4 Business Leaders Bringing Hope To The World With Hopemakers

In the realm of business and social impact, Hopemakers shines brightly. The innovative venture was born when a global company based in the U.S. approached Westwood International president Greg Zlevor, asking him to develop a unique training program. The objective was ambitious yet clear: To instill a culture of hope across their 50,000 employees as they delivered products worldwide.

Westwood International develops customized leadership initiatives for global companies, mid-size enterprises, and forward-thinking founders. Harnessing his expertise, Zlevor assembled a team of over 100 thought leaders, executive coaches, trainers, authors, and artists. Together, they crafted a program that not only aligned with the company’s strategies but also fostered a sense of purpose and community among their employees. The five-year process, conducted in three phases, utilized large scale methods to build a global ecosystem of hope in action.

Today, the intent of Hopemakers extends beyond traditional business metrics. The global network of professionals aims to catalyze hope through the collaborative efforts of businesses, non-profits, and communities. By integrating strategic business practices with heartfelt community engagement, Hopemakers seeks to create a ripple effect of positive change, touching lives and empowering individuals.

Here are four Hopemakers, what inspires them, and their advice for aspiring change makers.

Greg Zlevor, Westwood International

“Hopemakers has been a profound source of inspiration for me,” Zlevor said in an exclusive interview with me. “The collective talent and dedication of our members fuels my commitment. Each person embodies our core values: listening with intent, finding what works, serving generously, and envisioning bold futures together. Our mantra, ‘Make Good Shit Happen,’ (MGSH) isn’t just a slogan—it’s a daily practice that brings tangible change.”

So far, the organization has supported non-profits including FACES, The Freedom Story, orphanages in Africa, the One Humanity Institute, and HOPE Foundation USA. Looking ahead, Hopemakers is poised for expansion. Presently, the group meets twice a year for face-to-face meetings and regularly online. The plan is to broaden the organization’s reach, impacting more communities by scaling its programs and extending its network.

“For aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, one key piece of advice I can offer is to focus on building systems that foster success,” Zlevor says. “Consider the actions, habits, and beliefs that can be structured in such a way that they become second nature, effortlessly leading you toward your goals. Establishing these systems is crucial because it allows you to perform consistently without being bogged down by each decision or doubt.

Lucy McCray, The Freedom Story

Lucy McCray is the CEO of The Freedom Story. Since 2008, the nonprofit has been working to prevent child trafficking in Northern Thailand by identifying at-risk youth and provides them and their families with the resources they need to overcome their risks and thrive: education, mentorship, human rights, and income-generation programs.

“Hopemakers has given me access to a wide community of passionate individuals who are seeking to make a positive difference in the world,” McCray said in an exclusive interview with me. “People are being trafficked from all around the world into ‘forced criminality’ where they are taken to compounds, forced to commit crimes, including scamming people on behalf of their traffickers, and face extreme violence if they are not successful. The UN estimates there are over 200,000 people in these conditions right now. Ensuring children are not caught up in these crimes is challenging.”

To aspiring change makers, McCray advsies, “Surround yourself with a good network! Find mentors, supporters, and friends who are going to pour into your work and into you. Changing the world can be really isolating and lonely, and you’ll face pushback and obstacles. But if you find the right community, that can be the fuel that you need to keep going.”

Eileen Krantz, Harvard Business Publishing

Eileen Krantz is the senior director of engagement management at Harvard Business Publishing, Corporate Learning. They partner with companies around the world to help build the mindset, knowledge, and skills that leaders need to transform their businesses.

Krantz was drawn to Hopemakers because she believes that good leadership makes the world a better place, and that anyone at any time can be a good leader if they have the skills and recognize the moment. “The values of Hopemakers – listen, appreciate, serve, think big together, and make good stuff happen – really resonate with me,” Krantz said in an exclusive interview with me.

“Leadership, as in the rest of life, is about moments,” says Krantz. “You never know exactly when your particular set of talents and skills will be what makes the difference. It’s important to build a leadership toolbox so that you can be as prepared as possible.”

Christine Burych, StarlingBrook Leadership

Christine Burych is the president of StarlingBrook Leadership, a corporation that stands at the forefront of a vital movement toward cultivating mentally healthy workplaces by empowering leaders with specialized training. Rather than focusing on traditional wellness programs, StarlingBrook equips leaders with the skills necessary to engage compassionately and effectively in conversations about mental health.

Burych said in an exclusive interview with me that it is her life’s purpose to create awareness, understanding, and support for those living with mental health issues. In January 2022, she was struggling, feeling a lack of purpose, and meditating on how to make an impact. Then she received an invitation from a friend to join Hopemakers in helping Ukrainian refugees.

“In a few days, we were on a plane, had raised $20,000, and had 100 teddy bears in our suitcases,” Burych says. “Our goal was to hand out 1,000 teddy bears as children crossed the border. $20,000 turned into $40,000. Me and my fellow Hopemakers Nina Meyerhof and Peter Johnson also were able to refurbish an old bakery into 9 apartments for Ukrainian families.”

“Don’t listen to people who tell you can’t do it!” says Burych. “If you feel what you are doing is right, you will feel it in your soul. Find your tribe who will support you and do the same in return. Those who are change makers don’t seek to find the thing they need to change; it finds you.”