Phoenix, Ariz. (May 11, 2018) – Class 10 of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation's American Express Leadership Academy graduated from their nine-month development program on Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix - Balsz School District Community Room.

The celebration featured remarks from Cassidy Campana, program manager of the American Express Leadership Academy, Robert F. Ashcraft, Ph.D., Executive Director of the ASU Lodestar Center and Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise, ASU School of Community Resources & Development, and Cheryl Ruggiero, a member of the ASU Lodestar Center's Leadership Council and the Director of Charitable Giving for the Waste Management Phoenix Open/Thunderbirds Charities.

Additionally, the evening featured an address from Nilam Patel a graduating member of Class 10 cohort and the Manager of Development at Midwestern University.

Funded in part by a generous contribution from the American Express Foundation, the American Express Leadership Academy is a cohort of the Valley's top emerging nonprofit leaders, chosen to participate in training 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.

Graduates from American Express Leadership Academy Class 10 are:

• Michelle Alberti, A New Leaf
• Sara Appleton, Tempe Community Council 
• Jennifer Atkari-Benavides, Southwest Human Development
• Brooke Baumer, Valley of the Sun YMCA
• Krista M. Beazley, Fort Apache Heritage Foundation
• Kendra M. Benedict, Ph.D., The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)
• Sharon Brooks, CARRE Foundation
• Codie Cancellieri, Junior Achievement of Arizona
• Catherine M. Comer, The Junior League of Phoenix
• Hollie Costello, Make-A-Wish Arizona
• Renee Marie Dittlof, Arizona State Veteran Home-Phoenix
• Ian Robert Dowdy, Sonoran Institute
• Eileen Egan, First Nations Development Institute
• Katherine Fassett, Maricopa Health Foundation
• Kim Garbacz, Arizona Grantmakers Forum
• Amy Holstein, Child Crisis Arizona 
• Matt Horn, Dignity Health Foundation
• Jane Huff, Experience Matters Fellow
• Jill Hawkins Johnson, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
• Kara Jones, Community Food Bank of Southern AZ
• William “Bill” Kirkland, Mountain Park Health Center
• Damara Lotten, FIBCO Family Services, Inc.
• Todd Madeksza, Elevated Advocacy
• Juliet Martin, Act One
• Shay M. Masterson, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation
• Kaylie Medansky, Swift Youth Foundation
• Brenda Meir, Soldier’s Best Friend
• Nilam Patel, Midwestern University
• Brian J. Planty                     
• Melia Smith, Andre House 
• Rachel Stern, American Heart Association
• Mary Vandenberg, Arizona Technology Council Foundation
• Marcos D. Voss, Desert Botanical Garden
• Christine ‘Krickette’ Wetherington, Valley of the Sun United Way

Special thanks to all of the partners and practitioners who helped shape the program for this year’s cohort. Many thanks to the generosity of the American Express Foundation, lead supporter of the Academy. Additional thanks to SRP, Wells Fargo Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and CopperPoint Insurance.

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 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. For more information, please visit:  lodestar.asu.edu/leadership.