Creative Learning International
President and co-founder, advancing leadership and the creative management of change.
A Special Tribute to Our Co-Founder
Dr. Desmond
Berghofer
1938 2025
This page is dedicated in honour of Dr. Desmond Berghofer, beloved husband of Dr. Gerri Schwartz and co-founder of the Visioneers International Network. It celebrates his life, his love and a legacy devoted to the service of humanity.
Co-founder of the
Visioneers International Network
A rare and extraordinary life
A Life of Service to Humanity
Dr. Desmond Berghofer was one of those rare and extraordinary individuals born to devote his life to the service of humanity.
As an educator, author and visionary leader, his life’s work was guided by an unwavering belief in the potential of the human spirit and the power of wisdom to shape a peaceful and sustainable future.
Over the course of his remarkable career—spanning education, government and global leadership—Desmond dedicated himself to nurturing a culture of ethical vision and creative learning.
Leadership in service
Turning higher purpose into living work.
International Foundation of Learning
Chairman, helping create conditions in which people and communities could flourish.
Institute for Ethical Leadership
Co-founder, bringing ethical vision to the challenges facing leaders and organizations.
Visioneers International Network
Co-founder of a global community illuminating human goodness, nobility and possibility.
Partners in life, love and vision
Desmond & Gerri
A Shared Vision
Made Real
At the heart of Desmond’s life was his beloved wife and partner, Visioneers co-founder Dr. Geraldine “Gerri” Schwartz.
Together, they transformed vision into living reality. For decades, they combined their gifts in education, leadership and creative change—building organizations devoted to helping people and communities align their work with higher purpose.
The Visioneers International Network is one expression of their extraordinary partnership: a global community of changemakers dedicated to advancing peace, sustainability and the flourishing of life on Earth.
The founding book
The Visioneers
A Courage Story About Belief in the Future
The Visioneers International Network was inspired by the ideas and vision explored in Desmond’s founding book, The Visioneers: A Courage Story About Belief in the Future.
First published in 1992, it is a timeless call to awaken human imagination and moral courage—and to recognize human goodness and nobility as forces capable of shaping the future.
Discover the bookDesmond’s final gift
The Book of
Prophetic Verses
Written in Desmond’s last days by a man who had spent his life in service to humanity.
The Book of Prophetic Verses imagines and describes what light in the world could be like.
Listen as Christopher Gaze—award-winning Visioneer, classical Shakespearean actor, and founder and Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach—gives his beautiful voice to Desmond’s words.
Produced by Mark Benson & Ignite Media
Enter the complete tribute →
Watch on YouTubeThe Book of Prophetic Verses↗
A legacy of human nobility
The courage to persevere.
The wisdom to guide.
The love to uplift.
Desmond made an exemplary contribution to the ongoing and positive development of a just, peaceful and sustainable world.
His life’s work is a testament to human nobility. Through his vision and service, Desmond Berghofer’s light continues to inspire generations to believe in the future—and to build it with compassion and courage.
A living legacy
Believe in the future—and help to build it.
May Desmond’s vision continue wherever people choose courage over resignation, nobility over division, and loving service over indifference.