Academic Programs | Thunderbird

12/08/25

Lessons on maintaining your humanity in the world of AI technology

AI is not human. But it does a good job of acting like it.

It is capable of replicating how we speak, how we write and even how we solve problems.

So it’s easy to see why many consider it a threat, or at least a challenge, to our humanity.

That challenge is at the heart of a new book titled “AI and the Art of Being Human,” written by AI with the help of Jeff Abbott and Andrew Maynard. The book is described as a practical, optimistic and human-centric guide to navigating the age of artificial intelligence.

“Human qualities that will become more important as AI advances are qualities like curiosity, our capacity for wonder and awe, our ability to create value through relationships and … our capacity to love and be loved,” said Maynard, a scientist, writer and professor at Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society.

Here, Maynard and Abbott, a graduate of Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU and the founding partner of Blitzscaling Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in startups, discuss the ways that AI can challenge our individuality and how we can hold on to what makes us uniquely human.

Note: Answers have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Question: What was the inspiration behind “AI and the Art of Being Human?”

Maynard: For me, it was the growing realization that, for the first time, we have a technology that is capable of replicating what we think of as uniquely defining who we are, and that is forcing us to ask what makes us us in a world of AI. These are questions that my students and others are asking with increasing frequency — how do I hold onto what makes me who I am and thrive when everything around us is changing so fast.

Q: How does AI impede or infringe upon the ability to be human?

Abbott: AI has the potential to further reduce human interaction and, with it, the opportunity to exercise compassion. Compassion broadly defined means an action-oriented concern for others’ well-being, and it is much more easily activated where direct human contact is involved.

When building AI, we must widen our circle of concern to include those who are not present, represented or offered a voice in the process. Those who are adversely affected by our actions in building or using AI tools should be taken into account, and in the same way, someone causing environmental harm can now attempt to offset those impacts. Those causing unintended consequences when building AI should accept their share of responsibility and contribute to some form of mitigation, whether directly or indirectly.

Q: The idea of AI being a mirror is mentioned in the book. What does that mean and why is that a concern?

Maynard: Because artificial intelligence is increasingly capable of emulating the things that we think of as making us uniquely human — the way we speak, our thinking and reasoning, our ability to empathize and form relationships, and to solve problems and innovate — it’s becoming a metaphorical mirror that reflects not simply what we look like, but who we believe we are. Of course, AI isn’t aware or “human” as such. But it does an amazing job of feeling human. And because of this, it has the potential to reveal things about ourselves that we didn’t know. It also has the capacity to distort what we see, sometimes without us realizing it.

Q: As an antidote to AI’s threat to humanity, the book offers 21 tools that provide a practical business guide for thriving in an age of this powerful technology. Can you explain them?

Abbott: I’m a big believer in the power of tools based on my background in corporate strategy and entrepreneurship education … and I imagined a book that was at once deeply thoughtful and values-based, while also immensely practical, something like equal parts “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” “The Business Model Canvas” and daily guided meditation.

The intent map is one of the tools that illustrates this with four quadrants. It’s a thinking tool that makes values visible and choices conscious before the momentum of AI and the actions of others make choices for you. For example, the “values” quadrant addresses the question of what we refuse to compromise when using AI, and ... the “guardrails” quadrant asks where do we draw hard lines around what we will and will not compromise on.

The power here lies not in the quadrants, but in how someone uses the relationships between them to make decisions around AI in their life.

Q: What is the danger in over-relying on AI for not just our work, but even in other areas of our lives?

Maynard: We talk a lot about agentic AI at the moment — AI that has the “agency” to make decisions and complete tasks on its own, whether that’s managing your calendar and email inbox ... or making strategic organizational decisions. From the perspective of increasing efficiency and productivity, this sounds great. At the same time, we risk losing our own human agency as we give it away to AI — especially if we do it without thinking about the consequences. In the book, we develop and apply four postures that are designed to help avoid this: curiosity, clarity, intentionality and care.

Q: What human qualities do you think will become more important as AI advances?

