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Thunderbird welcome article

Thunderbird welcomes most diverse, international cohort of students

Thunderbird welcomes a new era of future global leaders and managers and marks the start of the fall 2023 semester with a record-breaking cohort.

The fall 2023 master of global management (MGM) and accelerated MGM cohort is the most diverse and international cohort in Thunderbird's recent history, with over 84% of the class coming from a country outside of the United States. Thunderbird incoming students will also be joining over 15,000 international students at ASU at large.

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Welcome to Karen Evans

Welcoming Karen Evans, Thunderbird's new executive director of engagement

Thunderbird is pleased to welcome the newest addition to the growing Thunderbird team, Executive Director of Engagement Karen Evans. Karen joined Thunderbird in July of this year, relocating from the UK with her family. She is responsible for leading Thunderbird’s fundraising strategy and working with our community of alumni and supporters across the globe.

Prior to joining Thunderbird, Karen was director of fundraising at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, where her responsibilities included leading fundraising and alumni relations activity, and the development of HiVE (Health Innovation in a Virtual Environment), a pioneering virtual incubator designed to accelerate new solutions for global health. Karen also spent nine years at the University of Liverpool, in various alumni relations and fundraising leadership roles.

She is a member of the first cohort to receive the Institute of Fundraising Advanced Diploma in Fundraising and holds an undergraduate degree from Durham University, as well as an MBA from the University of Manchester. She is a trustee of Inhive Global.

Of joining the Thunderbird engagement team, Karen said, “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Thunderbird and ASUF. Thunderbird plays such a critical role in developing the future global leaders who will address the future challenges facing humanity and combined with ASU's strengths in innovation and leadership in the SDGs, means that we have an incredible opportunity to genuinely shape the future of our planet. I am excited to work with our donors and alumni to bring these opportunities to life."

three professors join Thunderbird faculty

Three professors join Thunderbird faculty

Thunderbird has announced the addition of three distinguished professors to its faculty for the upcoming 2023–24 academic year: Susan Harmeling, Barbara Pecherot and Aneel Iqbal.

Director General and Dean Dr. Sanjeev Khagram introduced these accomplished educators at the start of the semester — with their expertise in global leadership, management, and business education promising lasting impact to Thunderbird's academic success.

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Dual-degree programs at Thunderbird

ASU expands global impact through new partnerships, dual-degree programs

This fall, 33 AUK graduate students successfully transferred into the Master of Leadership and Management (MLM) degree program at Thunderbird. By May 2024, students who successfully complete the program will graduate with both an MS in global management from American University Kyiv and a MLM degree from ASU.

"We are honored to be a part of the AUK program and provide accessible, high-quality education to our 33 Ukrainian students," said Director General and Dean Dr. Sanjeev Khagram. "Our vision of a world with inclusive and sustainable prosperity and peace remains our steadfast mindset, and we are committed to contributing to the advancement of all communities across the globe."

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Alumni Spotlight

Sara Gordon highlight

Sara Gordon '89 named to Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2023 list

Thunderbird alumna Sara Gordon has been recognized for her outstanding achievements by being named to the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business of 2023 list by AZ Business Magazine. The award, which is only given to a woman once in her lifetime, recognizes her fearlessness, leadership, and innovative contributions to Arizona's business landscape.

As managing director and senior lending specialist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Gordon brings with her over four decades of invaluable experience in the financial industry. Leveraging the vast resources of J.P. Morgan, she assists clients in simplifying and enhancing their lives with personalized banking products and services.

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Upcoming Events

Thunderfest

Get ready for Thunderfest

September through November | Alumni chapters around the world

Thunderbird is excited to launch the inaugural Thunderfest, a series of events that celebrates the Thunderbird Mystique, fosters global connections, and inspires international topics and conversations.

We are inviting chapters around the world to participate by hosting a Thunderfest event any time September through November. It will be a great opportunity to get additional T-birds excited and involved in our chapters, and to connect with globally-minded individuals and globally-focused organizations interested in networking and learning more about Thunderbird.

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Donor Spotlight

Donor Spotllight

Julie Pink '94 donates lead contribution to Denver Chapter Scholarship Fund

What led you to give back to Thunderbird?

Contributing to a scholarship fund is a great way to attract students from different socio-economic backgrounds to Thunderbird while paying it forward to those needing financial support in their pursuit of a global education.

Why do you feel it is important, as an alumna, to philanthropically support Thunderbird?

Investing in Thunderbird is crucial to maintaining and growing its legacy as a top educator of global leaders committed to a world of peace, prosperity, and sustainability.

What excites you the most about the future and the next generation of global leaders?

