Bodacious in Bucharest
Bună! Hello! I’m delighted to share some exciting news from Bucharest, Romania, where Mensa International approved a landmark sponsorship that will make the Mensa Foundation Speaker Series free and accessible worldwide beginning with its 2027–2028 season. We also made history by bringing together leaders of Mensa-affiliated philanthropic organizations for the first time, opening new doors for international collaboration.
These developments were among the highlights of a scintillating gathering in “The Land of Count Dracula,” where over 600 Mensa leaders and members representing 90+ countries convened in early October to confront issues facing the gifted community and celebrate 80 years of Mensa International. Happy 80th Birthday, Mensa! You don’t look a day over 42.
(Re)United in Leadership
The 2026 IBD Meeting marked my third consecutive year at the helm of the Mensa Foundation, and returning felt like a global family reunion. I commingled with our dear sibling organization, American Mensa, and with the Mensa Foundation’s other long-established friends, such as Mensa Germany, British Mensa, Japan Mensa, and Mensa Brasil, to name just a few. Special congratulations to Mensa Peru on its debut as an official IBD Delegate!
Our hosts, Mensa Romania, pulled out all the stops, from engaging speaker sessions and social outings to the iconic Gala Dinner at the immaculate InterContinental Athénée Palace. Intelligence, kinship, and joy greeted Mensans and guests at every turn. Mulțumesc! Thank you!
Global Support for Global Benefit
In a glorious moment of interorganizational solidarity, Mensa’s IBD Delegates passed a landmark motion for Mensa International to sponsor the Mensa Foundation’s 2027–2028 Speaker Series season.
Launched in 2024, our online Speaker Series has brought researchers and curious minds together to explore intelligence and giftedness through interactive lectures. Thanks to Mensa International’s generosity, the upcoming season will feature monthly programs, more competitive honoraria for leading experts, AND free access for anyone in the world with an internet connection.
This grant represents an exciting investment in intellectual discovery, removing financial barriers and opening the door for more people to engage with research and new perspectives on intelligence.
Sincerest thanks to Mensa’s IBD Delegates for supporting this important expansion of our educational mission! Read more about the grant and the expansion of the Speaker Series.
History in the Making
Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation is the world’s first and largest philanthropic organization linked to the Mensa universe, but we are by no means the only one. Mensa Fonds formed in the Netherlands in 2013, followed by the Nordic Mensa Fund in 2020, uniting philanthropic efforts across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
With Mensa-affiliated charitable organizations emerging around the world, Bucharest presented an opportune moment to bring their leaders together. And we made it happen!
Leaders from the Mensa Foundation, Mensa Fonds, Nordic Mensa Fund, and Mensa Korea gathered in person for the first time to discuss our organizations and future possibilities. What began as a casual chat at a café continued with a panel discussion before a warm and curious Mensa World Gathering audience.
This historic first opens the door to greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing among organizations working to advance philanthropy throughout the Mensa community. And it surely will not be the last!
Gratitude and Next Steps
Another hearty Mulțumesc! to the Romanian organizing team for a top-notch gathering and to all attendees for reminding us of the beauty, brilliance, and bodaciousness that exists throughout the world.
With 2027 on the horizon, we invite everyone to lean further into the Mensa Foundation’s mission to unleash intelligence for the benefit of humanity. Whether through your time, talent, and/or treasure, please join us as we broaden our understanding of intelligence and create opportunities for people around the world to realize their potential.
La revedere – Until we see each other again,
Nguyen Pham (he/him)
President, Mensa Foundation
Mr. Mensa 2011
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