Ernie Ross’s story begins in Guyana, where he grew up under a despotic dictatorship and learned resilience in the face of adversity. As a teenager, he risked arrest smuggling wheat flour and once narrowly escaped jail for simply buying bread — moments that taught him courage, empathy, and the power of human connection. Determined to build a life beyond survival, he left his homeland with nothing but hope and resolve.
Those early experiences shaped a lifelong belief: that meaning determines true value — in relationships, leadership, and the work we do. Guided by this philosophy, Ernie built an award-winning career in branding and innovation, founding Ross | ReThink and leading campaigns that transformed political landscapes, revived struggling businesses, and helped elevate the first female heads of state in the Caribbean.
Yet despite global recognition and over 500 industry awards, Ernie felt something was missing. That search for deeper purpose led him to establish ReThink, a philanthropic initiative focused on kindness and well-being, and to develop Intangience — a groundbreaking methodology exploring how intangible values like belonging, hope, and purpose shape connection and create lasting value. What began as a personal journey grew into a global framework, validated by the United Nations–established University for Peace, taught to thousands of leaders, and developed in collaboration with Harvard professors.
A storyteller at heart, Ernie’s approach is rooted in deep listening and empathy, always asking what matters most and how we can connect with authenticity and care. His daughter Lael-Anne inspired him to write his book as a legacy for her and her studies in human connection, and he continues to honor the influence of his family and mentors who shaped his path.
Today, Ernie divides his time between Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago, advancing purpose-driven initiatives grounded in kindness, happiness, and the conviction that meaning is the truest measure of value.