Welcome to Washington, D.C.!

Dear Ambassador,

On behalf of the 85 volunteers who have been preparing for your arrival, I could not be more excited to welcome you to the 2026 World Leadership Congress! This week has the power to change your life forever… big words, I know. However, it can be true for you if you let it.

Seventeen years ago, I attended the WLC right here in Washington, D.C., and now I am honored to serve as chairperson of the seminar. Our team of 85 volunteers, from six different countries, has been working for nearly a year to prepare an outstanding week for you!

As planning ramped up for WLC 2026, I began to reflect on the journey that led me to this role. I thought about all the versions of HOBY I've experienced since my ambassador year in 2009, and the biggest word that came to mind for me was change. No matter what has shifted each year, the magic of HOBY has been just as certain as the changes that always come.

As a beach lover, the pattern of my reflection led me to thinking of the ocean. Sometimes the waves are huge and overwhelming, other times the water is calm and I get to look below the surface, but no matter what, the water is never exactly same—it moves in a cycle, and is beautiful in every phase.

Throughout the upcoming week, my hope for you is that you will choose to ground yourself in resilience, open-mindedness, flexibility, trusting in this community and opportunity. Let’s jump right in and work through the Changing Tides together!

HOBY Hugs,
Mallory Orr
2026 WLC Chair
2009 California South and WLC Alumnus