Why sustainable development leaders need a mastermind group

What if the answers to our toughest sustainable development challenges are already in the room—hidden within the collective wisdom of the leaders driving change?

The era of heroic solo leadership is over. The world’s most urgent challenges—climate instability, rising inequalities, financial bottlenecks—demand not just knowledge, but collaborative intelligence—networked and adaptive leaders who are ready to rise to the demands of complex challenges.

As we enter the final stretch toward 2030, the stakes have never been higher. The financing gap to achieve the SDGs has ballooned to $4 trillion annually, while climate disruptions, debt crises, and geopolitical instabilities accelerate at an alarming pace.

No leader—no matter how experienced—can navigate this alone. That’s why the UN Mastermind Group exists: to convene visionary changemakers, equip them with systems-level insights, and harness collective intelligence for leadership that delivers real, lasting impact.

We are rapidly running out of time to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned, "We are rapidly approaching the point of no return for people and planet.

The 2024 SDG Progress Report highlights that we are off track on more than half of the targets. This means that achieving the 2030 Agenda requires a leadership transformation—one that shifts from isolated efforts to collaborative problem-solving.

A new model for leadership

The UN Mastermind Group is not another training programme. It is a space for high-trust, high-impact collaboration, where leaders from across the UN, governments, civil society, and business come together to:

• Share real challenges in a confidential, solutions-driven environment.
• Gain fresh perspectives from peers who have tackled similar crises.
• Test ideas, frameworks, and policies before implementing them.
• Break free from isolated decision-making and leverage collective intelligence.

The most successful leaders in history, from business to policymaking, have always relied on mastermind groups. Think of it as a leadership lab, where you gain insights from other top professionals navigating the same challenges you face.

What makes the UN Mastermind Group different?

1. A global brain trust

Leaders tackling the same urgent dilemmas as you—across climate action, sustainable finance, governance, and development.

“One of the best things about the Mastermind Group is that it brings together leaders from diverse backgrounds and organizations facing common challenges. The one thing that holds us together is our desire to create a better world. The Mastermind created a safe space for all of us to brainstorm together and co-design solutions that reflect multiple perspectives.” — Alice Ruhweza

2. A safe, high-trust space

A confidential environment to share your most pressing leadership challenges and receive trusted peer feedback.

“During those challenging days of the pandemic, the UN Mastermind became a lifeline—a space where we could share our struggles openly, without fear of judgment. The candid, solution-driven conversations provided objective counsel that is rarely found elsewhere, allowing us to navigate uncertainty with confidence.” – Michael Croft

3. Cross-sector insights that challenge your thinking

Leaders from UN agencies, governments, civil society, and the private sector come together to offer unexpected insights.

“The UN Mastermind Group provided a unique opportunity to engage with leaders across sectors, challenging my assumptions and broadening my perspective. Through deep discussions, I gained insights from peers in the private sector, civil society, and government that transformed the way I approach sustainable development leadership.” — Rosemary Kalapurakal

4. Real-time, actionable feedback

Your strategies, policies, and ideas are stress-tested by leaders who have been in your shoes.

“The UN Mastermind was an exciting and innovative initiative for sustainable development leaders to share knowledge and explore opportunities to build back better and accelerate progress toward the SDGs. It became a true leadership lab where we could test ideas, refine strategies, and leverage collective intelligence to address complex challenges in real-time.” — Aruna Gujara

5. A space to recharge and recalibrate leadership

Access cutting-edge leadership tools, from futures thinking to systems change methodologies, to break free from reactive problem-solving and drive long-term impact.

“The Mastermind Circle fosters a true sense of community and shared purpose. This recognition is not just an achievement, but a call to action—a reminder of our collective responsibility to drive positive change. The discussions helped me not only refine my leadership skills but also reconnect with the deeper purpose behind my work.” — Eve Crowley

Who should join?

You belong in the UN Mastermind Group if you are:

• A leader driving sustainable development initiatives and programmes.
• Driving country-level programming and 2030 Agenda implementation.
• Managing complex sustainable development challenges in climate, finance, governance, or peacebuilding.
• Seeking a trusted circle of global peers to elevate your leadership.

The leaders of the future are those who can think systemically, lead collectively, and act decisively. If this resonates, then the UN Mastermind Group is for you.

What you’ll gain

• Actionable leadership insights from top UN professionals.
• Peer coaching on real-world challenges.
• Frameworks for navigating uncertainty and leading systems change.
• A lasting network of changemakers who truly understand your work.

How to apply

Submit your motivation letter and CV to sustainable-development@unssc.org with the subject line "Application for the UN Mastermind Groups 2025." Deadline to apply is on 4 April 2025. The first session of the UN Mastermind Group will start on 9 May 2025.