The Responsible Leaders Network is a community of joy. People are dancing.

    Collective Intelligence for Collective Action

    Responsible Leaders Network

    CONTENTS

    A Community of Purpose

    The BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network

    Currently, the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network unites more than 2,600 Responsible Leaders in over 117 countries. These bright minds shape our present and future by molding institutions, communities, and movements across continents and industries. They are developing forward-looking approaches and solutions to the challenges of our time.

    Members

    Who are the Responsible Leaders?

    Responsible Leaders are leaders whose work and impact has been publicly recognized. They are first-movers, doers, and experts from business, policy, science and civil society who are committed to creating lasting solutions and change at scale. Responsible Leaders contribute to an open-minded and future-proof society by addressing the root causes of today's most pressing challenges. They embody the following characteristics:

    • Innovativeness: Responsible Leaders think out of the box, inspire others to do the same and work on new approaches to today’s challenges.
    • Self-awareness: Responsible Leaders reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses, are authentic, and assume responsibility.
    • Decisiveness: Responsible Leaders are willing to take risks and break new ground to drive systems change.
    • Resilience: Responsible Leaders consider the bigger picture — meaning that they see social, political, and environmental challenges in a larger context — and adapt to it.
    • Collaboration: Responsible Leaders have a genuine interest in working together — even in partnering with unlikely allies.
    • Dignity: Responsible Leaders create an environment where everyone can thrive. Empathy and deep respect for all humans and the planet are necessary prerequisites. 
    The invitation and selection process of new Network members takes into consideration a dynamic set of criteria that include: leadership excellence and experience, knowledge, relevance, impactful contributions through their work, and diversity (in terms of gender, race, abilities, sexualities, class background, religious beliefs, age, etc.).

    People waiting at metro station in Barcelona

    Value Proposition

    Our Role as an Organization

    The BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network is managed by the Collective Intelligence team and shaped by its members. Each Responsible Leader is invited to share their experience and knowledge, co-create, and start initiatives to reach shared goals. Together, we create a more positive impact than we would on our own.

    Our Value Proposition for Responsible Leaders
    • Trust-based connections: trustful relationships with leaders and experts across sectors and regions
    • Access to high-level leaders across 120+ countries: membership in a global network of leaders in business, policy, science and civil society under the prestigious BMW Foundation brand
    • Challenge-led approach: professional connections and collaborations around specific current and emerging topics
    • Exposure to new perspectives and knowledge: broadening horizons by engaging with impactful leaders from various sectors, backgrounds, experiences and cultures in both Foundation- and Network-driven initiatives
    • Opportunity to increase one’s impact: potential collaborations within the Network and ecosystem for collective action
    • Leadership development: access to different tools, sources, and methodologies (e.g., fellowships, peer mentoring and coaching, upskilling and critical connections) by participating in both Foundation- and Network-driven initiatives

    The Power of the Network

    How has the Network evolved?

    Since the late 1990s, the BMW Foundation has been developing and growing a global network of leaders in business, policy and science, bringing in leaders from civil society, media, culture and the arts from 2006 onwards. Regional networks were established starting in 2014. Regional networks operate in five regions around the world: Europe, the Americas (North America and Latin America), West Asia and North Africa (WANA), Africa, and Asia. We also implemented systematic processes to deliberately evolve network building towards communities building. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we shifted from event-driven to more process-focused work.By joining the network, Responsible Leaders are invited to:

    • connect and collaborate with 2,600+ Network members (a members’ intranet is scheduled to be launched by late 2025)
    • participate in in-person and virtual meetings, activities, programs and projects
    • join, promote or offer activities to other Network members
    • share ideas and contribute to vibrant meetings, events, and communities
    • collaborate with, mentor and be mentored in both Foundation- and Network-driven initiatives and organizations.
    Participation in and relations among Network members are guided by the Responsible Leaders Network Guidelines.

    THE NETWORK GUIDELINES

    How to Become a Member

    Scaling Impact: How We Grow the Network

    Once a candidate attends a BMW Foundation meeting and demonstrates their potential to inspire others, drive change through innovation, and generate impact, we invite them to become part of the Network.

    • Recommendation: Network Drivers, Responsible Leaders, and partners identify and recommend leaders and experts in their regions and/or communities.
    • Scouting and Outreach: Our team reaches out to people whose expertise is relevant to the Foundation’s current challenges and initiatives or who promise to be a great asset to the Network based on its target groups.
    • Application: Leaders can apply to our programs and accelerator to be considered for membership.
    Becoming part of the Network involves a commitment to contribute to innovative pathways to strengthen an innovative and responsible economy while also promoting an open-minded and future-proof society.