Our philosophy
The Fortis Society exists to bring together some of the world's most promising leaders to create positive social change. This goal is rooted in recognition of the large, often covert, hurdles encountered by potential changemakers from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not have the useful connections enjoyed by the more privileged.
Belonging to a powerful network has been proven time and again to be of paramount importance to life success. The Fortis Society leverages its resources to strengthen a unique network which is truly life-changing for its Members.
Through the Fortis Society, some of the most impressive individuals from diverse backgrounds have the potential to create a much bigger impact than they could have accomplished on their own.
From one founder to a global society
Fortis was founded by Jean Karoubi. Jean came from a disadvantaged background himself and had to build his own path without the network many of his peers had, an experience that shaped his conviction that talent has no zip code. He was close with Charles F. “Chuck” Feeney, the legendary philanthropist whom Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have called their personal hero and role model for his selflessness, and it was that friendship, paired with Jean’s own experience building a career from scratch, that inspired the idea for Fortis.
With that vision in mind, Jean and the founding team created the Future Leaders Foundation (FLF), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in August 2014. The Fortis Society was launched by FLF in 2018, with the first graduating class of Future Global Leaders Fellows, now known as Fortis Fellows, as charter Members. Each year that followed, the Society welcomed a select number of outstanding young professionals into the fold.
During the pandemic, we paused recruitment. The in-person gatherings so central to how Fortis works simply weren’t possible. In 2027, we’re relaunching that process with a new, redesigned Fortis Fellowship, welcoming our next class of Fellows into the Society.
Where the society convenes
Every year the society gathers for the Fortis Summit, hosted in a different city. Beyond the annual Summit, members organize their own regional meetups throughout the year, keeping the network active between gatherings.
Four things distinguish Fortis from an ordinary professional network
We recognize that meaningful impact requires connections beyond one's own community or country, which is why our Members span five continents around the world working across cultures, languages, and regions to build a truly global network.
The biggest breakthroughs happen at the intersection of fields. Fortis is intentionally cross-sector, bringing together Members across law, medicine, government, technology, academia, the arts, and beyond, so every problem gets more than one lens.
Fortis is not networking for its own sake. Every relationship in this Society exists in service of something larger; Members use their connections to create positive change, both for one another and for the world around them.
The playing field has never been equal, and every Member has had to build their own way onto it. That shared experience is what makes trust possible between Members from day one, an understanding that doesn't need explaining.
What Members give each other
We understand that powerful networks are one of the most important resources for personal and professional development. We uphold the Honor Pledge by sharing our unique expertise, experiences, and personal networks to help each other strategize and solve challenges, and above all we join forces to maximize our positive impact. Among other means, we achieve this synergy by exchanging and developing ideas, starting business ventures together, sharing job and fellowship opportunities, providing moral support, making relevant introductions, and providing insight from our region or country.
A membership spanning five continents
The Society has a strong global presence, with Members representing a wide range of national backgrounds, spanning five continents, and specializing in a wide range of expertise. Since the organization is in its early years, Fortis Members currently range from recent graduates to young professionals.
Diversity is part of Fortis's DNA. As such, Fortis stands firmly and actively against any form of discrimination, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Self-governed by its Members
The Fortis Society is self-governed by its Members. Day-to-day leadership sits with a member-led Executive Team, supported by a Recruitment & Selection Committee that runs the annual Fortis Fellowship selection process together with a network of volunteer application reviewers, outreach volunteers, and regional ambassadors.