FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THUNDERBIRD AND AMERICAN EXPRESS RENEW PARTNERSHIP TO
SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECTOR EMERGING LEADERS
Ten Top International Organizations to Participate
(GLENDALE, Ariz.) March 30, 2010 — Thunderbird School of Global Management and the American
Express Foundation are pleased to announce the second annual Social Sector Emerging Leader Consortia. This
partnership supports a joint vision between the two organizations: to develop and deliver an emerging leadership
development program for some of the world’s top social sector organizations.
Twenty-five leaders from approximately 10 global nonprofit and non-governmental organizations will
participate in the program to be held April 26-30 at Thunderbird’s Glendale, Ariz., campus. Participating
organizations include Acumen Fund; Ashoka; Aravind Eye Care System; Care; Medecins Sans
Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; Heifer
International; Pro Mujer; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and the World
Wildlife Fund.
The leadership consortium is funded by a grant from the American Express Foundation as part of its Developing
New Leaders for Tomorrow philanthropic initiative. It will be delivered by Thunderbird’s top global faculty
with a focus on developing leadership skills which can deliver maximum benefit to organizations facing
constant change in the 21st century.
“American Express is committed to being good citizens in the communities in which we live and work,” said
Leslie Motter, general manager for American Express in Phoenix. “We recognize the significant impact that
social sector leaders have in our society. The fact that we can bring these strong global leaders to this program
through the collaboration of American Express and Thunderbird is a huge win.”
Key learning themes of the program include strategy, leadership, critical thinking, executive communication,
service marketing and brand management, ethics, change management and innovation—all within a global
context. The learning experience also brings in a strong element of coaching and mentoring, pre-, during- and
post-program, both with the Thunderbird faculty team as well as with the executive sponsors of each participant.
According to Thunderbird Professor Dr. Mary Teagarden, academic director of the program, participants are
expected to identify their own leadership gaps given today’s challenging, changing and globalizing environment
for social sector organizations. She said emerging leaders will work with other consortia participants and
Thunderbird’s faculty to find creative approaches for closing leadership skills, knowledge, resources and
network gaps and to develop plans of action to take back to their organizations for their continued development
and that of their followers.
“Thunderbird has a strong commitment to provide an outstanding learning experience to the nominated
participants of these notable global organizations,” said Associate Vice President, Thunderbird Corporate
Learning and Director of the Social Sector Program, Joy Lubeck, a 1986 Thunderbird alumna. “The
Thunderbird leadership development approach integrates individual leadership together with impact to the
organization, and ultimately the entire social sector. Further, Thunderbird’s core pillars are brought into the
learning experience: Global Leadership, Global Mindset, Global Entrepreneurship, Global Citizenship and
Global Learning Network.”
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About Thunderbird
Thunderbird is the world’s No. 1-ranked school of international business with more than 60 years of experience in
developing leaders with the global mindset, business skills and social responsibility necessary to create real, sustainable
value for their organizations, communities and the world. Dedicated to preparing students to be global leaders
and committed global citizens, Thunderbird was the first graduate business school to adopt an official Professional Oath of
Honor. Thunderbird is sought out by graduate students, working professionals and companies worldwide seeking to gain
the leadership skills they need to succeed in today’s global economy. For more about Thunderbird, please visit:
www.thunderbird.edu.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that
enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on
www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.
American Express: Developing New Leaders for Tomorrow
One of American Express' three platforms for its philanthropy is Developing New Leaders for Tomorrow. Under this giving
initiative, which recognizes the significance of strong leadership in the nonprofit sector, American Express is making
grants focused on training high potential emerging leaders to tackle important issues in the 21st century.