Our Co-Founders were each inspired in different ways.
Jonathan Kathrein was attacked by a great white shark at Stinson Beach, CA, in 1998. He was only 16 years old, but this experience influenced him profoundly. He realized that life is fragile and that he was very fortunate to be alive. He determined to believe in his ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others through helping them learn to set goals, treat people with respect, to believe in themselves and to live positive, happy lives.
Richard Hunter, a retired business executive, attended a worldwide Rotary Convention in Osaka in 2004. There he heard a speech by an Englishman, Colin Parry, who won Rotary's highest honor - the Rotary Award for World Understanding and Peace. This was previously won by President Jimmy Carter, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela. In his acceptance speech he told the audience how he and his wife, Wendy, had lost their 12 year old son to an IRA bomb in the town of Warrington, England. As a result of this tragedy, they decided to devote their lives to teaching young people how to build peace in the world. Their story was Richard's inspiration.
Jonathan and Richard met in Honolulu in July 2004 and shared their inspirations and ideas. Their conversations led to their partnership and the birth of Future Leaders for Peace.
