The 6th Global Leadership Challenge (GLC), held from 11 to 15 December, brought together 100 emerging leaders from more than 55 nations for a five-day programme dedicated to tackling real-world challenges through the lens of character and responsible leadership.
This year’s Challenge began with opening remarks from Award Jury members Prof Edward Brooks, Executive Director of The Oxford Character Project, and Anna Penido, Executive Director of Centro Lemann for Leadership and Equity in Education. Their reflections set the tone for a week centred on integrity, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership.
Participants then engaged in a Challenge Partner Dialogue with Swiss Re, Lidl International (Schwarz Gruppe), and the St. Gallen Symposium, exploring some of the most pressing issues facing organisations today, including the role of AI in the workplace, employee engagement, and the global waste crisis. Building on these discussions, a design thinking workshop led by Dr Rachel Brooks equipped participants with practical tools to begin developing innovative and actionable solutions.
Day 2 reinforced the programme’s emphasis on dialogue and character through a cross-cultural conversation hosted by DIE ZEIT. Participants were paired with others holding diverse viewpoints, encouraging thoughtful and constructive engagement across differences. This was followed by a session on responsible leadership with Corey Crossan Stevens, which highlighted the importance of moral grounding in effective decision-making. Later, participants engaged in a fireside chat with Pierre Schalbe, Chief Financial and People Officer at Lidl International, who shared insights on leading an organisation of more than 400,000 people and the critical role of character at scale.
Over the weekend, participants refined their final pitches, applying insights from speakers, workshops, and partner engagements as they prepared for the final presentations.
This year’s winning team, Team Lidl, included Anna Kalamkarian, Dhruv Johri, Kaidi Ru, Tri Bang Nhan, and Ying Wai Chow. Their creative and holistic approach to responsible leadership distinguished them among a highly competitive cohort. The team will receive a fully funded trip to the 55th St. Gallen Symposium, where they will continue engaging with global leaders shaping the future.
The final day featured reflections from Roman Gojayev, GLC alumnus, Obama Leader, and Founder of Gender Hub Azerbaijan, who spoke about the lasting impact of the programme. It concluded with a fireside chat with Fabien Curto Millet, Chief Economist at Google, exploring how leaders can translate knowledge into action in rapidly evolving contexts.
GLC 2025 was made possible through the generous partnership of the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the St. Gallen Symposium, Swiss Re, and Lidl International (Schwarz Gruppe). Their support enabled a transformative experience for participants, who leave the programme equipped to lead with clarity, compassion, and character.