David R. Ibarra is an entrepreneur, speaker, leadership consultant, and author whose career spans the hospitality, automotive, software, and leadership consulting industries. He is the founder of eLeaderTech, IBG, David Ibarra Enterprises, Beyond Think and Grow Rich Institute, and owner of the Yes! Our Kids Can program. David is the author of Stop Drifting — Become the Switch Master of Your Own Thought^® and Live Ready^® — Beyond Think and Grow Rich.

Humble Beginnings

David's story began as the son of a Mexican immigrant father and a rural Utah mother. When his parents divorced, 2-year-old David and his 3-year-old brother were placed into foster care until they reconnected with their father as teenagers. At eighteen years of age, David started his career in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher. Ten years later, he became the youngest franchise owner of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant — a division of the Marriott Corporation.

Business Leader

David held several leadership positions for the Marriott Corporation and was the General Manager of a large automobile dealership. These experiences, from entry level to leadership, prepared him to form the Ibarra companies which include an insurance firm, brokerage firm, learning institute, and performance improvement software company. David is an accomplished public speaker, trainer, and success coach who is invited to deliver keynote addresses across the United States, as well as internationally. His program, Yes! Our Kids Can, also provides resources for parents to help their children learn success principles in the home. David received a U.S. Patent for his performance management software Executing the Standards^®. He is also the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Salt Lake Community College. Sir David R. Ibarra has received the title of Knight of Merit by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen.

Giving Back

David has participated in a variety of community and leadership positions, including an appointment by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. He has also served as a board member for the Salt Lake International Airport, Utah Private Industry Council, Central Region Council of the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the Utah New Vehicle Franchise Board, Latino Leaders Network, and Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Much of David’s personal charitable contributions are directed to the Ibarra Foundation, established in 2004 to make college possible for Latino students. Over 130 students have received full tuition scholarships from the Ibarra Foundation. For more than 30 years, David has been committed to “Time Tithing” — weekly mentoring sessions for people, from all walks of life, who bring their business ideas and concerns to him for advice.

"You have to give-give-give before you get-get-get"
-David R. Ibarra

Ibarra as a 19-year-old assistant manager at Farrell's.

The Ibarra Foundation has awarded over 130 scholarships.

The Power of Thought film, featuring Ibarra, wins the Ethos Film Festival.

H.R.H. Prince Rafael Andujar y Vilches bestows knighthood upon David R. Ibarra.