One of the Original Founding Members of the Young Entrepreneur Organization
Ted Leonsis is known as one of the country's premier businessmen and a pioneer in the Internet industry, holding numerous leadership positions at AOL in his 15-year tenure, including vice chairman and president. He is the owner of the NHL Washington Capitals, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and soon to be owner of the Washington Wizards; founder and chairman of Web 2.0 start-up SnagFilms; chairman and investor in Clearspring Technologies and Revolution Money; a film producer; a private-angel investor; an active board member; and a committed philanthropist. Along with Verne Harnish, Ted Leonsis is also one of the original founding members of the Young Entrepreneur Organization (now EO).
Leonsis is a film producer having conceptualized and produced "Nanking," a documentary film that tells the story of the Japanese invasion of Nanking, China, in the early days of World War II. "Nanking" made its world premiere at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it was awarded the Documentary Editing Award, and was released by THINKFilm in December 2007. The film aired on HBO and is available on DVD.
While at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, Leonsis coined the phrase "filmanthropy" to describe a new category of filmmaking that sheds light on important issues around the world and activates discussion as well as new volunteers and new funds to benefit a social cause. Leonsis is also the producer of "Kicking It," another example of filmanthropy, which debuted at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. "Kicking It" aired on ESPN and Netflix.
Leonsis is a committed philanthropist and is very involved with numerous charities, including Best Buddies, Hoop Dreams, See Forever Foundation, Venture Philanthropy Partners, YouthAIDS and others through the work of the Leonsis Foundation.
He once served as mayor of Orchid, Fla. Among his many honors, Leonsis has been named Washington's Businessman of the Year, a Washingtonian of the Year, one of the 20 most influential people in sports, one of America's most creative executives and a top 10 entrepreneur of the year. Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., and later, Lowell, Mass., he now lives in McLean, Va., and Vero Beach, Fla., with his wife and two children.
Every EOer in attendance at Nerve 2010 will receive a free copy of Leonsis’ latest book, The Business of Happiness, just released in February 2010!
