Newsroom
ASU Lodestar Center announces Class 10 of American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center, engaging 34 program participants in the 2017-2018 year
Phoenix, Ariz. (August 28, 2017) – The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce the launch of the tenth year of its American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. As one of the largest classes in program history, 34 emerging, nonprofit leaders were selected through a competitive application process to participate in this year’s cohort. 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 and diverse experiences. Within the applicant pool, we have seen a more diverse representation of nonprofits. Building on the American Express Foundation’s continued investment over the past ten years, this emerging leader program continues to offer 360-degree feedback assessments and one-on-one executive coaching. These program enhancements continuously enable the class to leave a lasting and profound impact on the communities in which they serve and volunteer.
"Our history of developing leaders of and for the nonprofit and philanthropic sector through our Academy design is unmatched," said Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise with the School of Community Resources and Development at ASU. "Equally impressive is the ongoing partnership we’ve enjoyed with the American Express Foundation because together we improve communities in ways not otherwise possible,” he added.
This year's cohort includes:
- Michelle Alberti, A New Leaf
- Sara Appleton, Tempe Community Council
- Jennifer Atkari-Benavides, Southwest Human Development
- Brooke Baumer, Valley of the Sun YMCA
- Krista Beazley, Fort Apache Heritage Foundation
- Kendra Benedict, PHD, The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)
- Sharon Brooks, CARRE Foundation
- Codie Cancellieri, Junior Achievement of Arizona
- Catherine Comer, The Junior League of Phoenix
- Hollie Costello, Make-A-Wish Arizona
- Renee Dittlof, Arizona State Veteran Home
- Ian Dowdy, Sonoran Institute
- Eileen Egan, First Nations Development Institute
- Kate Fassett, Maricopa Health Foundation
- Kim Garbacz, Arizona Grantmakers Forum
- Jill Hawkins-Johnson, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
- Amy Holstein, Child Crisis
- Matt Horn, Dignity Health Foundation
- Jane Huff, Experience Matters Fellow
- Kara Jones, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
- William “Bill” Kirkland, Mountain Park Health Center
- Damara Lotten, FIBCO Family Services, Inc.
- Todd Madeksza, Coconino County
- Juliet Martin, Act One
- Shay Masterson, Fresh Start Women's Foundation
- Kaylie Medansky, Swift Youth Foundation
- Brenda Meir, Soldier's Best Friend
- Nilam Patel, Midwestern University
- Brian Planty, UMOM New Day Centers
- Melia Smith, Mesa Arts Center
- Rachel Stern, American Cancer Society
- Mary Vandenberg, Arizona Technology Council
- Marcos Voss, Desert Botanical Garden
- Christine “Krickette” Wetherington, Valley of the Sun United Way
View the Class 10 roster online here.
"This year the American Express Leadership Academy celebrates 10 years. This cohort represents some of Arizona’s leading nonprofits working to address Arizona’s social, economic, cultural and health issues," said Cassidy Campana, ASU Lodestar Center program manager for the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. "We are thrilled to welcome our largest class of nonprofit leaders to our program," she added.
Additional thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, CopperPoint Insurance Companies, National Bank of Arizona, 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.
###
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 tenth 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 Arizona State University 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.