Why mission-driven leadership matters in the new era

Just as our world is interconnected, so are our challenges and opportunities. By deepening collaboration and nurturing mission-driven leaders, we can achieve more than we have over the past 21 centuries. However, it will require everyone to embrace the vision of a better future that leaves no one behind.

So the task for the leaders of our time, as we prepare for what lies ahead, is to inspire people with a vision of a future they can believe in and work towards realizing. The key is in deepening collaboration, not further isolation.

The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 reveals declining optimism with 62% of its survey respondents, comprising more than 900 experts from around the world, anticipating turbulent times ahead. Trust in governing institutions is declining, with an increasing number of people becoming sceptical of their governments' ability to navigate the challenging times ahead.

Meanwhile, the urgency of environmental risks continues to rise, with extreme weather events ranked as the top major risk over the next 10 years, with critical changes to Earth systems also ranked among the most severe risks over the next decade – indicating that we will likely experience more natural disasters and unprecedented events.

In parallel, rapid technological shifts pose opportunities and challenges for societies, fuelled by artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies that pose new types of questions and require new leadership skills.

The obstacles ahead are significant, but so is our potential to unite and tackle them through collective action. Overcoming what lies ahead will require dedicated, adaptable and mission-driven leaders who will bridge the gaps between us, helping drive innovation through deep collaboration to create a stable and prosperous future in which everyone not only has a stake or a say, but also can realize their fullest potential.

A Young Global Leaders-led Global Future Council on Leadership is confronting this by exploring how future-ready leadership can rebuild confidence in institutions, reduce polarization and equip leaders to navigate today’s interconnected global challenges.

In these volatile times, we need leaders who are ready to heed the call to bring people together in pursuit of a shared vision. We need mission-driven leaders who understand the value of inspiring others to act and consider diverse, often-overlooked perspectives in finding solutions to shared problems.

As the Young Global Leaders Annual Summit 2025 meets in Geneva from 2-4 September, here's how some of these inspiring leaders are working to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

The collaborative spirit that drives our work through the Forum of Young Global Leaders is rooted in collectively achieving such a mission by working with leaders who challenge the status quo and are excited to pursue innovative methods. These community members exemplify how to bridge perspectives in diverse fields to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

One such Young Global Leader, Arvind Satyam, co-founded Pano AI in 2020 after witnessing the devastation caused by the Australian bushfires in 2019. Satyam is mobilizing various stakeholders around the goal of using technology to help solve the climate crisis. Pano AI analyses footage from strategically placed cameras and satellites using AI to detect wildfires before they escalate into large-scale conflagrations.

To ensure effective mitigation against the growing threat of wildfires, the company collaborates with local emergency responders, private-sector companies and over 250 first-responder agencies that automatically receive potential fire alerts. Pano AI has recently raised over $44 million in Series B funding, which will enable the company to enhance its technology and accelerate response efforts to protect communities and ecosystems.

One of our most recent Young Global Leaders is Orondaam Otto, founder and head of Slum2School Africa, a volunteer-driven development organization based in Nigeria. This organization offers education, entrepreneurial skills and psychosocial support to children living in slums and remote communities. Otto is empowering the next generation of African leaders to realize their full potential as contributors and innovators who will help solve the shared challenges of the future.

Through Millions of Conversations, Young Global Leader alumnus Samar Ali is working to bridge divides and nurture a sense of belonging, helping communities across the United States heal through listening and respect so that every person feels seen, heard, and included. This empathetic leadership will be crucial in helping navigate global changes as the world grows increasingly polarized.

OceanX, established Young Global Leader Mark Dalio, is transforming humanity's relationship with the ocean from one of exploitation to one of mutual benefit. OceanX collects critical data and translates knowledge into action by informing the decision-making processes that help restore ocean health, thereby improving human lives and safeguarding our collective ecosystem.

These Young Global Leaders are building bridges to address future challenges through inclusive collaboration, innovation and mission-driven leadership that benefits the global community. To navigate what lies ahead, we must foster a society where leaders are inspired to bridge divides and collaborate deeply- unlocking humanity’s full potential.

To follow this dialogue, stay tuned for these live sessions from the Young Global Leaders Annual Summit 2025, themed 'Leadership Preparedness for a New Era':

Tuesday, 2 September, 17.00 CET: Leadership in a Connected World

Wednesday, 3 September, 14.00 CET: Young Global Leader Annual Summit Opening Plenary

Thursday, 4 September, at 14.30 CET: Leadership and Empathy

Thursday, 4 September, at 17.00 CET: Resilient Leadership and Wellbeing