Sean Fitzpatrick on leadership, legacy, and the power of sport

sport as a catalyst for change

Laureus World Sports Academy was founded 25 years ago with the vision that sport can be a powerful force for social good. Its founding patron, Nelson Mandela, inspired the mission with his famous words: “Sport has the power to change the world.”
Sean recalls how this message shaped the organization’s purpose, encouraging athletes to use their platform to inspire the next generation. What began as an annual awards ceremony celebrating sporting excellence has grown into a global foundation that channels the energy of sport into positive community action.
“Sport speaks a language the youth understand,” Sean says. “It teaches respect, discipline, and hope.”

mandela’s legacy and the moment that changed sport

As captain of the All Blacks, Sean led the first New Zealand team to South Africa after the end of apartheid in 1992. Three years later, he witnessed one of the most iconic moments in sports history—the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park—when Mandela, wearing a Springbok jersey, stepped onto the field to unite a divided nation.
“That moment,” Sean recalls, “showed how one man and one game could heal a country. It changed how I viewed leadership and humanity.”

stories that inspire: from favelas to Olympic podiums

At the heart of Laureus is storytelling—real examples of lives transformed through sport. Sean shares the story of a young boy from the favelas of Rio who escaped gang life through the Fight for Peace program and went on to become an Olympic gold medalist. (The athlete he refers to is Wanderson de Oliveira, the Brazilian boxer)
“These are the stories that remind us what’s possible when children are given opportunity,” Sean says. “Sport can open a door that changes everything.”

grassroots transformation and corporate responsibility

The Sport for Good foundation funds grassroots programs that help vulnerable children build confidence, discipline, and life skills. Each project undergoes a rigorous review for safety, sustainability, and measurable impact.
Corporations, Sean emphasizes, can play a far greater role than writing cheques—they can lend their technology, networks, and expertise to strengthen these initiatives. Infosys BPM’s own purpose-driven approach to transformation mirrors this philosophy: combining empathy, innovation, and digital capability to create lasting social value.

technology as an enabler of impact

With partners such as Salesforce, Laureus uses data and analytics to track performance, assess outcomes, and ensure transparency. Technology, Sean notes, helps projects evolve intelligently—without losing the human connection that defines their success.

“The world keeps changing, and technology helps us adapt,” he says. “But at the heart of every project is still a simple goal—helping a child feel seen, supported, and valued.”

leadership lessons from the field

Reflecting on his time as captain, Sean draws parallels between athletic and corporate leadership. His principles:

• Be authentic: Lead as yourself, not as someone else.
• Keep learning: Strive to improve a little every day.
• Stay humble: Integrity and respect matter more than titles.

“You can’t fake leadership,” Sean says. “People will always follow passion, honesty, and purpose.”

the unifying power of sport

Despite today’s divisions, Sean believes that sport remains humanity’s most effective unifier. It brings together people of different backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs—proving that teamwork can transcend boundaries.
“For 25 years, Laureus has shown that sport works,” Sean notes. “It heals, it teaches, and it unites.”

closing thoughts

Sean Fitzpatrick’s journey—from lifting the Rugby World Cup to championing sport as a tool for good—underscores a timeless truth: real leadership serves others.

Like Laureus, Infosys BPM believes in harnessing the potential of people, guided by technology and purpose, to create meaningful, measurable impact. Whether on the field or in business, success is built on resilience, teamwork, and the will to make a difference.

about the speakers

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy
Sean Fitzpatrick(born 4 June 1963, Auckland, New Zealand) is a rugby legend, having played 92 rugby test matches for the All Blacks from 1986-1997, captaining 51 of them. Known for his mobility, strength, and tactical skill, he led New Zealand to landmark wins including the 1993 British & Irish Lions series and the 1996 series triumph in South Africa. He played 63 consecutive tests, was part of the 1987 World Cup win, and left a legacy. Post-rugby, Fitzpatrick serves as Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which he joined in 2000; he is the chairman since May 2016. He is a respected rugby analyst, and remains actively engaged in player development and motivational speaking.

Hari Ram, Finance Transformation Leader – Infosys BPM
Hari Ram, the Finance Transformation Lead at Infosys BPM, collaborates closely with CFO's organizations to drive and achieve their Finance agenda encompassing technology and business processes. As part of our exploration into AI's applications across various domains, Hari is engaging with industry leaders to grasp the implications of AI and identify crucial insights and potential considerations. Stay tuned for valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of AI and its significance. #FinanceTransformation #AI #InfosysBPM.