Young Presidents’ Organization: A Complete Guide to the YPO

What is the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO)? Just how young do you need to be to join? What are the YPO membership benefits?

The Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) is a global leadership community of chief executives with more than 34,000 global members in over 142 countries. We’ve put together a guide to the YPO to help you understand what it’s all about and see if YPO membership is right for you. So, let’s get started.

What Is the YPO?

When Ray Hickok was 27, he took on the leadership of his family’s 300-employee company. He was frustrated by the lack of resources and support available to young CEOs. So, in 1950, he founded the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) in Rochester, New York, to provide a forum for them to learn from each other and share ideas and best practices. The YPO held its first meeting at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Robert Wood Johnson III of Johnson & Johnson was among the attendees.

YPO’s mission is to “empower leaders to make a difference in the world.” The organization provides its members with access to a global network of peers, educational programs, and resources to help them become better leaders. YPO also advocates for policies and practices that support responsible business leadership.

YPO’s programs and resources are designed to help its members become better leaders in their businesses, communities, and the world. These programs include:

• Educational programs: YPO offers a wide range of educational programs for its members, including leadership development programs, industry-specific programs, and programs on topics such as ethics, governance, and risk management.
• Resource library: YPO has a comprehensive resource library that includes books, articles, and other materials on leadership, management, and business.
• Peer network: YPO’s global network of peers provides members with the opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other, and build relationships.
• Advocacy: YPO also advocates for policies and practices that support responsible business leadership.

YPO is a valuable resource for CEOs who are looking to become better leaders. The organization’s global network of peers, educational programs, and resources can help CEOs improve their leadership skills, achieve their business goals, and make a difference in the world.

YPO Membership Requirements

Becoming a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization is a great way to connect with other CEOs, learn from thought leaders, and develop your leadership skills.

If you’re a driven and ambitious CEO, you might want to join YPO. However, YPO membership is a fairly exclusive proposition. Let’s take a look at the YPO membership requirements and considerations.

• Age: Must be under the age of 45 on the day of application
• Title: Must be the president, chief executive officer, chairperson of the board, managing director, managing partner, or equivalent
• Company employment: Must have 50 full-time employees or 15+ full-time employees and a minimum annual employee compensation of $2,000,000
• Company revenue/assets/value: Must have $13,000,000+ revenue (sales, service, manufacturing), $10,000,000+ revenue (agency), $260,000,000+ AUM (financial institution), or $20,000,000+ enterprise value

In addition to these YPO membership requirements, YPO considers the following factors when evaluating an application:

• Character: Good character and reputation
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills and experience
• Growth: Commitment to personal and professional development
• Contribution: Potential to contribute to YPO’s mission and values
• Fit: Fit with YPO’s culture and community

YPO age limit

To be eligible for membership in the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), you must be under the age of 45 on the day of your application. (Other YPO membership requirements apply, and we’ll cover those later.)

Here are some of the reasons why YPO has an age limit:

• To create a community of peers: YPO wants to create a community of peers where members can share experiences and learn from each other. So, by limiting membership to those under the age of 45, YPO can ensure that its members are in the same stage of their careers and have similar experiences.
• To promote leadership development: YPO believes that the best way to develop leaders is to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow. So, by imposing an age limit, YPO makes it easier for its members to have the opportunity to participate in YPO’s educational programs and resources.
• To create a sense of urgency: YPO believes that leaders need to be motivated to achieve their goals. Because they limit membership to those under the age of 45, YPO can create a sense of urgency among its members, as they know they have a limited amount of time to make a difference in the world.

If you’re a CEO who is under the age of 45 and is looking for a community of peers, YPO may be a good fit for you. The organization can provide you with the support, resources, and network you need to achieve your goals.

What happens when YPO members turn 45?

If you turn 45 while you’re a member, you’re generally required to transition to YPO Gold, which is a program for former YPO members. As a YPO Gold member, you have access to many of the same benefits, including networking, mentoring, and educational opportunities. However, you’re not eligible to vote on YPO matters or hold a leadership position.

There’s an exception to the YPO age limit: Members who are over the age of 45 but have been members for at least 10 years are eligible to remain members.

YPO membership fees

YPO membership fees vary depending on your age, company size, and chapter location. So, let’s just review general YPO membership fees.

• Initiation Fee: The initiation fee is a one-time fee that’s paid when you join YPO. It’s $3,975 for members under the age of 45 and $7,950 for members over the age of 45.
• Annual Dues: The annual dues are paid on a monthly basis and are based on the member’s company size and chapter location. The annual dues for members with companies with $5 million to $10 million in annual revenue are $3,975 per month. The annual dues for members with companies with $10 million to $25 million in annual revenue are $4,975 per month. Finally, the annual dues for members with companies with $25 million or more in annual revenue are $5,975 per month.
• Chapter Dues: Chapter dues are paid on a monthly basis and are used to support the chapter’s activities. The chapter dues vary depending on the chapter location.

In addition to the initiation fee and annual dues, YPO might also require members to pay for additional expenses such as travel expenses to attend YPO events and educational programs.

