Max unities communities and inspires individuals through the power of sport. An experienced entrepreneur, leadership coach, and amateur endurance athlete, he founded I LOVE RUNNING in his native Russia, developing the potential of his fellow citizens through active and healthy lifestyles. His vision is to build a better Russia by breaking down traditional barriers, and creating a new landscape of proactive community and business-oriented people. More than 100 000 people in Russia now participate, and the project has spread to 6 countries and 40 cities. Max uses this experience to build projects in the Ministries of Education and Health in Russia, and be an active member of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. Max believes in leading by example. Until a few years ago, he could not swim and did not run. Now, having learnt and trained, he became the first Russian to swim the Straits of Gibraltar and finished five IRONMAN triathlons, the most difficult one-day sporting event in the world. He was a finalist in the 2014 Ernst and Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” competition in Russia.