More than 500 students and educators from around the world gathered at the Chase Center on the Riverfront for the 2025 Limitless World Summit, a global celebration of student-driven entrepreneurship hosted by the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship. The Siegfried Group, LLP (Siegfried), a proud partner and co-sponsor of the event, played a central role in inspiring future leaders through its long-standing commitment to character-based leadership development.

This commitment to student development is supported by the Siegfried Youth Leadership Program® (SYLP). Based on the powerful idea of improving the lives of young people, SYLP provides leadership development opportunities for students in grades 8 through 12, as well as their teachers and mentors. Created and sponsored by The Siegfried Group, SYLP also partners closely with University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship and Horn Entrepreneurship, as well as Junior Achievement of Delaware.

Symbiotic synergy, exponential impact

The Limitless World Summit featured a dynamic lineup of workshops, pitch competitions, and keynote speakers designed to empower high school students with the tools, mindset, and connections to pursue meaningful impact. This event represents a strong symbiotic synergy with SYLP and its concepts, promising exponential impact for student attendees.

Brett Borbidge, Managing Director at Siegfried, led a standout session, inspired by the core tenets of SYLP: Courage, Grit, and Gratitude – Fueling the Future You Want.

Borbidge challenged attendees to think intentionally about their goals and how to pursue them with purpose and authenticity. “Courage isn’t just a feeling,” he shared, “it’s a choice to act – especially in the face of fear or uncertainty.” Through thoughtful dialogue, interactive exercises, and personal reflection, Borbidge inspired students to tap into their own growth mindset, define their character ethic, and dream beyond perceived limitations.

“Our work at Siegfried is about helping people transform into better individual leaders to exponentially improve their lives,” Borbidge said. “That starts with reflection, self-awareness, and bold action, and then sparks positive change in their lives and their communities.”

Students encouraged to embrace change, discomfort

Siegfried also supported another session, led by Johann Ducharme, Faculty Director of the Siegfried Fellows program and Associate Professor at the University of Delaware. The Siegfried Fellows is a highly selective, cohort-based, 10-month immersive program for student leaders.

In his session, Ducharme encouraged students to develop intellectual humility and cultivate character, offering practical strategies to lead change, embrace discomfort, and grow into thoughtful, value-driven leaders.

Amy Swain, graduate assistant for the Siegfried Fellows program, emphasized how the program helps students define what they will lead and how they will lead. “I thought I knew what leadership was,” she said. “It wasn’t until I joined this program that I truly understood it.”

The Limitless World Summit and Siegfried’s active participation highlight a shared mission: to inspire and equip the next generation of change-makers with the character, courage, and connections they need to create a better world.