Abbot: Self-reliance in the Emersonian sense, because Emerson’s self-reliance wasn’t merely about independence in the mundane sense, e.g. doing your own chores. It was a spiritual and intellectual manifesto about maintaining sovereignty of mind in the face of conformity, convenience and delegation to systems of thought outside oneself. In the age of AI, that idea isn’t nostalgic; it’s necessary and it’s urgent.

Q: What role did AI play in writing this book?

Maynard: Rather a lot! We agreed early on in the process that, given the urgency with which the book was needed, it made sense to use AI to accelerate the writing process. But we also realized that we needed to walk the walk and use the tools we were writing about. And so we developed a quite complex and sophisticated approach to working with AI to create the first draft of the book.

We talk a little about this process in the book, but the end result is a deeply human initiative that reflects what is possible while working with curiosity, clarity, intention and care with AI.

What I still find amazing is that, while we guided our AI “ghost writer” very intentionally, the stories in the book and the tools they help develop are all the products of AI. They were all seeded by us, and subsequently refined by us. But they are also a testament to what is possible through working creatively and iteratively with AI.

Q: What do you hope people will come away with after reading the book and will its contents be used by ASU students?

Maynard: I hope people will approach the book as a practical guide. Something that they bookmark and come back to and apply in their everyday lives. More importantly, I hope people come away realizing that AI isn’t something that simply happens to them but is something that can help them learn to thrive ... on their own terms and in their own way.

The hope, of course, is that the ideas and tools here are part of every student’s journey at ASU as we equip them to thrive in an AI future. The book is ... written in a way that lends itself to being integrated into curricula. In the AI world, we’re in the process of building. It’s the students who understand how to thrive without losing sight of who they are — who will be the catalysts for change. And achieving this at scale? Isn’t this part of what ASU is all about?

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12/01/25

The 50 Best Undergraduate Business School Professors Of 2025

Before he was a distinguished business school professor, Euvin Naidoo was a distinguished banker, holding senior leadership roles at two global pan-African banks. He was also a partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), co-leading Banking, Insurance, and Public Sector practices for the continent.

Three moments led him to the classroom. The first was in 2003, when Harvard’s Rosabeth Moss Kanter invited him to help write the case “Nelson Mandela: Change Leader,” connecting Mandela’s disciplined nation-building to the strategic dilemmas facing global executives.

The second came at Davos, when Oxford Saïd’s then dean Peter Tufano publicly announced the school’s first course on doing business in Africa. Immediately after walking off the stage, Tufano asked Naidoo: Can you build it? The course filled to capacity within days and had to be expanded several times

The third came during a day spent alone with Stephen Hawking, reading him the Mandela case and newspaper articles as Hawking prepared to meet Mandela himself. Surrounded that evening by Hawking, friends, and Nobel laureates, Naidoo saw with clarity that teaching leaders is fundamentally about cultivating humility, curiosity, and resilience.

“Teaching is a mutual learning journey. Students deepen your understanding just as much as you deepen theirs,” Naidoo tells Poets&Quants.

Naidoo was a senior lecturer for two years at his alma mater, Harvard Business School, where he pioneered and co-launched the school’s first Short Intensive Program (SIP) on agility. In 2021, he joined Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management as the Distinguished Professor of Practice in Global Accounting, Risk and Agility. He is now launching the Thunderbird Case Lab, an initiative designed to bring simulations, case writing, and immersive learning directly into the classroom.

As a business school professor, Naidoo is grateful for the moments when curiosity sparks something unexpected.

“When a single question shifts an entire discussion or when someone spots a pattern that others might miss,” he says. “I’m thankful for environments where ideas collide and different disciplines meet, where a scientist, an artist, and a strategist can approach the same challenge and reveal entirely new possibilities.”

PRESENTING P&Q’s BEST UNDERGRADUATE PROFESSORS

Naidoo is just one of several professors on our 2025 list of the 50 Best Undergraduate Business School Professors to forge a unique and inspiring path to management academia.

To curate the list, the editorial team at Poets&Quants individually evaluated more than 1,200 nominations from students, alumni, colleagues, and administrators describing the incredible impact each professor has had on classrooms, their departments, and business at large. Altogether, nearly 200 individual professors were nominated.

