CHARLOTTE, N.C., USA — BNI, the world’s largest and most successful business networking organization, today announced the appointment of Mary Kennedy Thompson as its new CEO, effective July 8, 2024. Thompson will also lead BNI’s affiliates, CorporateConnections® and Scion Social, positioning her at the helm of a rapidly expanding global network.
Graham Weihmiller, BNI’s current Chairman & CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for Thompson’s leadership, noting her alignment with BNI’s core values and her extensive experience in supporting entrepreneurs and business owners. “I’ve known Mary for more than 10 years. She’s such a terrific leader, so aligned with BNI’s Core Values, and so exceptionally experienced in supporting entrepreneurs and business owners. She also brings a global life experience to BNI,” Weihmiller said. “This is an incredible opportunity for BNI. And the future is bright for BNI Members and Directors worldwide.”
Thompson, who comes from a robust background as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Neighborly®, has over 30 years of experience in franchising, business development, and leadership. During her tenure at Neighborly, the world’s largest home services company, she played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s global footprint across six countries and overseeing the operations of 30 brands and 5,500 franchises.
Thrilled about her new role, Thompson remarked, “I’m thrilled to join the BNI team. I’ve known of BNI for 29 years and have long encouraged business owners through the years to join BNI Chapters for the value it brings to its Members. I was actually a BNI Member back in 1995 when I was a franchise owner, so this is a full circle moment for me. I’ve gotten to know BNI even better through this process, and I’m excited to learn even more as I build relationships with leaders throughout the organization. I’m honored to be stepping into the CEO role of this impressive and impactful organization, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together.”
Under Thompson’s leadership, BNI aims to continue its impressive growth trajectory. In the past year alone, BNI’s 320,000+ members have generated over $23 billion USD in revenue from 15.7 million new client referrals, significantly impacting economic development and job creation globally. As Weihmiller transitions to the role of Executive Chairman on July 8th, he will focus on strategic initiatives designed to provide transformative opportunities for BNI’s members and directors.
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About BNI®:
Founded in 1985, BNI (Business Network International) operates over 11,000 chapters worldwide, facilitating weekly meetings in person, online, or in a hybrid format across 76 countries. With over 320,000 member-businesses, BNI has generated more than $190 billion USD in revenue for its members since its inception. Centered around the philosophy of Givers Gain®, BNI continues to change the way the world does business by fostering a culture of structured and supportive business networking.
