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American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center announces Class 12, engaging 33 emerging nonprofit leaders
July 31, 2019 (Phoenix, Ariz.) – The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce the launch of the 12th year of its American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. Class 12 includes 33 emerging nonprofit leaders who were selected through a competitive application process. The program, beginning in August, provides participants with a transformational leadership-development experience and lasting connections with other sector leaders.
Funded in part by a generous contribution from the American Express Foundation, the Academy is a cohort of the region’s top emerging nonprofit leaders, chosen to participate in a nine-month training program that provides them with the knowledge and tools needed to take on leadership roles within the nonprofit community. The program is comprised of best-practice approaches to leading and managing nonprofits that include renowned professors and practitioner instructors at ASU as well as established nonprofit leaders from organizations that engage with the ASU Lodestar Center.
This year’s class includes participants from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and nonprofit organizations. Building on the American Express Foundation’s continued investment over the past eleven years, this emerging leader program continues to offer 360-degree feedback assessments and one-on-one executive coaching. These program elements enable the class to leave a lasting and profound impact on the communities in which they serve and volunteer.
“Our Academy delivers high-impact results as evidenced by feedback we receive from community partners that benefit daily from the remarkable talents of our participants,” said Dr. Robert Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise. “As a partner with the American Express Foundation, our Center’s mission to solve problems, help communities realize their highest aspirations, and accelerate social impact is realized in profound ways.”
- Twanna Anderson, United Food Bank
- Suzanne Brimley, Read Better Be Better
- Alana Campbell, Javelina
- Chanette Campbell, Arizona Informant
- Lauren Cassidy, Desert Botanical Garden
- Carlos Castaneda, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
- Tania Contente-Cuomo, TGen
- Erin Cowan Hegg, Child Crisis Arizona
- Daniel Davis, UMOM New Day Centers
- Kelli Fawcett, Valley of the Sun United Way
- Kelley Fitzsimmons, Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- Nina Freelander, Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children
- Mara Gerst, Gerst Grants & Nonprofit Consulting
- Mary Glennon, Central Arizona Shelter Services
- Karla Hartline, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
- Rochelle Henderson, A New Leaf
- Caitlin Huble, Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance
- Nicholas Jensen, Shot in the Dark
- Stephanie Jensen, PetSmart Charities
- Nikki Kontz, Teen Lifeline
- Hilary Mahoney, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
- Fadumo Malow, Mayo Clinic
- Nicole Mielke, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems
- Jennifer Nye, Terros Health
- Amy Otto, Roosevelt Row CDC
- Valerie Pearson, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
- Lisa Potter, Junior Achievement of Arizona
- Kela Powers, Vista College Preparatory
- David Reno, Southwest Human Development
- Kalani Rice, Center for Gender Equity in Science & Technology
- Alyson Smith, Arizona Science Center
- Scott Smith, Make-A-Wish America
- Katie Thorson, St. Joseph the Worker
"Developing high-potential nonprofit leaders is at the core of the ASU Lodestar Center’s mission and is critical to the future of this sector. The American Express Foundation recognizes the importance of leadership through their investment in this Academy," said Cassidy Campana, program manager for the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. "By supporting and advancing the talent of these individuals during this year-long program, we invest in the vibrancy and sustainability of Arizona’s nonprofit sector with proven leaders prepared to run the organizations of the future."
Additional thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, CopperPoint Insurance Companies, SRP and Wells Fargo for their continued support of the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center.
For additional information regarding any of the ASU Lodestar Center’s programs, visit lodestar.asu.edu. If you have questions, please call 602.496.0500 or email nonprofit@asu.edu.