Dear fellow IFES Members,
Dear Friends,
Our industry has always thrived on innovation, adaptability, and the exchange of ideas across borders. Today, the pace of change we are facing demands something more deliberate: a conscious effort to bring new voices into the conversation – and to truly listen.
This is where our renewed focus on Future in Focus: ITT and Reverse Mentorship comes in.
With the continued development of the ITT (IFES Talent Team), we are strengthening a platform that connects emerging professionals from across our global community. These individuals are not simply “the next generation” – they are already shaping how we think, communicate, and do business. Their perspectives reflect the realities of a rapidly evolving world: digital-first, sustainability-driven, and culturally interconnected.
But tapping into that potential requires a shift in mindset.
Reverse mentorship is what we have started to announce at the IFES World Summit in Guadalajara. It is no more a trend – I’d call it a necessity. By creating structured opportunities for young professionals to share insights directly with senior leaders, we open the door to fresh thinking, challenge established assumptions, and ultimately make better decisions as organizations and as an industry.
This is a call to action.
To all CEOs and Board Members within our network: investing in young talent is no longer optional. It is a strategic imperative. And investment is not only financial – it is time, exposure, and access.
I invite all CEOs and Senior Leaders to enable our rising talents to continuously participate in initiatives such as the IFES World Summit and our Masterclasses. These are not isolated events; they are relevant touchpoints throughout the year that foster continuous learning, global collaboration, and meaningful relationships across continents, disciplines, and generations.
If we want to build a resilient and future-ready industry, we must seize those moments as continuous opportunities to connect, to challenge each other, and to grow together.
The future of IFES – and of our industry – will not be defined by a single generation. It will be shaped by how well we bring generations together.
Let’s make that collaboration happen intentionally .
