Not-for-profit leaders are all about filling up other people’s cups, but rarely are they able to fill their own. Which is why it’s so critical for this cohort to have access to leadership training and development.
With a focus on building confident, connected leaders in the not-for-profit space, the American Express Leadership Academy has been developing cross-sector leadership training since 2007, and since 2023 the program has been delivered exclusively through the collaborative efforts of American Express and global not-for-profit Common Purpose.
Online training, workshops and gatherings give not for profit leaders the chance to be inspired and better connected.
The six-month program hosts three annual academies that bring together participants in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and the EMEA regions.
Each year, a four-day event is held in each region as part of the learning journey. This year, more than 70 NFP leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Sydney. Over the six months, participants take part in online training, including workshops led by leadership experts, one-on-one coaching, networking and immersive experiences.
“Delegates are able to develop more knowledge about what’s going on around them across their sector and the rest of society,” said Common Purpose group chief executive, Adirupa Sengupta.
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The Sydney gathering heard from international cricketer and vice-captain of India’s women’s cricket team, Smriti Mandhana, about what it means to be a resilient change-maker.
Mandhana started playing cricket at a time when very few women played the sport, rising quickly through the ranks from junior level to international stardom, which required immense fortitude. She emphasised how important it is as a leader to reconcile failures and successes.
Vice-captain of India’s women’s cricket team, Smriti Mandhana.
“You have to understand what’s working for you and what’s not working for you,” Mandhana said.
“No matter if you score 100 or you score a duck, the next day, you still have to start playing again from zero. So, it doesn’t really matter what’s happened in the past. Failure is the time when you understand what you can do better.”
Mandhana left the audience with a message about balancing the mental space you devote to analysing setbacks versus how you assess your successes. She told the group to avoid falling into rumination and fixation, and recommended meditation and breathing exercises to gain a level head during times of stress.
Common Purpose’s Sengupta said events like the American Express Leadership Academy are vital for NFP leaders to build their resilience and be inspired.
“At Common Purpose, our heart and soul is about giving people the skills, knowledge and networks so they can be a better version of themselves and solve the complex challenges of society for individuals, organisations and communities,” Sengupta said.
“The academy strengthens the sector and gives its leaders the chance to be inspired and better connected. It’s about developing the knowledge to make two plus two into 11, not four, to accelerate their social impact.”
American Express chief corporate affairs officer, Jennifer Skyler, said, “one of the goals of the Leadership Academy is to build bridges between organisations in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. This helps to ensure that everyone has access to the best tools, skills and networks to realise their potential and advance their mission, whether it be for a company, social enterprise or NGO.”
“Going into the leadership academy, I felt I was very consultative and had an understanding of organisational change and change management. But I had never admitted to myself I was a leader until I did the course,” said 2024 academy alumnus Craig Stevens, the CEO of LocalKind, which offers a drop-in support service for vulnerable people living in Sydney.
Stevens was one of three alumni to receive $US25,000 as part of their involvement in Leadership Academy to go towards their nonprofits.
The course gave him a deeper appreciation of how his backstory can help effect change.
Craig Stevens, CEO of LocalKind.
“I learned as a result of this experience I have a story. And that story is linked to our mission and values, and can be used for the good of the organisation in terms of fundraising and raising awareness,” said Stevens.
“It helped me be able to advocate on issues such as domestic violence and trauma-informed care for people who have had complex childhoods and end up homeless or in the justice system.”
Stevens said being part of the American Express Leadership Academy also supported his own career ascension to run a large not-for-profit organisation.
“I started my professional life as a support worker, moving into different roles before becoming a CEO,” he said.
“The academy challenged my thinking on how I can lead through change more kindly and using stories, understanding you’re going to get better results if you bring people along the journey.”
Visit the American Express Newsroom to learn more about the American Express Leadership Academy and other areas of community impact.
