A Year of Partnership, Leadership and Building for the Future

In a world shaped by rising complexity, rapid technological change, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, societies and economies also stand before extraordinary new possibilities.

In her End of Year Letter, GFCC President and Founder Deborah L. Wince-Smith reflects on the network’s achievements in 2025 and commemorates the 15th anniversary of this global community of thought leaders. 

Click here to read the full letter.

Supported by the leadership of Mr. Chad Holliday and the GFCC Board—especially Vice-Chair Mr. Charles Kiefel AM—the GFCC continues advancing its mission to accelerate global prosperity through innovation-driven competitiveness.

Throughout 2025, the GFCC led and participated in initiatives across Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Romania, and the United States. 

A major milestone was the execution of Forging the Future: The Intersection of Health, AI and Tech, in Pittsburgh, co-hosted with the Council on Competitiveness, the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

This leadership event gathered over 300 leaders from 20 countries to explore health technologies, AI, advanced manufacturing, and place-making innovation.

The year also featured a study trip to Lisbon’s innovation ecosystem, hosted by the Catholic University of Portugal, offering firsthand insights into how academia, industry, and public stakeholders are shaping the city’s transformation.

These activities and more are highlighted in the President’s Letter.