Each professor was assigned a 1-to-10 score based on research and teaching. For research (given a 30% weight), we considered the volume of a professor’s Google Scholar citations, major media attention, research and writing awards, and impact on industry and their fields of study. For teaching (70% weight), we considered all nominations, teaching awards and innovations, student impact and mentorship, and service to their departments, schools, and universities.

VARIED PATHS TO BUSINESS EDUCATION

The human cost of failed leadership ultimately led Mustafa Akben to Elon University’s Love School of Business. Completing Turkey’s mandatory military service, Akben met people the system had left behind, including adults who could not read or write.

The turning point came when a fellow soldier was ordered to guard the building where his own brother had died in a preventable workplace fire. It was a loss that “shocked me into responsibility,” says Akben, 37, assistant professor of management and Director of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration across Elon.

“I realized that a good manager in one company would have limited reach, yet might be mighty. I dreamed of doing more,” he says.

He became a business professor and scholar to teach “generations of students to inspire, motivate, and protect their teams, trust that they can make a positive difference, and help countless others become the best leaders they can be, honoring those lost and preventing the future malpractice of leadership.”

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11/12/25

ASU, state of Arizona launch initiative to power up the public workforce

Arizona’s public employees keep the state moving — maintaining infrastructure, supporting families and serving communities.

Through a new initiative from Arizona State University and the state of Arizona, these employees have the opportunity to strengthen key skills and apply them in service to their communities.

This statewide initiative brings together a broad portfolio of professional learning offerings developed by ASU’s schools and colleges — spanning business, data analytics and visualization, collaboration, leadership and more — to meet the evolving needs of Arizona’s workforce.

Participating ASU schools and colleges

The collaboration was created in response to employee engagement survey feedback that professional learning and development ranked among employees’ top priorities. Data also showed that employer-paid certifications are among the most valued workplace benefits, evidence that continued learning builds both satisfaction and performance in the workplace.

Due to its strong alignment with the needs of Arizona state employees, the program reached capacity just two weeks after launch. More than 1,000 employees expressed interest, and 600 have already enrolled. Additional enrollment will be offered as more space or funding becomes available.

In collaboration with their supervisors, employees were able to choose what fits their goals, such as a short course to sharpen computer application skills or a longer certificate that builds leadership, data and technology expertise. Every option is flexible, practical and available to eligible employees at no cost.

“Arizona’s state employees are the heart of public service. This partnership invests in them — helping our workforce strengthen its skills, stay adaptable and continue delivering the best possible service to the people of Arizona,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said. “The incredible demand for the program shows how much state employees value high-quality professional development and the opportunity to earn a credential, which will generate a strong return on investment for the state.”

Preparing Arizona’s workforce for the future

Across industries, work is being reshaped by new technologies, automation and artificial intelligence.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 "Future of Jobs Report," nearly 40% of job skills will change within the next five years, while more than 170 million new roles will emerge globally as others evolve or disappear.

Arizona’s public agencies are navigating that same transformation. The ASU-Arizona partnership provides a structured, accessible way for employees to build digital fluency, strengthen leadership and enhance problem-solving skills relevant to their roles in government.

ASU, ranked No. 1 in the nation for innovation by U.S. News & World Report for 11 consecutive years, already has supported more than 1 million learners worldwide through its continuing and professional learning programs.

A leader in workforce development, the newest Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, or GEURS, again ranked ASU second among public U.S. universities for employable graduates — ahead of UCLA, the University of Michigan and Purdue. That same expertise now supports Arizona’s public workforce, offering learning experiences that help employees meet today’s challenges while preparing for those ahead.

“As a lifelong Arizonan, I’ve seen firsthand the impact public employees have in every community across our state,” said Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost. “Arizona will continue to thrive thanks to programs like this one, which ensures that our public employees have opportunities to learn and grow throughout their careers. This partnership reflects ASU’s commitment to transforming the university experience into a lifelong relationship that empowers people at every stage of life.”

