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American Express Academy alumnus selected for prestigious 2018 Aspen Institute Fellowship for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders

A professional photo portrait of Cothrun, Senior Director, Marketing & Development for the Sonoran Institute, sits next to an image of meadow of white aspen trees with yellow and green leaves.

Phoenix, Ariz. (July 31, 2018) – The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce that Seth Cothrun, Senior Director, Marketing & Development for the Sonoran Institute and an alumnus of Class Nine (2016-2017) of the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center, has been selected to participate in the American Express Aspen Institute Academy 2.0: A Fellowship for Emerging Nonprofit LeadersThe Fellowship will take place at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Meadows campus in Colorado from Sunday, August 19 to Friday, August 24, 2018 and marks the third year in a row where an Academy alumnus from the ASU Lodestar Center was selected to participate.

“Being selected as an Aspen Institute 2.0 fellow is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I look forward to joining the 14 other leaders selected and learning from their experiences," said Seth Cothrun, 2018 Aspen Institute participant and American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center alumnus. "This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication from the staff, coaches, and my fellow members of Class Nine of the American Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center," he added. 

The American Express Foundation and the Aspen Institute established the Fellowship program to develop the next generation of nonprofit leaders. The Fellowship provides participants a neutral forum in which to reflect on the values that animate their work and an opportunity to develop a strong and supportive peer network. Nominations were accepted by invitation only. Fifteen fellows are selected each year through a competitive process.

“To be selected as one of only 15 leaders from across the American Express Academy global network speaks to the quality of participants who have benefited from our Center’s American Express Leadership Academy experience,” said Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise. “We are delighted that Seth was selected and know he will add much to the experience, while gaining leadership knowledge that will greatly benefit Arizona and beyond,” Ashcraft added.

For additional information regarding any of the ASU Lodestar Center’s programs, visit lodestar.asu.edu.

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ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation

The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is recognized as a national leader in undergraduate and graduate nonprofit education, research and technical assistance. The ASU Lodestar Center exists to enhance the quality of life in communities through the advancement of nonprofit leadership practices and provides knowledge and tools to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, professionals, board members, donors and volunteers by offering a selection of capacity building workshops, conferences, classes, and programs. For more information, please visit: lodestar.asu.edu.

American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center

The American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center operated as the Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy for six years. Now beginning its eleventh year at ASU, this highly-effective leadership development program is now the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. Currently, over 30 individuals are selected through a competitive process to participate in the nine-month program beginning in August and ending in May each year. Each program day covers a variety of topics including, but not limited to, public policy and advocacy, collaboration, marketing and media relations, board development, donor relations, and leadership development. The American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center offers: increased awareness and understanding of the nonprofit sector and issues affecting its growth and prosperity; leadership skills development, cultivation and opportunities for engagement; and a broader network of personal and professional relationships. For more information, please visit:  lodestar.asu.edu/leadership.