The 2026 class brings together 118 leaders under the age of 40 from 54 countries, representing public service, science, business, civil society, and culture. Members of the new class reflect the breadth of leaders driving progress in today’s world, from ministers, gold medallists, and filmmakers to artists, investors, and civil society leaders

The new class includes Tomas Okmanas, our Co-Founder; Dominican-American Olympic gold medallist Thea LaFond; Jennifer Zhang of Singapore, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WIZ.AI; and Ghanaian-American Professor Sally Nuamah of Northwestern University.

Leaders in uncertain times

This year’s class is announced at a time when leaders are being tested by rapid technological advances, economic uncertainty, and evolving expectations of institutions. The cohort brings together individuals who are not only excelling in their fields but also redefining leadership: demonstrating greater foresight, stronger public purpose, and a deeper capacity to turn innovation into meaningful progress. 

The new class brings together leaders at the highest levels of public life, founders building frontier companies, and professors, researchers, and cultural figures driving progress in today’s world. The class of 2026 reflects a generation of leaders who are global in outlook, interdisciplinary in approach, and increasingly defined by innovation, excellence, and impact. 

“The most effective leaders today are those who combine vision with responsibility, innovation with prosperity and success with service,” said Ida Jeng Christensen, Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders. “The Class of 2026 reflects a remarkable generation of people who are already expanding what leadership can look like across government, business, academia, civil society, and culture.”

Since its founding in 2004, the Forum of Young Global Leaders Foundation has brought together outstanding leaders from around the world who share a commitment to improving the state of the world, following a rigorous one-year selection process. Through a three-year leadership journey, members engage in executive learning, peer exchange, and cross-sector collaboration, while contributing perspectives and solutions to the World Economic Forum’s broader work.

At a time when the world needs fresh thinking, credible role models, and institutions that can adapt, the Young Global Leaders community remains a powerful source of ideas, energy, and leadership for a more innovative, resilient, and inclusive future.

Discover the full list of the 2026 Young Global Leaders here: https://www.younggloballeaders.org/2026-class