About Us

Our mission is to put ethics at the heart of our world, bringing the ethics narrative into the mainstream of global discourse. 

Now more than ever, it’s important to have ethics as the foundation of human endeavor. Many of the major challenges facing humanity will be so much easier to address if we all work together from shared values.

The WEO raises awareness, educates, and leads the ethics narrative. We are building a network and ecosystem in which ethical actions can thrive and support human flourishing.

The WEO is a religiously and politically neutral organization, and offers a platform for  a diversity of voices.

Board of Directors

People are seeking greater freedom, meaning and growth in their professional and personal lives. Because the source of freedom, meaning and growth is poorly understood, these are often difficult to achieve and maintain. For this reason, in 2004, Richard Messing embarked on a research project culminating in The Ethic of Human Repair, a paradigm that describes, explains and solves chronic human problems where freedom, meaning and growth pertain. Richard is a published writer, invited conference speaker and thought leader on the human condition in general; free will and ethics in particular. In 2019, Richard formed Kotel® Group LLC, an ethics-based consulting firm, to rehabilitate and transform underperforming business and private clients that resist conventional methods and interventions. In 2021, he organized the ethics-based Kotel Business Community. In 2022, he founded the World Ethics Organization Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit.

With over five decades of business experience, Joseph Willmott is a seasoned leader and entrepreneur who has built and managed successful companies in various industries, from manufacturing to health protection, from agriculture to high tech. He is currently the CEO of the World Referral Network, a global platform that fosters business-to-business networking, collaboration, and ethical practices. He is also a business consultant who helps organizations with strategic planning and growth.

Throughout his career, Mr. Willmott has demonstrated an ability to identify, commercialize, and finance new technologies and products that meet the needs of different markets and customers. He has generated millions of dollars in new revenue and expanded his businesses across Canada and the United States. He has also leveraged his knowledge and influence to advance the fields of animal health, agricultural science, and software as a service. In addition, he has shared his insights and experiences as a guest lecturer and keynote speaker at various events and institutions.

Over the last 15 years, Daria has engineered high-performing teams in Tech for medium-sized international companies, with a unique focus on managing successful transformation projects in hybrid and remote work settings. Today, Daria specializes in leadership development and team effectiveness for remote and hybrid teams, empowering organizations to navigate through significant transformations and drive business growth. With 15+ years of international executive experience, Daria has partnered with C-Suite Executives, leaders from Fortune 500 companies, and fast-growing startups to drive meaningful growth and change.

A leading authority on future ready leadership, organization creativity and arts-based experiential learning, Harvey founded Creating Futures that Work in 2019.  The Art of Science Learning, founded by Harvey in 2010, is a National Science Foundation-funded research center that uses art to spark innovation in science, technology, education and healthcare. Harvey is a classically trained musician and was the leading executive of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Magic Theatre of San Francisco. Harvey’s book, Leadership Ensemble, is translated into nine languages.  Harvey participated in the White House Global Cultural Initiative and has been a Fellow of the Royal Society for Art since 2005.  

Attorney, consultant, networking concierge/super connector who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has rich experience in domestic & international settings. Demonstrated flexibility to identify and leverage opportunities, solve problems, and operate in an unfamiliar culture. Successful track record of utilizing analytical, business development, client management, and legal abilities to advise and guide businesses. Master Networker. During a mid-career break, Randi went to China, founded a consulting company, and became a partner in and refocused mission of another consulting company. Ultimately, a career break became a decade long adventure in China. Randi’s many years as an attorney plus time in China prepared her to become the OpportunityPreneur: applying virtual networking to attract great business opportunities.

Anthony Calleo has over 20 years of experience spanning global brands like Disney, high-growth startups, financial services, and emerging alternative industries. He designs and implements Employee Experience (EX) strategies that strengthen culture, accelerate growth, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Paul Zarowin is a Professor of Accounting at the Stern School of Business, New York University. Professor Zarowin earned his B.A. in History from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977, and his M.B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1981 and 1985. He has won numerous research awards, including the New York University Presidential Fellowship, the Peat Marwick National Research Fellowship, and the Glucksman Institute Fellowship. Professor Zarowin’s research focuses on the relation between stock market prices and financial accounting data. He has studied how and why this relation varies over time and across firms, and how factors such as firms, regulators, and the economic environment affect the relation. Professor Zarowin’s recent work deals with the extent to which stock prices reflect firms’ future prospects, and how this is affected by firm’s disclosures, accounting choices, and regulations.

Advisory Board

Shawn Bearman is a Master Certified Business Coach known for transforming how entrepreneurs think, operate, and execute. With decades of real-world experience building companies and coaching high-performing leaders, she blends strategic insight with practical systems to help business owners create clarity, eliminate overwhelm, and take consistent action that drives results. Shawn is the creator of the Ultimate Follow-Up Formula and a go-to expert inside the World Referral Network, where she guides members in navigating tools, maximizing opportunities, and turning ideas into income. Her coaching is direct, compassionate, and unapologetically focused on action—empowering clients to develop structure, build confidence, and execute with precision.

Serial tech entrepreneur and media artist with a deep passion and domain expertise in interdisciplinary innovation, generative design, creative tech, engagement, engagement analysis, data science, and emerging technologies.  Omer is an associate member of Leonardo, the International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology (Leonardo/ISAST), and an established forerunner in the intersection of physical interaction design, retail, and AI/ML.

As a new media artist his work in new media art has garnered recognition for pushing the boundaries of creative expression. His personal journey, marked by a profound experience with trauma, became the catalyst for his creation of MyWhatif — an AI platform dedicated to mental health and personal growth. Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Omer currently lives and works in NJ/NYC together with his wife and partner Tal, puppy Bri, and their two kids Zoe Frank and El Zappa.

Garrett Lang, a visionary CTO/CPO, founded the Free Thinker Institute, an innovative non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their best selves, seek truth, and embrace fairness. His journey in creating impactful organizations began early in life, ultimately leading to the inception of PlateRate, an award-winning food-tech startup. A philosophy hobbyist, Garrett’s writings focus on ethical living, advocating for fairness and aiding others collaboratively in achieving common goals. His diverse experience spans from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Known for his exceptional problem-solving skills, Garrett is committed to addressing humanity’s challenges, believing no issue is too complex to tackle.

As a Master Certified Insight Coach with two decades shaping stories and digital strategies, Vicky Smith guides entrepreneurs and professionals through uncertainty, helping them reconnect with what truly matters and choose their own path instead of conforming. Her work blends curiosity, clarity, and courageous action so clients can hear their own wisdom, make aligned decisions, and experience transformation from the inside out. She views creativity as the ability to see differently, generate new possibilities, and solve problems with intention. Clients often describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more confident as they step into independence—an outcome supported by research showing that coaching increases self-confidence for 80% of people and improves performance, relationships, and communication for over 70%.

Jean- Pierre Puchulu thrives in the world of startups, drawn to founders’ purpose, energy, and the relentless determination behind their ideas. At Benchmark, he and his team support entrepreneurs seeking CFO and accounting solutions, guiding strategic financial decisions and steering them through the landmines of early-stage growth. Previously, as the founder of a mortgage brokering business, he built a referral network of 35 active members—an experience that proved the power of coordinated expertise and inspired him to create GrowthCraft. Today, the GrowthCraft Startup Community connects founders with advisors and startup-focused service providers to help shape purpose-driven companies that grow, scale, and thrive. Whether helping early-stage founders get market- and investor-ready or supporting post-launch startups through workshops, live events, mastermind groups, and collaborative advisory support, he is committed to helping innovators build companies that make a meaningful impact.