The Impact of the GLS | Developing Leaders of the Future

Brian Loiacono was born with the gift of leadership. At the young age of eight, he was already taking on leadership roles, and it has been natural for him to mentor other kids, lead a charity walk team and be chosen as the team captain of his athletic teams. “Leadership has always been a part of my life and a passion of mine,” he says. As a college student at Illinois State University, he has founded and leads a student organization called Christian Business Leaders.

Recognizing Brian’s leadership gift, his mother invited him to attend the Global Leadership Summit for the first time in 2015. “I was the youngest attendee at my local host site,” Brian shares. “I believe that being so young and learning from great leaders will make me better. The GLS really sparked my interest in developing my leadership skills in the business world, and I would like to take them to the next level as I pursue my degree and enter the workforce.”

The GLS has been a major influence in his life as he leads the student organization he started in 2014. “I have been able to implement many aspects of the Summit,” Brian explains. “By implementing the 6X6 leadership goals and honing in on six aspects of how to improve the organization, we have been able to accomplish more than we have ever thought we could. I also repeatedly ask members what their ‘white hot why’ is and what they are doing in order to reach their ‘why’ in life. I also encourage my leadership team to utilize the GLSnext app on their phone.

“The session that most impacted me at the Summit was with Jim Collins,” Brian says. “It really made me think about what kind of leader I want to be. It was helpful hear this as a college student who is trying to figure out my place in the world and how I can impact others.”

In the short time that the Christian Business Leaders organization has existed at ISU, they’ve been able to gain sponsorship, build a community culture, raise funds for a local non-profit, as well as bring in speakers like former Chicago Bears running back, Adrian Peterson, to speak about how faith has impacted his career. Under Brian’s leadership, he hopes that the Christian Business Leaders organization becomes one of the largest organizations at his school by the time he graduates.

But Brian’s dream is bigger than his school alone.

By the time he graduates, he wants to hold a Christian Business Conference, inviting prominent local Christian leaders to improve students’ knowledge about leadership. “I hope we have set up an organization whose mission can benefit future generations, and create great leaders in the world who can make a difference in people’s lives and have a positive impact,” says Brian.

Brian has been inspired to consider his ‘white hot why’ as he discovers the kind of leader he wants to be and to remember nothing is impossible when you believe. His aspirations for the future are admirable. “I hope to one day become the CEO of a company, and use Christian values and ethics to lead the organization. I want to be a leader within my church and help others strengthen their faith,” he says.

“Do not underestimate what a small group of like-minded people can do,” says Brian. “If you surround yourself with people who have the same mindset and are willing to put in the work, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Give it to God. Let God empower you, give you strength and guide a path for your life so you can impact the lives of others.”