Practical learning with measurable value

Eligible employees were able to participate in one of two program types designed to meet different professional goals:

Skills-based courses, focused primarily on digital and project management skills — including areas such as data analytics, agile project management and technology-enabled collaboration — many of which can be completed in eight hours or less.
Career certificate programs, providing deeper study in leadership, strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making.

Each offering provides practical, job-relevant tools that employees can apply immediately in their work. Upon completion, participants earn a digital credential from ASU, which can be shared in professional portfolios or annual performance evaluations.

The partnership also includes up to eight keynote sessions throughout the year, led by ASU experts, on leadership, innovation and managing change — giving employees a chance to learn together and share ideas across agencies.

By connecting the state’s workforce goals with ASU’s learning resources, the collaboration strengthens leadership and innovation across public service and supports Arizona’s capacity to adapt, grow and shape what’s next.

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11/03/25

Educational partnership between Thunderbird and Oman redefines public leadership

11/03/25

The dream that took flight: Our founders inspire our future

10/30/25

Thunderbird at ASU ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade for fourth consecutive year

For the fourth consecutive year, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has been recognized as the world leader in international trade by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the prestigious global authority on higher education rankings.

This year’s QS International Trade Rankings (2026) for MBA and master’s programs once again position Thunderbird as the No. 1 school in the world. The school ranks ahead of Columbia University, the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (Ross) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) in the U.S., as well as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore internationally.

“We are deeply honored to once again be recognized as the world’s top institution for international trade,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Earning this distinction repeatedly among the world’s leading MBA and master’s programs underscores our unwavering commitment to preparing future-ready global leaders in one of the most dynamic and comprehensive fields of study.”

Thunderbird earned an overall score of 100 out of 100 points — ranking first among nearly 110 universities and business schools worldwide offering graduate programs in international trade. This achievement reaffirms the school’s position as a global leader in impact, innovation and academic excellence. Notably, Thunderbird is one of only three institutions to exceed the 90-point mark, with the next highest-ranked school, the National University of Singapore, following at 92.6 points — further underscoring Thunderbird’s preeminence in international trade education.

In this year’s rankings, Thunderbird once again stands as the only school from the United States — and the entire Americas — ranked among the global top 10, with Columbia University following at No. 11. The school likewise held this distinction in 2025 and, in 2024, was one of only five U.S. universities to reach the top 10.

This is also the only global No. 1 subject ranking across all of Arizona State University, highlighting Thunderbird’s distinct global impact within ASU’s world-class ecosystem.

Thunderbird’s world-class faculty are central to this recognition. They actively participate in many of the world’s leading academic and industry organizations, including the Academy of International Business, Council on Foreign Relations, Global Network of Business Schools, International Studies Association, United Nations Global Compact, and numerous World Economic Forum councils. Locally, faculty and students are engaged with the Arizona District Export Council, the Diplomatic Corps of Arizona, the Phoenix Council on Foreign Relations, and other key regional organizations.

Thunderbird faculty are also regularly featured and cited in leading international outlets, contributing scholarship and policy insights that shape global discourse. Their work has informed the strategies of prominent global institutions and has been referenced at the highest levels of policymaking. Influential bodies such as the United States International Trade Commission, the National Intelligence Council, the United States Senate, and the Departments of State and Defense have drawn upon this research — reinforcing Thunderbird’s impact in shaping international trade policy.

“I have the pleasure of seeing our incredible faculty and staff delivering a level of expertise and global perspective — and at a pace and scale — that is simply unmatched,” said Lena Booth, deputy dean of Thunderbird Academic Enterprise and finance professor at Thunderbird. “It’s proof that our students leave us ready to shape the future. They emerge confident, globally minded and equipped to lead and make a real impact wherever their careers take them.”

Developed in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation, schools are evaluated across several key performance indicators, including trade program content, graduate outcomes, industry engagement, innovative teaching, reputation, research and program delivery. The QS rankings specifically highlight Thunderbird’s flagship Master of Global Management (MGM) program as the premier graduate program in international trade.

