirely on sustainable energy resources.”
“I believe strongly that all children have a right to free, basic education.”
“Having just sold my company, I am excited to start a family foundation.”
“It is amazing what an impact a simple US$100 loan can have on someone’s life.”
“My business is committed to sourcing only fair trade-certified materials.”
YPO’s nine Social Enterprise Networks support philanthropy and social action by connecting members committed to giving back. The annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards recognize YPO and WPO member companies for innovative and lasting CSR initiatives. Other opportunities include such things as microfinance trips, sustainable development seminars and family volunteer projects that turn the spotlight on the role of social responsibility in business and family life.
YPO itself does not support social or political causes, but its members create a vibrant culture of caring with their passion and conviction.
“Collaborating with other business leaders around the world is a huge value. Not only have the contacts and advice been invaluable, but I also find it rewarding to work together with other YPO members in making a difference.”
Elizabeth Funk
(YPO Barbary Coast, Northern California)
Member since 2004
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE NETWORKS
Social Enterprise Networks support philanthropy and social action by connecting members committed to giving back.
- Corporate Social Responsibility Network
- Economic Development Network
- Education Outreach Network
- Environment Network
- Family Philanthropy Network
- Global Diplomacy and Public Policy Network
- Humanitarian Health Network
- Helping Disadvantaged Kids Network
- Peace Action Network
THE YPO-WPO AWARDS FOR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
These annual awards honor YPO and WPO member companies for programs that make social responsibility an equal partner with profits. The award is presented in five categories:
- Economic Justice/Community Impact
- Employee Impact
- Sustainable Environmental Business Practices
- Leadership
- Philanthropic/Nonprofit Organization
CSR Award Winners for 2011
Category: Economic Justice/Community Impact
Member: Scott Farquhar (YPO Sydney)
Company: Atlassian
When creating the company Atlassian, manufacturer of popular products such as JIRA and Confluence, Scott Farquar and his founding partner had just a product idea and the mission to commit 1 percent of revenue, 1 percent product, 1 percent of equity and 1 percent of employee time to charity.
Facing technology giants with strongly established global presences, the two founders created a new model for their industry, selling B2B software that could be purchased and downloaded from their website at a fraction of the price of their competitors.
They have matched their business success with major charitable contributions, including enabling thousands of children in the developing world to receive an education they wouldn’t otherwise have received.
Category: Sustainable Environmental Business Practices
Member: Paul J. Lightfoot (YPO Fairchester)
Company: BrightFarms LLC
Paul J. Lightfoot is the owner and CEO of BrightFarms (BFS), a company that designs, finances, builds and operates hydroponic greenhouse farms (“BrightFarms”) on site at grocery retailers, eliminating time, distance and costs from their produce supply chain.
Through his work at BFS, Lightfoot has disrupted traditional agricultural supply chain methodologies to create a more sustainable business practice. Growing food ultra-locally, BFS has significantly limited the environmental impacts associated with agriculture.
The elimination of shipping and field agriculture means drastically reduced fuel consumption, carbon emissions and water use. BFS enables grocery retailers to change their produce supply chain in a way that improves the planet and their profits.
Category: Leadership
Member: Richard M. Bergfors (YPO Sweden)
Company: Max Hamburger Restaurant
Richard M. Bergfors heads the Max Hamburger Restaurant, the ninth-most popular business in Sweden.
In 2006, Bergfors came to the realization that the beef industry was making a negative impact on the environment. As owner of a business that sold more than 80 percent beef products, he chose to be transparent to his customers, labeling all products with information about the company’s carbon footprint.
Demonstrating his commitment to make a difference, he launched new products with a much lower environmental impact, and offset his beef products’ emissions by investing in forestation projects in
Africa.
Category: Outstanding Philanthropy
Member: Nancy A. Aossey (YPO Bel Air)
Company: International Medical Corps
Nancy A. Aossey joined International Medical Corps as start-up CEO shortly after its founding in 1984. She went on to establish the humanitarian organization as a leader in medical crisis response and recovery.
Under her leadership, International Medical Corps has delivered more than US$1.1 billion of assistance, health services, and training to tens of millions of people in more than 50 countries. International Medical Corps’ proven approach of relief that focuses on training has helped build self-reliance and save millions of lives in some of the world’s toughest environments, including areas hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami, Darfur, Afghanistan, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Pakistan.
Become a Member of YPO
Do you qualify for YPO? Review membership criteria and download a preliminary application.
Meet Our Members
No matter where you live or do business, YPO membership creates a common bond. Find out why YPO is the most powerful network in the world for business leaders. Watch the video and read testimonials.