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.

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.

Alisa has more than 15 years experience in delivering large, complex projects across non-profit, corporate, and startup verticals. Alisa initially developed a career in political risk advisory, ultimately becoming Head of Eurasia Forecasting at IHS (now S&P). She is a founder of tech startup axis.xyz (YC W22), a SaaS platform that visualizes networks of power. Alisa is in the process of becoming a certified WEO Change Agent, as part of her recent profound interest in the human condition and how we can accelerate the personal growth and spiritual development needed in the technological era.

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

Randall is the CEO and General Counsel of Ampley Heartstone, a non-bank lending commercial firm located in Bethesda, Maryland, that focuses on providing capital and strategic resources to businesses, as well as start-ups. He also serves as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Baltimore Law School. Prior to that, Mr. Nixon served in cabinet-level positions in the administration of Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland and as a staffer for Congressman Parren J. Mitchell. Randall and his wife own a 162 acre farm in Howard County with a 70 acre solar complex. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Randall has degrees from Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Indiana University Law School, and Harvard Business School.

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.

Jeffrey D. Sage is a highly effective business transformation professional with marque successes spanning the globe. The disciplines he has acquired and established (in-depth combination of IT and management consulting roles) achieve substantial financial results propelling businesses into higher levels of operational performance. His focus centers upon the coordination of actions amongst people in the organization and elimination of hidden human coordination waste deeply rooted in traditional company paradigms. These work practices not only apply to business programs, but also in leading, working within, and hands-on participation with small and large teams. Operational improvements in the range of 50-80% have been realized and are not beyond the realm of possibility in any area of business. He has had the opportunity to work/live/travel to 45 countries on 6 continents and has experienced a multitude of ethical and cultural norms.

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.