“Thunderbird’s MGM is recognized for its strong global orientation and practical approach to leadership development,” said Alex Boome, program director at the Hinrich Foundation. “With its flexible curriculum, transdisciplinary concentrations and emphasis on experiential learning, the program equips graduates with the skills and mindset to succeed in today’s interconnected and digitalized business environment.”

As part of the QS World University Rankings, the International Trade Rankings guide prospective students toward programs that equip them for success in global trade, while providing universities with a framework to benchmark and advance the quality and impact of trade education worldwide. As such, Thunderbird’s various degree programs continue to draw aspiring global business leaders who seek to make a lasting impact across the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

“What sets the Thunderbird student experience apart is that it’s unlike anywhere else in the world,” Griffy-Brown said. “Our students engage with a globally forward-thinking hub of accelerated innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, whether on campus or through our flexible online programs. They are immersed in a dynamic ecosystem where ideas meet real-world application, preparing them to lead with confidence on a global scale. Thunderbird isn’t just a place to learn — it’s a place to transform how you see the world and your role in shaping it.”

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10/30/25

Thunderbird at ASU ranked top 10 in faculty research, case writing for third consecutive year

For the third consecutive year, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has been recognized in The Case Centre Impact Index, climbing four places to rank No. 16 globally and No. 7 in the United States. This advancement highlights the growing global reach and influence of Thunderbird’s faculty in case writing, up from No. 20 worldwide and No. 10 nationally in 2024.

Thunderbird’s position among the top 10 U.S. institutions places it ahead of renowned schools including The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Internationally, Thunderbird ranks above HEC Paris in France, SDA Bocconi School of Management in Italy, and the National University of Singapore Business School.

“Our rise to No. 16 in The Case Centre Impact Index 2025 reflects the growing global reach of this approach and the influence of Thunderbird thought leadership worldwide. It affirms our commitment to advancing management education that not only informs but transforms — empowering learners everywhere to lead with innovation, integrity and impact.” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird.

As the world’s leading independent hub and leader of all management schools for cases, The Case Centre is dedicated to advancing the case method worldwide by sharing knowledge, wisdom and experience, and inspiring and transforming business education across the globe.

The Impact Index ranking system was launched as part of The Case Centre’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2023, and provides a platform to recognize the global reach and impact of an organization’s case writing.

“In the age of AI, the case method reminds us that while data may inform, it is stories that transform. Case writing and case teaching are acts of connection — where lived experience meets reflection, and where the human heartbeat of leadership is rediscovered. Through storytelling, we transcend algorithms to cultivate wisdom, empathy and courage — the timeless engines of progress. This award stands as testimony to the enduring power of narrative and dialogue to inspire, to connect and to remind us that learning is ultimately a profoundly human journey,” said Euvin Naidoo, director of the Thunderbird Case Series and Distinguished Professor of Global Accounting, Risk and Agility at Thunderbird.

The school’s continued success in case writing is powered by the Thunderbird Case Series and the newly launched Thunderbird Case Lab. Founded in 1996, the Thunderbird Case Series captures real-world global management occurrences and transforms them into rich classroom materials, serving as a cornerstone of the school’s educational model.

This fall, the new Case Lab launched with the intent to build on this tradition with a focus on simulations, storytelling and the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.

The lab has already hosted a number of faculty workshops, including sessions on AI-driven vibe coding, agentic AI and simulation design in partnership with Harvard Business Impact (formerly Harvard Business Publishing Education). It also ran the third iteration of its signature course, “Agility and the Art of Case Writing,” helping participants craft stories that enrich classrooms and boardrooms alike.

Since its inception, the Thunderbird Case Series has produced more than 500 original cases, eight of which have been recognized with international awards for excellence and impact.

Among these most celebrated works are two cases written by Lena Booth, deputy dean of Thunderbird Academic Enterprise and finance professor. "Hola-Kola: The Capital Budgeting Decision" is set in Mexico, and "Saito Solar Discounted Cash Flow Valuation" is based in Japan, with both exploring policy and strategy in global markets.

