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Local nonprofit leader selected for prestigious 2017 Aspen Institute Fellowship for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders
Day 2 at the #amexleads Aspen 2.0 Academy. The fellowship class took a break from the seminar to hike the top of Aspen Mountain.
UPDATE: A recap of the experience is available here.
Phoenix, Ariz. (August 7, 2016) – The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce that Akshai J. Patel, an alumnus of Class Nine (2016-2017) of the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center and co-founder and CEO of Phoenix Collegiate Academy, has been selected to participate in the American Express Aspen Institute Academy 2.0: A Fellowship for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders. The Fellowship will take place at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Meadows campus in Colorado from Sunday, August 20 through Friday, August 25, 2017 and marks the second year in a row where an Academy alumnus from the ASU Lodestar Center was selected to participate.
The American Express Foundation and the Aspen Institute established the Fellowship program to develop exceptional emerging nonprofit leaders by combining the exploration of core values with best practices from other sectors while creating opportunities for cross-sector learning, mentorship and collaboration. Using the time-tested Aspen Institute method of text-based dialogue, the Fellowship program aims to provide the tools and perspectives necessary for effective, enlightened leadership. Nominations for the Fellowship were by invitation-only and 15 Fellows have been selected through an internationally competitive process.
“Our partnership with the American Express Foundation involves many exciting outcomes. One is that we can provide the highest quality and most relevant learning experiences for emerging and current nonprofit leaders,” said Dr. Robert R. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise. “Another is that outstanding alumni of our Academy, such as Askhai Patel, can access additional value-added opportunities and compete for selection to the experience in Aspen. He will return to our area well-positioned with knowledge and tools for even greater impact,” Ashcraft added.
“I'm beyond flattered to be selected for this competitive, invitation-only, fellowship. The fact that the American Express Foundation invests to provide the tools and perspectives necessary for effective, enlightened leadership is a big deal. In an era where – for some organizations – corporate social responsibility is just a box to check, the American Express Foundation is a leader," said Akshai J. Patel, 2017 Aspen Institute participant and American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center alumnus. "Targeted leadership development for me and my organization isn't just good for the social sector, it's going to alter life paths for children across South Phoenix and provide a blueprint for other nonprofits serving students in marginalized communities nation-wide. I'm looking forward to this incredible learning experience," he 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 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 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.