Story Behind Our Center
Do you want to make a lasting difference during your time on our planet? I sure do. That's what I left the Fortune 500 after my daughter was born and started CGL. Our Center's mission is to build a global network of young social & environmental entrepreneurs to change the way our world works.
The genesis of our Center... In 1990, I joined a high potential executive development program for a 63,000 person company doing business in over 100 countries. Six months later, I found myself leading those programs. My team of 56 hotshots from around the globe had access to the CEO, Presidents, and Executive VP's. My team and I benefited from state-of-the-art leadership, management, and business training programs. Our carefully screened mentors were global experts in their fields. Not surprisingly, with those kinds of resources at our disposal, each of us rocketed upwards in our careers.
Knowing the advantage provided by this kind of access, training, and mentoring, I asked myself two critical questions in 1991 that changed everything...
- Could we use that training to engage thousands of young people around the planet in tackling social and environmental issues?
- How much better off would our world be?
And with those two questions, the Center for Global Leadership was born.
We call it the "Global Ripple"... Ripple 1, we teach you state-of-the-art skills. Ripple 2, we help you develop a plan to address pressing issues in your local community and/or around the planet. Ripple 3, you implement your plan. Ripple 4, you teach others "how to ripple".
Join us on our journey... It will change your life.
Peace - Martin
What others are saying...
"One of the best leadership educators in the country." - Outdoor Industry
"Some people like money, but my dream is to change education for girls." - Mary, village student from Tanzania
"CGL's work will help create a poverty-free world." - Mukunda from Nepal
"We are designing meaningful projects to help my family thrive." - Charles, former street-child from Tanzania
"This is the coolest thing I've done in my life." - Will from Nashville
"I had the best time, with the coolest people in the world. I learned so much about myself." - Dan from Houston
"It was an amazing and eye-opening experience that I would do again in a heart-beat. The combination of learning and outdoor action was perfect." - Alyssa from Tufts University
"I don't usually find myself opening up this much. The dynamics of this group were so different and supportive that it created the perfect learning atmosphere - that and the river." - Emily from Whitman College
"Incredible people, awesome sights, and great adventures. Ton's of deep thinking and realization. A new begining for me." - Brian from Park City
"So fun. Everyone had a chance to get really close through all the adventures. The group closeness made opening up to others and myself easy - I could really learn and take everything in." - Hannah from Colorado State University
"One of my top 10 life experiences." - Braxton from Nashville
"CGL's founder is the best executive I have ever worked with." - William, Fortune 500 Executive and CEO
"CGL's founder is a person of vision & great character. He builds bridges for teams to succeed at the highest performance levels in complex global environments." - Ramses, General Manager in Mexico
"CGL's founder is a forward thinker. His indomitable spirit and keen intelligence are outshined only by his kind and compassionate heart." - Lisa, inspired mother of three from NY