He Found His Calling at GLS: GLS24_Fady’s Story

He Found His Calling at GLS. Now He’s Leading Globally: GLS24_Fady’s Story

For over two decades, Fady Eldeiry has been on a mission to help organizations and people thrive—powered by his passion for leadership, technology, and global impact. From his early days in Egypt to his current role as an IT consultant based in California, Fady’s leadership journey has taken him to more than 45 countries. But one thing has remained constant throughout: the annual rhythm of the Global Leadership Summit (GLS).

A First Encounter That Sparked a Lifelong Rhythm

Fady attended his first GLS in August 2001 at Willow Creek Community Church’s Lakeside Auditorium. At the time, he was navigating the early days of IT consulting, struggling to bridge the gap between technical expertise and leadership communication. That year’s Summit changed everything. “I learned how to speak the language of leaders, how to build relationships, and how to contextualize what I do,” Fady shares.

Since that moment, he hasn’t missed a single GLS in Chicago—and has attended additional Summits across Egypt, Jordan, Malawi, Germany, Dubai, and more. It quickly became the highlight of his year, and over time, a cornerstone of his personal and professional growth.

Leadership as a Calling, Not a Solo Journey

For Fady, leadership starts with calling—but calling, he emphasizes, is never about the individual. “When I feel that calling, it’s never about me—and it’s never something I can do alone,” he says. Instead, he views leadership as a shared pursuit, requiring collaboration with others whose purpose complements his own.

This worldview has shaped the way Fady works across diverse cultures and countries. Whether advising a startup or transforming systems for a global nonprofit, Fady leads with empathy, adaptability, and deep respect for cross-cultural communication. His work isn’t just about networks and software—it’s about people, purpose, and aligning vision with function.

From the Middle East to the Global Stage

As a key contributor to the GLS Middle East and Arabic-speaking world, Fady has seen firsthand how global leadership challenges differ—and overlap. With the Middle East often in the headlines, he believes leadership grounded in empathy and contextual understanding is more crucial than ever.

“If you learn how people communicate, how they lead, and how to understand their context—you’ll shape a different kind of world,” he explains. Through GLS, he’s helped bring that vision to life, equipping Arabic-speaking leaders and organizations with world-class leadership content contextualized to their communities.

IT, Purpose, and Loving What You Do

As an Information Technology Consultant, Fady is passionate about helping businesses rediscover their “why.” Whether redesigning workflows or restoring clarity to complex systems, his goal is to help people align their processes with their purpose—and be happy to go to work every day. It’s this mission that has taken him across 45 countries, always seeking to serve and support leadership excellence.

Encouragement for Fellow Leaders

Fady’s favorite scriptures—Ephesians 4:1–3 and Exodus 6:6—underscore his prayer for other leaders:

“That they may be inspired with a clear calling from God, to see the potential of redemption in each city they become connected with. Then, to persevere with focus and courage as the hard—but exciting—road to impact unfolds.”

Watch Fady’s GLS Impact Story

From IT to global influence, Fady’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when leaders follow their calling with intentionality and courage.

Watch his GLS video now and be inspired to step into your own leadership journey—wherever it may lead.

Confronting Injustice with Courage

At Ripples International, Mercy leads multiple impactful initiatives:

• A shelter for girls who are survivors of sexual violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and teenage pregnancy.
• A care home for abandoned babies under the age of three.
• Programs focused on education sponsorship, access to justice, drought response, climate action, and policy advocacy.

Her turning point came in 2010 when, disheartened by repeated failures of the justice system to protect young survivors, she was invited to attend GLS Nairobi. A talk on social justice at the Summit stirred something deep within her. It was a moment of awakening—“I think God began to speak to me at that time, that there is something I can do about it,” she shares.

With renewed purpose, Mercy mobilized her team to study Kenya’s legal framework and gather documentation on mishandled sexual abuse cases. This culminated in a constitutional lawsuit against the Kenyan police in 2011, demanding accountability for the failure to investigate crimes against girls. In 2013, a historic ruling declared that the failure constituted a violation of human rights—a landmark decision now referenced in international forums, including Geneva in 2017.

Why GLS Matters in the Fight for Justice

Since that first Summit, Mercy has never looked back. She has attended GLS every year and began hosting GLS in Meru County in 2016 to empower local leaders with the same inspiration and leadership development that transformed her own journey.

“As leaders, we often walk lonely roads. But GLS reminds me that I am not alone. Every year, I get re-energized, equipped, and motivated to keep going,” Mercy says. Her favorite speaker? Megan—whose powerful storytelling and vulnerability resonate deeply.

Through the Summit, Mercy has built leadership capacity within her organization, broadened her vision, and strengthened her voice in national and international advocacy. The ripple effect is undeniable: when a leader gets better, everyone wins.

An Invitation to Fellow Leaders

Mercy’s message is simple but profound: “We all face challenges, but GLS is where we find community, clarity, and courage. It’s where we grow.”

To leaders around the world—whether you’re in grassroots advocacy, church leadership, business, or government—Mercy’s story is a reminder that leadership can be the spark for justice and hope.

Watch her video now and discover how one Summit became the catalyst for a movement.