This information is accurate as of January 2024. However, it’s important to note that YPO membership fees are subject to change at any time. Contact YPO to stay up-to-date on YPO membership fees.

How to Improve Your Chances of YPO Acceptance

If you aim to join YPO, here are some of the things you can do to boost your chances of meeting the YPO membership requirements:

• Develop your leadership skills: Take leadership courses and read leadership books. Also, practice leadership skills in your everyday life. Picking up a few high income skills also couldn’t hurt.
• Get involved in your community: Volunteer your time to local organizations and causes.
• Build your network: Attend networking events, connect with other CEOs on social media, and reach out to people you admire.
• Prepare your application: Make sure your application is well-written and error-free. Also, highlight your leadership skills, your contributions to your company and community, and your fit with YPO’s culture and values.

If you’re interested in learning more about YPO membership, visit the YPO website or contact your local chapter.

However, you can also use AI to improve your chances of acceptance.

How to use AI to up your chances of YPO acceptance

Effective communication is an unspoken requirement of YPO. To be successful leaders, you need to know how to get your message across in the most efficient way based on your audience. You can improve your public speaking skills with a tool like Yoodli.

Yoodli is an AI-powered public speaking coach that allows you to make data-informed decisions for how to improve your speech. Here’s how it works.

You can record or upload a video of yourself practicing speaking (such as giving a presentation or a speech) and Yoodli does the rest. It’ll provide you with a full report of your speaking stats, from your word choice, speaking pace, volume, and even your body language, like eye contact.

Not only that, but this speech coach gives you actionable feedback, so you can skip the guesswork and go straight to ways in which you can improve. For example, if you use lots of filler words, Yoodli might suggest implementing some natural pauses or slowing your speaking rate. It’ll even recommend ways to tighten the language of what you say to make it more concise if you’re monologuing.

Yoodli is being rolled out to 300,000 Toastmasters all over the world. It’s also used by major companies such as Google and Microsoft, as well as business schools.

Take advantage of this tool today to increase your changes of YPO acceptance.

Famous YPO Members

There are several famous YPO members and former members. Here are a few examples.

Mukesh Ambani: The chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited, Ambani is one of the richest people in the world. He’s been a member of YPO’s Mumbai chapter.

Elon Musk: The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk is a well-known entrepreneur and innovator. He’s been a member of YPO’s Bay Area chapter.

Jeff Bezos: The founder and CEO of Amazon, Bezos is one of the most successful businessmen in the world. He’s been a member of YPO’s Seattle chapter.

Mark Zuckerberg: The co-founder and CEO of Facebook, Zuckerberg is one of the most influential people in the world. He’s been a member of YPO’s Palo Alto chapter.

Jamie Dimon: The CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Dimon is one of the most powerful bankers in the world. He’s been a member of YPO’s New York City chapter.

Susan Wojcicki: The former CEO of YouTube, Wojcicki is a leading figure in the technology industry. She’s been a member of YPO’s San Francisco chapter.

Arianna Huffington: The co-founder and CEO of Thrive Global, Huffington is a well-known author and entrepreneur. She’s been a member of YPO’s New York City chapter.

Richard Branson: The founder of the Virgin Group, Branson is a well-known entrepreneur and adventurer. He’s been a member of YPO’s London chapter.

So, as you can see, YPO has a long history of attracting successful and influential leaders from around the world. It’s no surprise that being in YPO can improve your executive presence, too. But there are even more benefits to this org that you might think.

YPO Benefits

The Young Presidents’ Organization offers a wide range of benefits to its members, including:

• Personal and professional development: YPO provides a variety of programs and resources to help members develop their leadership skills and achieve their personal and professional goals. Also, YPO members have the opportunity to learn from each other through one-on-one meetings, group discussions, and case studies.
• Global networking opportunities: YPO members have access to a network of peers all over the world who can provide support, advice, and collaboration.
• Community: YPO is a community. So, if you’re looking for a sense of belonging, YPO can fill that desire.
• Access to thought leaders: YPO regularly hosts events with renowned thought leaders from academia, business, and government.
• Advocacy: YPO also advocates for policies and practices that support responsible business leadership as well as DEIB.

Here are some of the things you can do as a YPO member:

• Attend YPO events: YPO hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including annual conferences, regional meetings, and chapter events. As a result, members have the opportunity to network with other CEOs, learn from thought leaders, and share experiences.
• Get involved in your chapter: YPO chapters are active communities where members can get involved in a variety of activities, such as mentoring, fundraising, and community service. Getting involved in your chapter is a great way to meet new people, make friends, and give back to your community.
• Take advantage of YPO resources: YPO offers a variety of resources to its members, including educational programs, a resource library, and a business network. So, if you want to develop your leadership skills, grow your business, and make a difference in the world, YPO’s resources can help.

Is the Young Presidents’ Organization for You?

If you’re a CEO who’s looking to become a better leader, you might seek to join YPO. The organization can provide you with the support, resources, and network you need to achieve your goals. Also, it looks great on your resume.

We hope we’ve answered any questions you have about the Young Presidents’ Organization. But, we recommend that you get in touch with YPO if you’d like to explore the opportunity more.

Note: This post was created in partnership with artificial intelligence.