The American Express Leadership Academy at Thunderbird School of Global Management focuses on developing leaders in the social sector

American Express Leadership Academy at Thunderbird

June 2019

Thunderbird Campus — Phoenix, Arizona

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Since 2009, Thunderbird has joined forces with American Express to develop social sector leaders to effectively tackle the unique future challenges and opportunities those leaders face.

The five-day program takes emerging leaders from nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations program and provides practical opportunities to learn and build personal leadership skills while also building the organizational capacity in their organizations. 

Over 300 managers from 110 organizations have completed this program since the initial class in 2009.  

American Express Leadership Academy curriculum

The Academy at Thunderbird's curriculum focuses on preparing leaders by:

  • Building the personal, business and leadership skills needed to run a successful, future-thinking nonprofit organization
  • Delivering learning tailored to fit cultural nuances and different nonprofit niche needs, with the following core elements being consistent.
  • Blending personal leadership skills with business skills
  • Taking an assessment-based approach to education
  • Including one-on-one leadership coaching and formal follow-up activities

The program delivery is practical, highly interactive and immediately applicable to the workplace. Participants will:

  • Participate and learn via team exercises, case studies, class discussions and leadership style assessments 
  • Complete the Global Mindset Inventory assessment to measure, understand and develop their global mindset profile
  • Develop and refine an organizational project that creates future value
  • Work with their senior leadership to take the project to the next step in their organization

American Express Leadership Academy @ Thunderbird

Company Representation

Company Representation

  • National Audubon Society

    The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.

  • Project C.U.R.E.

    Project C.U.R.E. is the largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries around the world.

  • International Rescue Committee

    The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.

  • UNICEF

    UNICEF works across 190 countries and territories to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child.

  • CARE: Fighting Poverty & Hunger

    CARE is a global humanitarian organization providing disaster relief to areas in crisis, while providing long-term solutions to poverty around the world.

  • L'Arche | Relationship -- Transformation -- Sign

    L'Arche communities in the United States provide homes and workplaces where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together as peers.

  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a worldwide humanitarian aid organization that reaches 160 million people each year through its 190-member National Societies.

  • Feed My Starving Children

    Feed My Starving Children is a member of Global Impact’s charity alliance. Volunteers hand pack scientifically formulated meals for undernourished children, which are distributed to a network of 80+ partners in 60+ countries each.

  • Women for Women International

    In order to make lasting change, women need the skills and resources to build ... One Woman Can Change Anything, Many Women Can Change Everything.

  • World Wide Fund for Nature

    World Wildlife Fund - The leading organization in wildlife conservation and endangered species. Learn how you can help WWF make a difference.

Articles about Program

Articles about Program

The articles highlight specific companies from each year of the program.

This program is by invitation only. For your international non-profit or NGO to be considered for nomination, please contact:

Debisu Hyde
Program Director, American Express Leadership Academy at Thunderbird
debisu.hyde@thunderbird.asu.edu
+1 (602) 496-7046

American Express Leadership Academy

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