Dazzling in Deutschland – Highlights from the Mensa 2025 IBD Meeting
Wie geht’s? How are you? Earlier this month, I had the honor of representing the Mensa Foundation at the Mensa 2025 International Board of Directors (IBD) Meeting, the annual convening of leaders and members from national Mensa organizations across the Mensa International network. Over a crisp, late-October weekend in Düsseldorf, Germany, nearly 500 attendees representing almost 50 National Mensas met to exchange insights on intelligence, giftedness, and neurodiversity, and to celebrate together as only Mensans can.
Sharing Our Story and Our Impact
A highlight for me was delivering “Mensa Foundation: Update and Opportunities for Global Collaboration,” my formal address to the official delegates of the IBD. I shared updates on our flagship Scholarship Program and our recently inaugurated Mensa Foundation Challenge, and I provided a preview of what’s coming in 2026 and beyond.
As the first and largest charitable organization within the Mensa ecosystem, the Mensa Foundation leads with transparency, rigor, and inclusivity. Our decision-making is grounded in data, particularly from our Study of Unmet Needs Among Highly Intelligent Individuals, commissioned through the College of William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education in 2024. This research continues to shape our priorities and programming as we work to serve gifted and neurodivergent people worldwide.
Rekindling International Connections
Returning to the IBD this year felt like a homecoming. It was wonderful to reconnect with leaders from across the world, from seasoned Mensa veterans to first-time representatives, including delegates from Mensa Macedonia, who made their IBD meeting debut. These moments underscored how vital it is for the Foundation to show up, not only to report on our work but also to affirm that the Mensa Foundation is here, active, and committed to global partnership.
Throughout the weekend, I received genuine enthusiasm for what we are building together, from our Speaker Series to our research collaborations. Delegates appreciated hearing directly from us and seeing the Foundation’s continued evolution and energy.
Looking Ahead
The IBD meeting also reinforced an exciting reality: more Mensa-related charitable foundations are taking root around the world. Each shares the goal of advancing intelligence for the benefit of humanity. This growing network offers a significant opportunity for connection and collective impact. As the longest-standing foundation in the Mensa family, the Mensa Foundation is well positioned to foster that international cooperation by sharing practices, amplifying innovation, and keeping our work inclusive and ethical.
Gratitude and Next Steps
A heartfelt Dankeschön to the organizing committee, volunteers, and attendees who made the 2025 IBD meeting a success. Special thanks to our international colleagues for their encouragement and to Mensa International leadership for their ongoing support.
As we look toward 2026, we invite all who share our mission to help unleash intelligence for the benefit of humanity by contributing time, talent, and/or treasure. Together, we will continue building a neuroinclusive world where gifted and neurodivergent people not only thrive but also dazzle.
Bis zum nächsten Mal – Until next time,
Nguyen Pham (he/him)
President, Mensa Foundation
Mr. Mensa 2011
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