The 2025 Staff Leadership Conference (SLC), held aboard the Norwegian Escape cruise ship from January 6-11, marked a historic milestone for Best Buddies International as international staff attended for the first time. Eight staff members from six countries joined the event, representing Brazil, Canada, the Philippines, Serbia, Turkey, and El Salvador.

This year’s SLC brought together leaders from across the globe for professional development, team-building, and to celebrate the success of the previous year. The event focused on enhancing leadership skills and preparing staff for another impactful year of advancing inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

“Attending the Staff Leadership Conference was a great experience. I had the opportunity to learn more about Best Buddies from other staff members in the United States and around the world. I gained valuable insights and practices that I would like to implement in my country. Additionally, meeting new staff members and learning from their experiences gave me confidence and a better understanding of the Best Buddies mission. I left feeling inspired, ready to work, and eager to continue connecting with new people. I am excited to start new projects where inclusivity is the main objective.” – Alexia Landaverde, El Salvador Program Manager.

As Best Buddies continues to expand its international reach, the connections made during SLC 2025 will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the organization and its mission of inclusion.