Buddy Teaster

Buddy is President & CEO at Soles4Souls, a not for profit global social enterprise creating opportunity through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. He is author of the 2018 book "Shoestrings" that tells the Soles4Souls story through people from around the world. From 2009-2012, he was President/COO of EBS Executive Business Services, a holding company that includes RTM Networks, StarKart and the NALA. • StarKart and NALA provide online and offline advertising to local businesses in the US and Canada. • RTM provides professional and personal development networks for university alumni and membership organizations. Prior to co-founding RTM, Buddy was the Young Presidents’ Organization Chief Network Officer. In that role from 2002-09, he focused on finding new and innovative ways to connect more than 20,000 business leaders from around the world to address business and personal issues. YPO is an education organization with more than 20,000 member CEOs in 100+ countries. Before returning to YPO for the third time, Mr. Teaster was President of ClickPatrol, an online advertising management company, which he and his partners sold in 2002. Previously, he was with Knowledge Builder, where he was co-founder and President/CEO. Before launching his entrepreneurial career in 1998, he spent the last three years of a seven-year stint at YPO as Executive Director and COO. Buddy graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Religious Studies and French from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia USA. He then earned a MA/MBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas USA. Buddy is a dedicated ultra runner focusing on 50k, 50 mile and 100 mile trail runs. Specialties: Not for profit, social enterprise, boards, footwear and apparel