Story of Exit West

Co-founders, Benjamin Land and Robert Mittelman have built Exit West upon years of experience in entrepreneurship, international development and corporate event management.

Ben has a professional background in conference management and incentive travel; which made him well aware of the shortcomings of these initiatives.  “Party trips don’t provide true fulfillment and motivation; and Lego blocks are not an authentic way of developing leadership skills” Land said to Mittelman when they first met.

Rob has lived and worked through out Latin America consulting with international development agencies on topics ranging from micro-economic loan systems, to volunteer recruitment strategies.  Part of his Oxford MBA took Rob to the Andes of Peru where he developed strategies for international development agencies to harness the myriad resources of corporations - beyond traditional philanthropy.

While managing short-term volunteer construction projects in Israel and Fiji; Ben witnessed the authentic human interaction and development that his corporate clients were seeking, but could not synthesize in a conference room or luxury resort.  The “Aha! Moment” arrived:  Complementing this organic experience with effective coaching and facilitation would deliver transformational outcomes to the corporate sector.

Rob had resigned from leadership of a successful importing and distribution company to pursue his graduate studies; but then eschewed the traditional MBA job opportunities upon graduation - convinced that his business skills should contribute to a greater good.  Ben was leaving a successful career with World Vision Canada to scratch his entrepreneurial itch, when he ran into Rob.  

Today Exit West is a for-profit Social Purpose Business that sets aside up to 10% of its own profits for reinvestment into charitable NGO’s.  “Doing that aligns with who we are and where the Exit West vision came from,” says Land.