An entrepreneur who dropped out from Yale and founded Helena, Henry Elkus

Henry Elkus is the founder and CEO of Helena, a non-profit organization that brings together some of the world’s most extraordinary people and works with them to realize ideas that address major global concerns and generate new inventions.

Henry grew raised in humble circumstances, but he never lost sight of the fact that some individuals are born wealthy and others are not. He dropped out of Yale University in his sophomore year to work on a project that brought together thinking and industry leaders to explore and then implement ideas that could lead to positive social change. In summary, Helena brings together leaders in technology and innovation, thought, the arts and entertainment, business, and other fields to discuss and overcome the world’s most pressing issues.

Helena’s previous and ongoing efforts have focused on climate change, global security, economic inequality, and advanced technology development. Helena’s “Factory in the Sky” Project aided in the development and building of the world’s first commercial carbon-capture factory, and its “Shield Project” sparked state and federal action to assist defend the North American electrical grid from dangers like solar storms and cyber-attacks.

Throughout the year and around the world, Helena works with a limited number of extraordinary leaders known as Helena Members. Four-Star Generals, artificial intelligence experts, Fortune 100 executives, Nobel Laureates, Academy Award Winners, CIA Directors, Academics, NGO Leaders, Olympic athletes, explorers, and more are among the participants.