Innovation Summits

GLI Cohorts convene in person for weeklong Innovation Summits, integrating faculty-led instruction with hands-on learning in diverse communities. Summits provide an immersive growth environment where Cohort Members master Design Thinking methodologies in collaboration with local organizational partners.

Innovation Summits

The 2025 Cohort of The Global Leaders Institute participates in three in-person Innovation Summits — Patagonia, Chile, Reggio, Italy, and Andes, Colombia. Supported by international faculty and mentors of world-class institutions, from Harvard University Business School and Rochester University to the EY Business Academy, GLI Fellows collaborate with local entrepreneurs across the selected communities and surrounding counties to support local impact-oriented businesses.
REGGIO | ITALY
Hosted by Fondazione I Teatri in the heart of the Emilia-Romana region in Reggio-Emilia, Italy
ANDES | COLOMBIA
Hosted by Fundación Bolivar Davivienda in the Andean Mountains in the heart of Colombia.
ANDES | COLOMBIA
Hosted by Fundación Bolivar Davivienda in the Andean Mountains in the heart of Colombia.
PATAGONIA | CHILE
Hosted by the Patagonian village of Panguipulli, Chile, in alliance with Teatro Educativo de las Artes Panguipulli.
COFFEE AXIS | COLOMBIA
Hosted by Comfama in the city of the eternal Spring Medellín.
COFFEE AXIS | COLOMBIA
Hosted by Comfama in the city of the eternal Spring Medellín.

Recent Summits

Hosted by Teatro del Lago in Frutillar.
Hosted by Lunigiana International Music Festival.
Hosted by Sinfonía Por el Perú in the Volcanic Ring.
Hosted by the Society of the Four Arts.
Hosted by Bielsko-Biala Municipality.

“The Innovation Summit tasked us to discover new solutions to local challenges alongside organization directors and team leaders. We learned that in a complex world, artists can empower others to see themselves not as victims but as people with creative choices, to find opportunities where others see dead ends. It is astounding how the Global Leaders Institute has mobilized artists & leaders of the sector from different parts of the world – bringing expertise, cultural exchange, and dialogue around advocacy.”

Janielle Beh | 2020 Cohort (Australia & Afghanistan)