A Midsummer Review
Happy Thursday,
Whew! Summer ’25 has been busy in the best way possible. Please let me catch you up on what the Foundation’s been up to and what’s coming next.
On July 1, I had the absolute joy of hosting the Foundation’s annual Colloquium, where we explored the timely and wildly relevant theme: Human Intelligence in the Age of A.I. Our speakers opened both minds and hearts, reminding us that intelligence isn’t just what you know, it’s also how you connect, adapt, and grow. They challenged us to consider how our systems—and our very definition of intelligence—must evolve if we’re going to thrive alongside emerging technologies.
Our headliner, Luis Elizondo, brought it home with a bold call to action: that the Mensa Foundation should lean into the hard problems, get comfortable with uncertainty, and be fearless in both thought and action. That challenge lingered long after the final session closed.
Speaking of challenges…
Following the Colloquium, Trustee Di Edwards heeded that call by introducing something brand new from the Foundation: The Challenge. This in-person activation invited participants comprising both Mensa members and non-members to address real-world problems. Attendees were encouraged to think collaboratively, courageously, and out loud. It was fresh, bold, and inspiring. You read more about here, and I think you’ll be just as energized as we were.
People using their intelligence for good? Yes, please.
That spirit carried right into American Mensa’s Annual Gathering, where the Foundation showed up loud, proud, and ready to connect. Throughout the week, members approached my colleagues and me with thoughtful questions about our mission, our direction, and how they might get involved. Some dove into philosophical conversations about the very nature of intelligence by asking what it means, how it’s changing, and why it matters. The enthusiasm was real, and it confirmed what we already knew: the Foundation is making an impact, and people are paying attention.
We also had the honor of presenting the 2025 Mensa Foundation Prize to Dr. Fredrik Ullén, whose groundbreaking neuroscience research explores how intelligence develops through deep, focused music training. His work bridges science and art, and we’re proud to celebrate his brilliance.
While we had no Misster Mensa this year (cue the tears), our community still showed up. Huge thanks to Mark Glancey of Metropolitan Washington Mensa and Deb Stone of New Hampshire Mensa, who stepped up with challenge gifts that helped us raise nearly $40,000! To everyone who contributed: thank you. You’re helping unleash intelligence and build a more neuro-inclusive world.
Upon returning from the Colloquium and AG, we received some exciting news. The Mensa Research Journal just received its first-ever APEX Grand Award for Publication Excellence. This is the top prize in a competition that evaluates more than a thousand entries annually from communications professionals across the globe. The MRJ has received Awards of Excellence in previous years, but this Grand Award marks a new milestone. It’s a powerful recognition of the MRJ team’s outstanding work—especially Jeff Papa, Editor in Chief; Dr. Ryan Donlan, Chair, Editorial Advisory Board; and Hillary Moore, Art Director,, and Dr. Ryan Donlan, Chair of Advisory Board. Their leadership, creativity, and editorial excellence help us advance our mission of rethinking intelligence and sharing leading-edge research with the world.
To wrap it all up, I met with our Foundation staff and American Mensa leadership, including newly appointed Chair Jon Gruebele and recently hired CEO/ED Tamesha Logan, who are already radiating vision and heart for a meaningful strategy session. We explored how our organizations can align more deeply to serve an even brighter future. Please stay tuned; the possibilities are exciting!
In the July edition of Insights, you’ll hear from:
- Aaron Poynton, reflecting on his experience as a 2025 Colloquium speaker.
- Dr. Russell Warne, concluding his three-part series on rethinking psychological assessment.
- Connie Swofford, a non-member contributor offering a thoughtful outside perspective on the conversation we’re building.
Thank you for being part of this brilliant community. Here’s to staying curious, thinking boldly, and using our intelligence for good.
Cheers!
Nguyen is a mission-driven leader focused on humanizing the Mensa Foundation and rethinking how intelligence can serve people and communities. Since joining the Foundation’s board and progressing from Trustee to Secretary to President, he has helped shape a more inclusive and purpose-centered vision for its future. With a background in nonprofit strategy and over $4 million raised for charitable causes, Nguyen is committed to making the Foundation more accessible, empathetic, and impactful for all.
Love the energy and enthusiasm in this update! It will be very interesting to see how Mensa can become more a part of our communities moving forward. Thank you so much!