Other distinguished cases include "Dell’s Dilemma in Brazil: Negotiating at the State Level" by Roy Nelson, senior associate dean of undergraduate programs, which highlights political negotiation and market entry in emerging economies; Professor Mary Teagarden’s classic bestseller "Blood Bananas: Chiquita in Colombia," which continues to be used globally to teach corporate responsibility and ethics; and "Race to the South Pole" by Bill Youngdahl, associate professor of project and operations leadership and William D. Hacker Faculty Fellow, which examines three contrasting leadership styles during the early 20th-century race to reach the South Pole.

A full list of prize winning cases can be found here.

Thunderbird cases are distributed and available for purchase through The Case Centre, Harvard Business Impact, and Ivey Publishing, but they are also utilized throughout Thunderbird degree and executive education curriculum to depict real-world global challenges and spark dialogue in the classroom.

Thunderbird’s high ranking by The Case Centre also reflects the strength of its faculty authors.

Professor Kannan Ramaswamy was named one of The Case Centre’s Top 50 Best-Selling Case Authors for 2023–24. His contemporary cases, including "Where’s the Beef? Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and the Alternative Meat Industry" and "Singapore Airlines: Strategy with a Smile" — have become classroom staples across continents.

Last year, Naidoo received The Case Centre’s Outstanding Case Teacher Award, recognizing his innovative use of the case method and his leadership of the Thunderbird Case Series.

With the Case Lab driving innovation and the Case Series extending its reach, Thunderbird is continuing to elevate management education through storytelling, technology and collaboration. The school plans to build upon this continued success by expanding its catalogue of new cases focused on sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and ethical leadership.

“At this pivotal time in history, the role of educators and researchers is not only to produce knowledge but to translate that knowledge into narratives that shape action. The case method allows us to do this with impact. Our Thunderbird Case Series takes this further through innovation in simulation, data analysis and student-driven writing. These cases don’t just describe global challenges — they model them, analyze them and invite our learners to engage directly in solving them,” Griffy-Brown said.

“By integrating real-world data, immersive technologies and collaborative authorship, we are redefining what it means to learn from and contribute to management education in a complex, interconnected world.”

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10/29/25

Global Challenge Labs transform learning into impact

10/01/25

Thunderbird at ASU launches fellowship focused on sustainable ocean governance

The world’s oceans cover more than 70% of the planet, driving weather, regulating climate, feeding billions and providing untapped economic potential. Yet they remain under increasing threat from climate change, pollution, overfishing and competing geopolitical claims.

Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, disputes over deep-sea mining and fishing rights are intensifying, and medical researchers are looking to marine ecosystems for breakthroughs in health and biotechnology. Yet governance remains fragmented, with no single institution emerging as a global leader.

To fill that void, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has announced the establishment of the O’Dowd Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership, funded through the generosity of Thunderbird alumnus Joe O’Dowd (’81) and his wife, Diana Maria O’Dowd.

The O’Dowd Fellowship will address one of the most pressing global challenges of our time: how humanity governs and sustains the world’s oceans. By advancing scholarship and preparing leaders in this critical area, the fellowship will help shape international frameworks for sustainable ocean use, protect ecosystems and unlock new opportunities in fields such as trade, security and biotechnology.

By advancing cutting-edge research and training a new generation of leaders, the O’Dowd Fellowship will position ASU at the forefront of shaping that cooperation. From influencing international treaties on maritime law to guiding policies on sustainable ocean industries, the fellowship aims to have a direct impact on both global decision-making and local communities dependent on ocean resources.

“The O’Dowd Fellowship represents the very essence of Thunderbird’s mission: preparing global leaders to tackle humanity’s most complex challenges,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird at ASU. “By focusing on ocean diplomacy and the blue economy, we are equipping the next generation to protect our planet’s most vital resource while advancing innovation, cooperation and sustainable prosperity for communities worldwide.”

Thunderbird’s global footprint and ASU’s research ecosystem make the school uniquely positioned to lead in this emerging field. The O’Dowd Fellowship will draw on Thunderbird’s strengths in global diplomacy and international trade, while connecting with the School of Ocean Futures at ASU's Rob Walton College of Global Futures and broader sustainability initiatives.

