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Meet Class VIII of the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center
Phoenix, Ariz. (September 30, 2015) – The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce the launch of the eighth year of its American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center (formerly Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy). Twenty-eight (28) emerging, nonprofit leaders from the Valley were selected through a competitive application process to participate in this year’s cohort. Funded in part by a generous contribution from American Express and Salt River Project, the Academy is a cohort of the Valley'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. Building on the American Express Foundation’s continued investment over the past seven years, this emerging leader program offers 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.
"This year’s class of our Academy participants represents the depth and breadth of our area’s mission-driven organizations" said Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and professor of nonprofit studies in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development. "Through our long-standing partnership with the American Express Foundation these individuals will enjoy a profound growth experience that accelerates the impact of the nonprofit sector to assure better communities for all,” he added.
This year's cohort includes:
- Sylvia Bracamonte, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson
- Melissa Brockie, Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
- Brandi Carter, The Be Kind People Project
- Brittany C. Carter, Arizona Health Care Association
- Maria Jesús Cervantes, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
- Kathy Dinolfi, A New Leaf
- Alycia Elfstrom, Mosaic in Arizona
- Nicoletta Fasano, Feeding Matters
- Alex Garza, Jr., Boys & Girls Club
- Demitria Griggs, Angels on Patrol
- Ashley Hare, City of Phoenix, Office of Arts & Culture
- Sharla Hooper, Arizona Medical Association
- Jayson Matthews, Valley of the Sun United Way
- Jennie Miller, John C. Lincoln Health Foundation
- Isol Morales, STARS
- Federico Jose Murillo Fallas, Friendly House, Inc.
- Amy R. Nuñez, Mountain Park Health
- Nicole Lee Olmstead, American Heart Association
- Tacy Pastor, Arizona Humane Society
- Akshai J. Patel, Phoenix Collegiate Academy
- Meribeth Reeves, Desert Foothills Theater/FCF
- McKenzie R. Simmons, Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc.
- Megan Sterling, East Valley Partnership
- Ryan Tapscott, Esperanca
- Candice Tolliver, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance
- Nicole Underwood, Roosevelt Row CDC
- Kathleen Warren, Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun
- Angela Zilch, Southwest Human Development
"Investing in the professional development of these proven nonprofit leaders, the ASU Lodestar Center and the American Express Foundation can continue to fulfill our mission of developing a stronger, more prepared pipeline of executives for the future. These leaders will have an opportunity to share their work and expertise across sectors and grow their own skill-sets to take back to their respective organizations," said Cassidy Campana, ASU Lodestar Center program manager for the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. "Over the past seven years, we have seen how the personal connections made during the year have turned into meaningful partnerships and our alumni have taken on important leadership roles within the sector. We are excited to see what this year’s cohort will accomplish," she added.
Additional thanks to Salt River Project 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.
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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 eighth year at ASU, this highly-effective leadership development program is now the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center. Currently, nearly 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.