A Summit of Minds, A Lesson in Leadership
“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”
— Vince Lombardi
Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Explorers Club logo flagKathryn and I have returned home from Ottawa after attending The Explorers Club’s Global Exploration Summit (GLEX) 2025, and the afterglow of thought still lingers. As images and reflections from fellow attendees surface, one truth is clear: something extraordinary transpired. People were stirred. Friendships were forged. Minds were opened to the cosmos above and the human spirit within.
Headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, where GLEX Ottawa 2025 was held.In the quiet descent that follows such a gathering, there is a collective reckoning, a gentle attempt to absorb the gravity of all that was shared. Those who were there know. Some admitted to tears, not only from awe at the immensity of space or the fragility of our planet, but from deeper themes that threaded it all together: love, empathy, humanity, and the unyielding drive to explore the unknown.
GLEX 2025To call the summit inspiring would be an understatement. A better word is transformational. It reminded us that discovery is not only about what lies beyond the horizon, but also what lies within.
This summit was made possible through the partnership of two storied institutions. The Explorers Club, founded in 1904 to champion scientific exploration, and The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, established in 1929 as Canada’s leading voice for geography, exploration, education, and environmental stewardship, joined forces to bring GLEX to Ottawa.
Richard Wiese and John GeigerRichard Wiese, President of The Explorers Club, captured the spirit of the occasion: “GLEX is the Davos of exploration and we wanted to host it in Canada this year. Canada has played such a vital role in the history of exploration, and we collectively felt that our Canadian brothers and sisters were not getting the proper recognition or love they deserve from their neighbors to the south.”
John Geiger, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, echoed the urgency: “With a dearth of enlightened leadership globally, it is more important than ever to build cross-border alliances with organizations dedicated to scientific inquiry and the health of the planet… We are honoured at this critical moment that they would opt to host their most important summit in Canada.”
Members of the Explorers Club’s Canadian Chapter who attended GLEX.By choosing Ottawa as the stage for GLEX 2025, these two leaders did more than organize an event. They modelled the kind of leadership the world is hungry for: bold, inclusive, and grounded in shared purpose. When the leaders of two respected exploration societies come together and lead with purpose, they demonstrate that exploration is not just about discovery; it is also about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. It is about shaping a better future for humanity and reminds us that we are all connected and move forward best when we move forward together. 
Jett Britnell, FI’16
Canadian Chapter Chair
The Explorers Club Canadian Chapter