REF

The REF Community in San Diego came together for the REF All Member Meeting, in an atmosphere filled with momentum, energy, and connection. The day brought a rich mix of experiences — from inspiring speakers and dynamic breakouts to interactive s, member awards, and authentic peer conversations. We were proud to share REF’s continued growth and evolving vision for what’s next. A heartfelt thank-you to our outstanding host, Anastacia (Tasia) Blazevich, A, MSA of Deloitte, and to our featured speakers: 🎤 Brian K. Gladden, DBA 🎤 Sage Aronson, PhD 🎤 Dani Alger 🎤 Jerry Beers And congratulations to our REF San Diego Partners Mike Richardson, Susan Kuruvilla, BRAD LEE, and Mark Neilson, for delivering an exceptional gathering.

CEOs who remain customer-facing—whether through direct loops, calls, or on-site visits—are twice as likely to anticipate market shifts and adjust ahead of competitors (Bain & Company, 2023). a REF Forum and surround yourself with growth-minded leaders who challenge your perspective and accelerate your evolution. https://ref.global

#AI is transforming everything—so where do you see the greatest opportunity in your organization? At REF, we believe in evolving through collective intelligence, and AI is now one of the most powerful forces accelerating business evolution. Whether it’s transforming how you connect with customers, streamline operations, attract top talent, or personalize marketing, the potential is massive—but the priority depends on your unique strategy. 👉 In which area of your organization do you see the most potential for applying AI? 📊 Vote in the poll and the conversation.

More than 200 leaders came together in Barranquilla for the REF All Meeting – Colombia, held under the powerful theme: “Challenging Limits.” The day began with a warm welcome from Manuel Fernandez Ariza, Executive President of the Barranquilla Chamber of Commerce. What followed was a thought-provoking conversation moderated by Tatyana Orozco De La Cruz (CEO, Consultia Latam), featuring Mauricio Jaramillo (President, Hada Internacional) and Leonidas Oyaga (CEO, Sempertex), who shared rich insights on leadership, growth, and pushing past boundaries. We continued with a TED-style session led by REF Adriana Castro (Valtadria), Juan Ricardo Noero (CEO, Transferport), and María Clara Ramírez Atehortúa (CEO, Descomunal) — three powerful voices showing how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful impact and nation-building. To close the day, we were honored by the presence of Ana Maiguashca, President of the Private Council for Competitiveness, who delivered bold, inspiring reflections on the role of business leaders in shaping lasting change. A sincere thank-you to all our speakers for sharing their vision, and to REF Bogota CEO Margarita Rivera and Partners — Mauricio Camargo, Jose F Calderon, Hugo Alfredo Baquerizo, Alvaro Isaza Upegui, and Andres Isaza Uribe — whose leadership and teamwork made this gathering a true success.

REF Member Fernando Bekes reflects on his experience preparing for Cruce de los Andes — a 100km, 3-day challenge through Patagonia — and how it parallels the journey of leadership, personal growth, and collective he found in REF. From deferring the reward, to overcoming internal limits, to helping and being helped by others — this is what transformation looks like when it’s built on trust and shared purpose. Thank you, Fernando, for being a valuable Member of our Community! 🚀

The best CEOs know that data alone isn’t enough. When the pressure is high and the path isn’t clear, they lean on something just as powerful — intuition. Far from being guesswork, gut instinct is rooted in pattern recognition, emotional memory, and years of experience. And in moments when data is incomplete or teams are gridlocked, it often becomes the CEO’s most trusted ally. 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ej4j8Pfq

We’re proud to welcome the of our newly launched REF Forum in Costa Rica, led by Forum Leader Carlos Rios. This remarkable group of leaders is stepping into a space of growth, perspective, and shared wisdom — surrounded by peers who challenge, , and inspire. Welcome to the REF journey. We’re thrilled to have you with us 🚀

Even the most visionary organizations face barriers when integrating AI 🤖. We’re opening the conversation to our community of bold and thoughtful leaders. 👥 Cast your vote below and the conversation! Your perspective fuels Collective Wisdom.

This Mother’s Day, we recognize the leaders who learned to lead long before entering the boardroom 🚀. We often associate great leadership with MBAs, executive programs, and years of corporate experience. But some of the most transformative leadership skills — resilience, empathy, strategic thinking — are developed in a very different setting: motherhood. 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e9UnzJvJ

We’re excited to welcome all the new who recently ed the REF Community in Medellin, Colombia! This incredible group of leaders is stepping into a journey of growth, collective wisdom, and authentic connections. We’re thrilled to have you with us 🚀