HOBY was founded by Hugh O’Brian in 1958 as a nonprofit organization with the same mission we work toward today–to inspire a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation. For ten years, our flagship leadership seminars only took place in Los Angeles for sophomores from California. HOBY’s success led to an outstanding expansion in 1968 with the first-ever World Leadership Congress (formerly known as the International Leadership Seminar).

By 1977 Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island joined California in conducting State Leadership Seminars. By 1986, the HOBY Alumni Association initiated Community Leadership Workshops. HOBY attendees represented 51 percent of U.S. high schools and HOBY volunteers numbered 2,500 by 1988.

HOBY celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 1998 by launching a new initiative, Leadership for Service (L4S). L4S challenges all HOBY ambassadors to commit to 100 hours of community service in the year following their seminar. Since its inception, over 5,000,000 L4S hours have been logged, resulting in $149,483,504 in economic impact. Hugh’s belief in the potential of every human being and his commitment to empowering youth leaders is his legacy. Today more than 500,000 HOBY alumni around the world are making a difference in the lives of others, thanks to the vision and passion of Hugh O’Brian.