The WPO, an organization that brings together more than 8,000 executives over the age of 50, is a continuation of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a group open to company presidents, CEOs, managing directors, and chairpersons under the age of 45. The YPO was founded in 1950 to improve leadership through continued education and an exchange of ideas, and there are now 400 chapters of the organization in more than 125 countries.
In 1970, former YPO members established the WPO as a graduate organization for older company leaders. WPO members have access to the same networking events as members of the YPO, and they serve as mentors for business leaders in the younger organization. The combined membership of the YPO and WPO is more than 21,000.