SIBF

Success is rarely achieved alone.

One of the greatest advantages a leader can have is access to a trusted network of peers who connect, support, and learn from one another.

At SIBF, we believe cultivating meaningful relationships create opportunities that would not happen otherwise.

Our members come from diverse industries, backgrounds, and regions around the world, united by a shared commitment to leadership, growth, and lifelong learning.

Through our programs and experiences, members and participants come together to exchange ideas, build lasting connections, and inspire one another to create meaningful impact.

SIBF Main Office Address Update!

SIBF is not moving, but our mailing address is changing. We will remain in the same offices, but all mail should now be sent to our updated address:

275 Interstate North Circle SE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30339

Please use this address for all future correspondence. Thank you for helping us keep our records and mail delivery up to date.

“Every major power in the world now stands at a critical inflection point.” — Erik Peterson

As the erosion of the long-standing “rules-based order” continues to reshape global dynamics, the need for fresh thinking, strategic alignment, and new approaches has never been more important. These themes set the tone for SIBF’s 2026 Washington Briefing, where members gathered in our nation’s capital for thoughtful discussions on the domestic and international policy issues shaping our future.

Over several meaningful days in Washington, D.C., participants heard perspectives from leaders across the political spectrum and experienced the unique access and candid dialogue that have made the Washington Briefing a long-standing SIBF tradition.

Attendees gathered on Capitol Hill in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building which featured insights from The Wall Street Journal Supreme Court reporter James Romoser, who discussed several of the important cases currently before the Court, the evolving dynamics of the Court, and the role of legal reporting in helping the public understand consequential judicial decisions.

Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) shared a powerful reminder that we do not have to choose between business success and family success, noting that supporting workers and families is essential to supporting strong economies.

Participants also heard from Representative Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), who spoke on healthcare, manufacturing, and the war in Iran, while expressing optimism that even in challenging times, “we can do an incredible amount of good.” He detailed the ways progress is still being made, even amid significant complexity.

Additional sessions explored some of the most pressing geopolitical and domestic issues facing our nation and the world today. Participants gained insight from Michael Tierney, Director at William & Mary Global Research Institute, on tracking China’s global influence; Amna Nawaz, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS NewsHour, on foreign policy conversations with world leaders and their implications for national security; Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, on the 2026 midterm elections; and experts from The Center for a New American Security (CNAS), an independent, bipartisan think tank on global flashpoints, including major international hotspots where U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, military strategy, and national security interests are deeply involved.

Thank you to all who joined us for another amazing Washington Briefing!

Special thanks to Suzanne and Randy Nuckolls (DC, ’83) for hosting SIBF participants and their decades of commitment to this program, as well as to Mallie and Stewart Dansby (AL, ’95) for their generous support through the Distinguished Speaker Series.

The SIBF Commitment to Leadership Excellence

At SIBF, our programs are the cornerstone of how members leverage the vast resources and connections of our network. Since our founding, SIBF has provided unparalleled, exclusive experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Whether through world-class speakers or immersive experiences, SIBF programs offer extraordinary opportunities for personal and professional growth.

These opportunities challenge perspectives, strengthen leadership capabilities, and foster relationships that extend far beyond any single event. Through this commitment, SIBF continues to empower its members to lead with confidence, purpose, and impact in an ever-evolving world.

SIBF members recently gathered with Jennifer Turner, President & CEO of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, for a special program on TPAC's transformative new development.

Jennifer shared the inspiration behind the project, its impact on Nashville's arts community, and how the new space will serve as a dynamic cultural hub for years to come.

Thank you to Jason Pharris (TN, ’20) for hosting us and to everyone who joined us for this inspiring conversation!

From the cobblestones of a UNESCO-listed Grand Place to a timely briefing at NATO, this year’s SIBF Fellows’ International Conference brought participants into the heart of Europe.

Across Brussels and Antwerp, fellows explored the legacy of René Magritte, gained rare insight into the diamond industry from a world-leading expert, and experienced iconic architecture, from Zaha Hadid’s Port House to the newly restored Corinthia Brussels, a Belle Époque landmark redefining modern luxury.
As always, the true highlight was the people.

“It is always the reconnection with SIBF friends and the establishment of new friendships.”

“The events are all curated so well—and when a great conversation happens along the way, it’s even better.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our exceptional local guides for bringing the experience to life!

This past weekend the SIBF Florida Membership hosted its inaugural sport fishing tournament in Fort Lauderdale. This is a milestone that reflects the real momentum building across our Florida chapter.

From Tampa Bay to South Florida, our members are engaged and the events calendar is growing. As we look forward to welcoming new members this year we are incredibly grateful to our existing membership who continue to show up and lead.

A special thank you to Beth Cahill (FL, '15) and and Ray Kelly (FL, ‘17) and the dedication of our Florida membership whose commitment are making this possible.

At the heart of SIBF is a community of leaders who generously contribute their time,expertise, and passion in service of a shared mission. Volunteers, across the boards, committees, and membership, play an essential role in shaping the direction of the organization, strengthening its programs, and sustaining the culture of collaboration that defines SIBF.

In 2025, 22% of the membership volunteered in some capacity. These volunteers made a profound impact through their dedication and leadership, advancing key initiatives and helping SIBF continue to grow as a vibrant, globally connected community committed to meaningful change.

Our deepest appreciation to every volunteer for their steadfast support of our purpose. Your dedication, generosity, and hard work create meaningful changes. Your involvement continues to strengthen and shape the future of SIBF.

When a neighbor mentioned a group called SIBF more than 15 years ago, it sounded like just another professional network. It wasn't. For Marion Smith (CA, ’09), Senior Executive and CFO of Securonix, that simple introduction would change the trajectory of his personal and professional life in ways he couldn't have anticipated at the time.

His career was already well underway when he joined SIBF over 15 years ago. Now spanning more than three decades of building and scaling companies, beginning with an internet search engine in California during the earliest days of the web, Marion has held just about every senior role a company can offer, from CEO, COO, and CFO to Head of Sales and Marketing. More recently, Marion has focused on driving profitable growth within private equity-backed software companies. Described as a "strong generalist," Marion can see a business from end to end and move the needle across disciplines. It's a rare skill, and it has been his edge from the beginning.

For all the professional miles logged, it is the human connections forged through SIBF that he returns to again and again when he reflects on what the membership has meant to him.

Over the years, Marion has facilitated new member programs as well as CELA and NALA leadership academies, because leadership is something he genuinely loves. The relationships that have grown out of those programs are among his most treasured. "I have had the great fortune to work with several leaders who have completed our leadership programs, many of whom I still speak with almost weekly," he says. "That is truly rewarding."

Then there is the travel. SIBF has taken him to places he never imagined he would go: Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, the UAE, Jordan, China, and beyond. Each trip, tied to an Annual Summit, New Member Program or Global Network Summit, brought more than a passport stamp. It brought the kind of awareness needed to access world-class minds in business and leadership that, as he puts it, he simply "cannot find anywhere else" in his personal or professional circles.

Marion's passion for building high-performing teams across the globe is matched only by his spirit of adventure, whether he is piloting a plane, racing a car, or riding a motorcycle. Spend a few minutes with him, and it becomes clear that what truly gives him a sense of purpose is mentoring others.

A key part of Marion’s desire to stay involved with SIBF is how thoughtfully the organization includes spouses in the experience. "It makes the group feel like one big family," he says. That feeling of family, of belonging to something larger than a professional organization, is at the heart of why he has stayed so deeply engaged over the years.

His advice to anyone on the fence about getting more involved?

"Participate, period. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow. All you have to do is sign up and actually participate."