The next generation of global leaders have both the opportunity and responsibility to guide how technological advancements are used to solve some of our greatest global challenges in a way that progresses societies.

What advice do you have for Thunderbird students as they embark on the next chapter of their lives?

Carry forward the Thunderbird spirit of cross-cultural curiosity, collaboration, and respect; and promote these values in the workplace.

Julie is leading the way in establishing the new scholarship endowment in support of future T-birds from Colorado. Learn more via the button below.

Colorado Chapter Scholarship page

Lifelong Learning

MLM-FI header

Master of Leadership and Management with a specialization in Financial Integrity

The Master of Leadership and Management with a specialization in Financial Integrity (MLM-FI) is the premier graduate-level program in anti-money laundering, combatting the financing of terrorism, and targeted sanctions avoidance law, policy, and practice. To be truly effective, professionals must be knowledgeable about the law and policy of each of these measures. The MLM-FI degree program is carefully and expressly designed to accomplish exactly that goal.

The program is taught over a series of two-day weekends over a 12-month period at the ASU Barrett & O'Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C.

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Emerging Markets OE

Leadership in Emerging Markets executive certificate

December 4-7, 2023 (Phoenix, AZ)

Great leaders leave a legacy of great accomplishments, impacting their organizations and their people. While leaders begin by setting the direction and expectations, the bulk of their energies are devoted to aligning their organizations, developing and motivating their people, and managing performance.

Thunderbird's executive certificate in Leadership in Emerging Markets equips professionals with the skills to lead in dynamic environments — ones that often lack resources and role models. Leaders will emerge from this program reaping the unparalleled benefits and rewards that come with igniting change in their organizations and honing their leadership style and roadmap.

Save 50% with code: BDA15E

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Creative Industries OE

Accelerating Leadership and Management of Global Creative Industries executive certificate

January 20-21, 2024 (Dubai, UAE)

Global Creative Industries are driving dramatic and far-reaching changes in business, culture, and society. As a vital source of transformative ideas, these industries are also remaking themselves as new technologies emerge and talent is mixed with deep and enriching traditions of creativity and innovation.

Thunderbird’s executive certificate in Accelerating Leadership and Management of Global Creative Industries features leading academic faculty and coaches, creative business leaders, and valuable learning materials customized for those transforming the creative industries and themselves.

Save 50% with code: BDA15E

Learn more

Space Leadership OE course

Space Leadership, Business, and Policy executive certificate

November 5–9 (Washington, D.C.)

Space is booming. Learn to lead in the new space economy. An increasing number of commercial startups and emerging entrepreneurs are building their business models around products or services for space markets. From NASA’s budget expanding for the first time in decades to the establishment of the United States Space Force, the space sector is boldly making new commitments to the final frontier. This certificate features powerful guest speakers, valuable learning materials, and more.

Taught by globally recognized space leaders and distinguished academic faculty, participants will learn from experts and practitioners how to discover growth opportunities in the space industry.

Save 50% with code: BDA15E

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Faculty Spotlight

Financial integrity faculty spotlight

Financial integrity: Navigating new dynamics and preparing future leaders

Richard Gordon, Professor

Money laundering is the act of making illicit funds that are obtained through criminal activity appear legitimate. Drug and human trafficking, smuggling, corruption, and other crimes tend to generate large amounts of money.

For criminals to financially benefit while concealing their illicit activity, they use many practices to "clean" the money. If you've seen the hit television series “Breaking Bad,” you have an idea of what this looks like.

Learn more

Stay Connected

Update your contact information

Be sure to update your preferred contact information on T-bird Connect to receive the latest communications from Thunderbird and your local alumni chapter. Need assistance with activating or accessing your T-bird Connect account? Contact the Thunderbird Office of Alumni Engagement by email or phone at +1 602-496-7125.

Update here

Download the T-bird Connect app

Download the T-bird Connect app and access a suite of alumni resources right from your mobile device including the ability to find a fellow T-bird, access the roster of alumni chapters and affinity groups, and participate in signature programs including the Thunderbird Mentorship Program.

Activate your T-bird Connect account today by clicking here.

You can also watch our step-by-step guide for more details on signing up.

Download for iOS
Download for Android

Request your Thunderbird alumni email address

All alumni have access to a Thunderbird alumni email account. If you haven’t received one or need assistance logging in, please contact the Thunderbird IT department via the button below. You can log into your Thunderbird alumni email account here.

Request an alumni email account

Estate planning resources: Available to Thunderbird alumni at no cost

Are you ready to plan your will or trust? We would like to give you a free Estate Planning Guide. This information can help you successfully plan your estate and avoid an accidental disinheritance. Click below to request a copy today.

Request Guide

 
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Email Published Date
September 2023
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