There is no corporate sponsor, no deep-pockets. Simply five visionary young adults – Ruha Reyhani, Clare O’Brien, Vahid Khamsi, Martin Kummel and Neysan Zölzer. They and the 230 young adult professionals from 40 nations who have attended this week-long conference on defining the future are, in my opinion, among the best and brightest of tomorrow’s leaders.

The five organizers all have “day jobs” yet have found the time to communicate and coordinate … mostly by email … a major conference that focuses on defining visionary leadership principles. In the process, they have attracted speakers from all over the world, ranging from actor Rainn Wilson, writer Holiday Reinhorn and Italian business leader Giuseppe Robiati to Dr. Moshe Sharon, a distinguished scholar from Hebrew University, and Mr. Ian Semple, retired member of the Baha’i Universal House of Justice (on the right).

It was intense – daily lectures and workshops for eight to 12 hours. But, then, tomorrow’s leaders know the meaning of hard work.

I have never before seen, known or participated in such a meaningful conference. My wife, Kit Bigelow, who was one of the speakers, has described the event simply as, “humorously soul uplifting.” I looked at the faces of the young adults, and saw the world’s future. Incidentally, we are both members of the Arlington Baha’i community.

Check out this cool animated slideshow the Changing Times leaders created at the end of the conference, featuring the music of Andy Grammer.

~ David Henderson, an Arlington Baha’i.