AMEX Funds ASAE Leaders Program
-- Tradeshow Week, 7/28/2008
ASAE & The Center for Assn. Leadership's new Leadership Academy got a financial boost with a $300,000 grant from American Express.
The recently formed Leadership Academy focuses on preparing young professionals for executive positions in the association and nonprofit world, according to ASAE. The funds will be equally divided and distributed during the next three years.
According to American Express, its grant to ASAE & The Center is part of the company's pledge to work with organizations to develop a broader pool of leaders committed to working in the association and nonprofit sector.
“We are dedicated to providing current and future leaders with meaningful platforms to build and sharpen their leadership skills,” said Timothy J. McClimon, president of the American Express Foundation.
John Graham, ASAE's president and CEO, said, “The new workforce realities for associations and nonprofit organizations, with many executives and senior staff approaching retirement age, indicates a need for more skilled and experiences professionals to enter our profession.”
He added, “The new program being launched by ASAE & The Center will prepare young professionals for future careers and fill the gap of leadership in the association community.”
According to ASAE, the Leadership Academy's pilot program will begin in the fall with 25 students and expand to 50 in the future. ASAE will begin accepting applications for the program during ASAE & The Center's Annual Meeting & Exposition Aug. 15-19 at the San Diego Convention Center.
