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From Soundwaves to Global Impact: Meet Walt Stinson, GlobalMindED Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Technology
Today, we celebrate Walt Stinson, Co-Founder and CEO of ListenUp, and the GlobalMindED Exceptional Leader Award winner in Technology. Stinson has spent over 50 years building a legacy of innovation in the consumer electronics and home entertainment industry, shaping the way people experience music, film, and technology in their homes. He is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, co-Founder of the UN Initiative, Human Security for All (HS4A) and was the winner of the CES (Computer Electronics Show) prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
You can meet Walt Stinson in person at the Exceptional Leader Awards Dinner on June 16, where we congratulate Walt and fourteen of his colleagues across industries who will also be honored that evening.
What is your personal story? How did you find your purpose and your passion?
I became obsessed with technology after listening to mysterious shortwave radio signals at the age of 10. I’ve always been very entrepreneurial as well. I selected Denver from a dozen possible markets and founded ListenUp at age 24. By the mid-80s, in addition to running a chain of CE stores, I was responsible for the sound systems, live broadcasts, and recordings at more than 1000 shows featuring a who's who of rock 'n' roll, including more than a dozen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members. I was also investing in my industry and my personal development: practicing Zazen and seeking wisdom from older mentors. I co-founded PARA, an industry trade association, and spearheaded the introduction of digital audio in North America. That work ultimately resulted in my induction into the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame, Class of 2009, alongside Apple’s Steve Jobs and cellphone pioneer Irwin Jacobs. I recently stepped down as the Chairman of ProSource, a 500-company trade association with a focus on vocational education.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Who was instrumental on your path to success?
In 1985, I was organizing a management training conference and searching for a keynote speaker. I chose Garry Jacobs, co-author of The Vital Corporation, a leading business book at the time. That connection sparked an enduring collaboration. Garry later invited me to speak at a conference of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), where he would eventually become president.
In 2021, I collaborated with Garry to develop a proposal for the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), aiming to promote the concept of human security on a global scale. When the proposal was accepted, I joined the executive committee as managing director of what became the Human Security for All (HS4A) campaign.
Our launch took place at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)—the world’s largest and most influential tech event. For the first time in its 100-year history, CES adopted an official theme: Human Security for All, recognizing technologies that address key pillars of human well-being such as health, food, education, the environment, and personal security.
In 2023, I proposed that technology itself be recognized as the eighth pillar of human security. That vision was embraced, and in 2024, the UN Secretary-General’s Tech Envoy, Amandeep Gill, publicly acknowledged the essential role of technology in advancing global human security. Since then, the campaign has grown rapidly, with partners including the EarthX, the Global Futures Laboratory, and the Inter-parliamentary Union—uniting innovation and purpose across sectors.
What does inclusive leadership mean to you, and what would you like others to know and do as inclusive leaders?
It means envisioning the future that you want to emerge and helping to create the conditions for it to happen. It means recognizing the potential in people who don’t fit your preconceived notions. Mentorship is a crucial aspect of inclusive leadership, and it involves modeling the behavior you want to see in others. Becoming an inclusive leader is a challenging endeavor. It means devoting yourself to lifelong learning, holding yourself to very high standards, and accepting responsibility for everything you touch.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance and/or multiply your mission and goals?
WAAS is keenly aware of the importance of education in facilitating the conscious evolution of society and is researching new ways to expand access to quality education. My industry trade association, ProSource, provides a bridge to career-enhancing opportunities within the consumer electronics industry. My company, ListenUp, is actively seeking and building a diverse workforce. GlobalMindED is a touchstone for all these initiatives.
What legacy would you most like to leave the world?
I don’t underestimate the power contained in the smallest actions. I think that informal teaching and mentorship are the most powerful legacy builders. I’ve seen it happen. However, it can occur quietly without fanfare or accolades, and often I never even suspect I’ve had an impact until I’m told.
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