YPO Membership Criteria and Benefits
Established in 1950, the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) is as a global community of accomplished and experienced executive leaders. More than 30,000 business leaders from around the world make up the YPO’s membership. These members’ companies combine for approximately $9 trillion in annual revenue and 22 million employees.
YPO members are diverse in a number of ways, bringing unique perspectives, ideas, and expertise to the community, which revolves around information exchange and new ideas. In fact, the YPO operates with a mission of becoming the most diverse, inclusive organization of its kind, valuing diversity’s impact on both business and community. That said, members share common ground as effective leaders who have experienced success at early ages. Furthermore, each member must meet all criteria for YPO membership.
As stated, a key requirement for membership involves career achievements and how those achievements have impacted the industry at large. Members are also valued for their skills as leaders in the workplace. That said, there are several additional factors that must be considered prior to YPO membership.
First of all, potential members must be at least 45 years of age to apply. They must also be at the executive level within their organizations. Acceptable titles include, but are not limited to, president, chief executive officer, chairman of the board, managing director, and managing partner.
The scale of a potential member’s business is also factored into the membership review process. The applicant’s business should consist of at least 50 full-time employees or more than 15 full-time employees who receive a minimum of $2 million in annual employee compensation. The YPO may overlook these revenue requirements if a company’s enterprise value exceeds $20 million. Financial institutions should be valued at more than $260 million.
An applicant’s business is further evaluated in regard to annual revenue. Agencies, such as real estate brokers and advertising agencies, must generate more than $10 million annually. Businesses involved in sales, services, and manufacturing, meanwhile, must post annual revenues of over $13 million.
In order to better serve members, the global YPO community has been separated into 14 regional groups, such as YPO Africa and YPO Mid-America US. The regions are further divided into local chapters. YPO Mid-America US, for example, consists of over 3,400 members across more than 40 chapters.
There are a number of reasons to consider applying for YPO membership, including access to the largest network of international executives seeking to improve their capabilities as leaders. Additional benefits range from personal growth and professional development resources to high-caliber peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Members also receive invitations to exclusive leadership events, including the Global Impact Awards and YPO Edge, the organization’s annual leadership summit. Past events have focused on subjects such as the future role of technology in health care and how women can excel in male-dominated fields.
To learn more about YPO membership through a local chapter or to begin filling out an application, please visit the organization online at ypo.org.