“The O’Dowd Fellowship creates a powerful bridge between science, policy and leadership,” said Susanne Neuer, founding director of the School of Ocean Futures at ASU’s Rob Walton College of Global Futures. “This fellowship will help shape the future of ocean governance, sustainability and the blue economy. We’re proud to collaborate with Thunderbird in advancing this vital work.”

“Thunderbirds have been changemakers around the world for generations,” O’Dowd said. “This fellowship ensures that the next generation will have the tools and knowledge to tackle challenges at the heart of environmental, economic and geopolitical issues.”

Seeding a new field of leadership

The O’Dowds view their gift as catalytic — designed to spark investment and growth in an underdeveloped but vital area of global governance.

“This is seed funding,” O’Dowd explained. “It’s the beginning of something much bigger. Others can take this further, and that would be the best possible outcome.”

Learn more about the Changing Futures campaign.

The O’Dowd Fellowship also directly advances ASU’s Changing Futures campaign, a bold initiative to transform global education, reshape humanity’s relationship with the planet and inspire tomorrow’s game changers. By embedding ocean diplomacy and leadership into Thunderbird’s academic and research portfolio, the fellowship stands at the crossroads of each campaign pillar.

It expands access to critical global knowledge, cultivates leaders prepared to safeguard the planet’s most vital resource and sparks innovation in areas from sustainability to biotechnology. Just as ASU seeks to equip more leaders with the tools and confidence to create meaningful change worldwide, the O’Dowd Fellowship exemplifies that mission in action.

Inspiring future leaders

At its core, the fellowship equips students and emerging leaders to confront pressing challenges and engage with critical issues in ocean diplomacy and sustainability, ensuring Thunderbird graduates enter careers in business, government and international organizations with both the expertise and influence to drive meaningful impact.

Hossain Ahmed Taufiq has been selected as the inaugural O’Dowd Postdoctoral Fellow in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership. In this role, he will help establish the Ocean Diplomacy Lab, a global research initiative dedicated to advancing practical and cooperative solutions for sustainable ocean governance. His work will also focus on building strategic partnerships across ASU and with external organizations — including Semester at Sea — to create impactful collaborations and expand opportunities for global experiential learning.

“I wish people knew how critical the blue economy is for all of our futures. The ocean will inevitably be used,” O’Dowd said, “but it must be within a framework that prevents further damage to the environment. That requires global cooperation between nations, industries and innovators. Without it, we face challenges even greater than climate change.

“The Earth is the only home our children and grandchildren will ever have. We need to build awareness and knowledge now, so the next generation of leaders can make better decisions for the future.”

For the O’Dowds, this initiative reflects a long-held desire to leave the world better than they found it. By investing in Thunderbird, they hope to witness immediate impact and inspire others to join them in shaping the future.

“Through this fellowship," O'Dowd said, "Thunderbird can lead on an issue that affects every human being on the planet.”

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03/15/25

Thunderbird at ASU welcomes new director of Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy and Business

Thunderbird School of Global Management (Thunderbird) at Arizona State University (ASU) welcomes David Thomas, esteemed executive, scientist, and science diplomat with over two decades of experience, to lead the institution’s transformative space education initiatives.

As the director of the Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy and Business and professor of practice, Thomas spearheads space programming, including the Executive Master of Global Management: Space Leadership, Business, and Policy (EMGM-Space) and the Executive Certificate in Space Leadership, Business, and Policy.

However, his work at ASU does not begin with Thunderbird. Thomas has been instrumental in ASU’s effort to create the first university-led, non-governmental space agency, called the Milo Space Science Institute within the School of Earth and Space Exploration.

In addition to his academic leadership, Thomas has pioneered the Space Diplomacy initiative at ASU, aiming to ensure the U.S. and its allies are partners of choice for nations and organizations with both mature space flight heritage and those with emerging space agencies.

With a career spanning applied science, defense, and international collaboration, David has led high-tech teams and large-scale programs that address some of the most difficult challenges in the space industry.

In the following Q&A, he shares insights on the future of space entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the role of education in developing the next generation of space leaders.

