Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
What would make a successful Microsoft executive walk away from it all? In this powerful talk, John Wood shares how a life-changing trek through Nepal inspired him to launch Room to Read, a global movement that has opened over 40,000 libraries and impacted 30 million children. With candid stories, humor, and deep insight, he reveals what it really takes to scale impact—and how simple ideas, like delivering books by yak, can change the world.
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John’s mission didn’t stop with Room to Read. In this talk, he shares the next chapter: launching UGO, a nonprofit focused on providing university scholarships to talented young women in developing countries. With just $800 a year, UGO is flipping the script on global inequality—one scholar at a time. From emotional Zoom calls announcing scholarships to out-scaling Starbucks (seriously!), John’s journey shows what can happen when you combine data-driven ambition with unstoppable compassion.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, or someone searching for purpose, this talk is packed with actionable inspiration. Learn how a single moment—meeting a headmaster in Nepal—can spark a global movement. And find out how you can help 7,000+ girls go from poverty to power.
What would make a successful Microsoft executive walk away from it all? In this powerful talk, John Wood shares how a life-changing trek through Nepal inspired him to launch Room to Read, a global movement that has opened over 40,000 libraries and impacted 30 million children. With candid stories, humor, and deep insight, he reveals what it really takes to scale impact—and how simple ideas, like delivering books by yak, can change the world.
Please like, subscribe and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
John’s mission didn’t stop with Room to Read. In this talk, he shares the next chapter: launching UGO, a nonprofit focused on providing university scholarships to talented young women in developing countries. With just $800 a year, UGO is flipping the script on global inequality—one scholar at a time. From emotional Zoom calls announcing scholarships to out-scaling Starbucks (seriously!), John’s journey shows what can happen when you combine data-driven ambition with unstoppable compassion.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, or someone searching for purpose, this talk is packed with actionable inspiration. Learn how a single moment—meeting a headmaster in Nepal—can spark a global movement. And find out how you can help 7,000+ girls go from poverty to power.
