Young Presidents' Organization


YPO is a global leadership community of chief executives with approximately 29,000 members in more than 130 countries, according to the organization's 2019 YPO international fact sheet.

History

YPO was founded in 1950 in Rochester, New York, by manufacturer Ray Hickok, who was 27 years old when he became the head of his family's Rochester-based Hickok Belt, a 300-employee company.
The first meeting was held in 1950 at the Waldorf Astoria New York and was attended by Robert Wood Johnson III. Hickok and a small group of young presidents in the area began meeting regularly to share and learn from each other. According to the organization, its founding principle is that of education and idea exchange among peers.
As of 2019, there are more than 450 chapters worldwide and more than 28,000 members.

Membership requirements

To qualify for membership, a person must have become, before age 45, the president or chairman and chief executive officer of a corporation of significance with a minimum revenue and minimum number of employees. The financial criteria differ for service companies and banks. Candidates must be typically recommended by two members of a local chapter and approved by a membership committee of each local chapter.

Past and present notable members

Jonathan Zucker, CEO 1-Chinaman Co. Ltd.

YPO EDGE

YPO hosts its flagship leadership gathering called YPO EDGE each year in different city. YPO EDGE is YPO’s annual showcase of thought leadership and innovation, bringing together visionaries, talented leaders, subject matter experts and unique voices from around the world to engage and inspire all that attend this invitation-only event. Previous host cities include:
Pat McNees, YPO: The First 50 Years..