Q: What makes Thunderbird positioned to prepare the next generation of leaders in space leadership, commerce, and diplomacy?

A: There is a compelling need to cultivate leaders who embody the Thunderbird ethos—visionaries who will navigate the unknown with integrity and ensure that the future of space exploration serves all of humanity. Thunderbird was built on the very principles that are needed in this time in history. Thunderbird’s Oath of Honor is the embodiment of a principled framework that directs us to act responsibly and with accountability. Similarly, the ASU Charter compels us to take responsibility for the communities we serve. Together, Thunderbird and ASU offer the foundation to cultivate global leaders who will influence their region.

Q: What are some of the critical challenges facing space leadership and business today, and how can education and research help address them?

A: We are witnessing an extraordinary era in human history, defined by unprecedented access to space. The rise of space commerce has transformed the landscape, and the rapid pace of corporate innovation has created new opportunities for public-private partnerships and business models. However, this new frontier is not without its challenges. It is shaped by complex geopolitical dynamics that underscore the urgent need for principled leaders who are adept in international diplomacy.

Q: What are some innovative trends in space entrepreneurship that you’re particularly excited about?

A: NASA and other government space agencies are investing in programs designed to encourage commercial services to enable their space science and exploration objectives. One example is the ride-share model to the surface of the Moon. Using this model, organizations no longer need to procure all the infrastructure for a mission. They can simply purchase a ride and pay for the infrastructure they need as a service. There are also plans to develop similar commercial infrastructure for Mars. The Milo Institute at ASU is pioneering university-led consortia-based missions, where multiple participants share costs and risks. These models are opening new opportunities for entrepreneurs and research organizations.

Q: How can businesses balance the pursuit of profits with ethical considerations and sustainability in space exploration?

David: The Thunderbird Space Initiative has adopted principled frameworks which provide structured approaches for businesses to align profitability with ethical responsibility and sustainability in space exploration. We emphasize transparency, societal benefit, and environmental stewardship while addressing the complexities of commercial activities. One of the important topics we cover is planetary stewardship — intentionally determining how innovation will help solve challenges on Earth.

The U.S. Department of State and NASA have also provided a unifying and principled framework in the Artemis Accords, signed by 53 nations as of January 2025. The Accords establish comprehensive principles for international cooperation in space exploration.

Q: What advice do you have for students at Thunderbird or aspiring leaders who want to make an impact in the space sector?

David: A new space economy has emerged that is propelling innovation and commerce. Thunderbird’s Space Initiative has identified 90 countries with aspirations to participate in this growing sector. However, only a few of these countries have the resident expertise and infrastructure to engage in space exploration and commerce. Emerging space faring countries need assistance to build the capacity to participate in space.

Q: How can Thunderbird inspire young professionals to see space not just as a frontier of exploration but as a platform for solving global challenges?

A: The challenges we face on the Moon and Mars have similarities to those we face on Earth. They include meeting basic needs for food, water, energy, and shelter. We must perfect remote medical diagnostics and understand how to improve human health in isolated environments. Thunderbird can inspire young professionals to see space as a platform to address the challenges of our time. Space brings people together to solve challenges that are bigger than any one person, and in turn, builds capacity to solve hard problems on Earth.

Q: If you could visit any celestial body in our solar system, which one would it be and why

A: Mars is fascinating to me. It is roughly half the size of Earth, yet it is home to two of the most dramatic features in the solar system — Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in the solar system, and Valles Marineris, a massive canyon with a length that is roughly the same as the distance across the U.S.

Q: Do you have a favorite space mission or project that has inspired you personally or professionally?

A: I have always been inspired by the Pillars of Creation, a very large cloud of interstellar gas and dust discovered in 1995 by a team led by ASU astronomers Jeff Hester and Paul Scowen using the Hubble Space Telescope. This tells us about star formation, a process that continues to this day. It is the mystery we see in the universe that inspires us to explore.

For more information on the Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy, and Business, visit Thunderbird’s website.

Read more about Thunderbird at ASU welcomes new director of Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy and Business

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