American Express Leadership
Academy Gives Nonprofit
Leaders an Edge
Ask any nonprofit leader, “Why do you do what you do?” and the response
most likely will be “Because I want to make a difference.” But leaving a positive
impact on society may become increasingly difficult as the current generation
of nonprofit leaders retire.
To help ensure qualified individuals are being prepared to fill a future void,
American Express and CCL joined forces in 2008 to create the American
Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy for emerging nonprofit leaders.
With an initial $200,000 grant from American Express, CCL designed and
piloted a leadership program for 24 participants. Today, the Academy has
helped more than 300 emerging leaders develop critical skills needed to
successfully run their nonprofit organizations.
Twice a year, participants gather at American Express headquarters in
New York City for the week-long program, which blends both leadership
savvy and business acumen. Executives from American Express provide
training in career development, business strategy, customer service, brand
management and marketing. CCL facilitates 360-degree assessments,
information sessions on leadership, exercises, and coaching to help
participants gain insight and build new leadership skills. A highlight of
the Academy is the Authentic Leadership discussion, led by American
Express CEO, Kenneth Chenault.
“Leadership development is critical in our own company, and we
have a passion for it from the CEO down,” says Richard Brown,
Vice President of Philanthropy for American Express.“It seems
natural for us to apply the same emphasis outside our walls and
give nonprofits assistance they are in need of.”
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Emerging leaders from nonprofits across the country are selected for the
program and compete for slots in each class. Those selected must hold a
manager-level position, be dedicated to a career in the nonprofit sector
and show strong career momentum.
“We’ve found that individuals take great pride in being selected for this
Academy, which helps them to stay true to what they learn in the program,”
says Shera Clark, Manager of CCL’s Nonprofit Sector and American Express
Academy’s lead faculty.
Some of the best indicators of the Academy’s impact come from the
nonprofit leaders it serves. Emmanuel d’Harcourt, Senior Health Director
of the International Rescue Committee, a global network providing
emergency relief, services and advocacy for victims of violent conflict
and oppression, said his participation in the Academy came at the perfect
The Center for Creative Leadership
(CCL®) is a top-ranked, global
provider of executive education
that develops better leaders through
its exclusive focus on leadership
education and research. Founded
in 1970 as a nonprofit, CCL offers an
array of research-based programs,
products and services for
leaders at all levels.
time in his career. He was promoted into his current job shortly after
completing the program — taking the helm of the health services team that
spearheads more than $70 million in programs around the globe.
“What I learned through the Academy played a huge role in helping me,”
d’Harcourt said. It completely changed how I go about my job and how I
look at things. I took advantage of the opportunity to work with an
executive coach from CCL, and that has proved very, very helpful.”
Thanks to the funding from American Express, the Academy continues to
support participants long after they return to their organizations. They
have access to online networking tools, post-program Webinars, integrated
coaching calls, leadership goal checkpoints and a one-year review of their
To Learn more, contact:
CCL - Americas
Greensboro, NC
P: +1 336 545 2810
E-mail: info@ccl.org
CCL – Europe, Middle East, Africa
Brussels, Belgium
P: +32 (0) 2 679 09 10
E-mail: ccl.emea@ccl.org
CCL - Asia-Pacific
Singapore
P: +65 6854 6000
E-mail: ccl.apac@ccl.org
progress. They can also apply for a continuing education grant to continue
working with their CCL executive coach or to take advantage of seminars,
conferences and other learning opportunities.
“We’ve received tremendous response and gratitude from the
nonprofit community,” says Brown.“Participants return to
their organizations highly motivated, with great stories, and
personally demonstrate that the program is worthwhile.”
For more information about the
American Express Leadership Academy:
Visit www.ccl.org/leadershipcommunity,
e-mail info@ccl.org or call +1 336 545 2810.
© 2012 Center for Creative Leadership . All rights reserved .
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