American Express Leadership Academy

Global Alumni Summit 2021

April 27-29, 2021 (virtual)

Our Path Forward: Lead. Listen. Flourish.

The American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit was held virtually on April 27-29, 2021. The theme for this year’s Summit was Our Path Forward: Lead. Listen. Flourish. The Summit brought together more than 200 Leadership Academy Alumni and Partners from 31 countries for continued professional development, relationship building and collaboration. The virtual Summit featured keynote events that were open to the general public and are available below.

Summit Highlights

  • Daily Keynote Speaker - Each day of the Summit included discussions with social sector leaders from around the world. View the recordings below:
    • April 27
      Lead: Featuring Trabian Shorters, CEO of BMe Communities.

      This event will also include the announcement of the 2021 Leadership Academy Alumni Award Honoree.

      Watch the keynote
    • April 28
      Listen: Featuring Adirupa Sengupta, Lynna Chandra, and Monica J. Keretts-Makau

      Join three established global leaders as they share their perspectives on listening.

      Watch the keynote
    • April 29
      Flourish: Featuring Greta Rios, Margianta Surahman Juhanda Dinata, and Terri Broussard Williams

      Join talented innovators from Indonesia and Mexico as they discuss personal motivations, team inspiration, and leading into this year and beyond.

      Watch the keynote

About American Express’ Leadership Initiatives

One of American Express’ three philanthropic platforms is Developing Leaders. For over a decade, American Express has devoted significant resources to creating and funding programs that strengthen leaders within nonprofit and social purpose organizations working to solve the world's biggest challenges, with a specific focus on leaders who are people of color and from underrepresented groups. From 2007 to 2020, American Express invested nearly $100 million to develop more than 150,000 social purpose leaders who are tackling some of society's most complex issues.

About the American Express Leadership Academy

Founded in 2008, the American Express Leadership Academy builds the personal, business and leadership skills of emerging nonprofit and social purpose leaders through multi-day, in-person trainings. The initiative has grown to a global program, training world-class leaders who work in the areas of social justice, education, the arts, health, the environment, and more. From 2008 to 2020, we hosted more than 160 Leadership Academy programs around the world, training more than 5,400 nonprofit and social purpose leaders. Learn more.

About the Summit

The American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit is presented in partnership with Atlas Corps, a nonprofit organization focused on developing leaders, strengthening organizations and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship for skilled professionals. Since 2006, Atlas Corps has engaged more than 1,000 global leaders from 103 countries in international exchange and leadership programs at more than 300 Host Organizations in the United States, Colombia, Australia and Malaysia. More details at www.atlascorps.org.

Academy Partners

From 2008 to 2020, we hosted more than 160 Leadership Academy programs around the world, training more than 5,400 nonprofit and social purpose leadersClick on a partner below or visit our Partners page to learn more.