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Key Takeaways from the American Express Leadership Academy

The recent American Express Leadership Academy held in New York marked a pivotal gathering, uniting over 80 emerging leaders from the nonprofit sector across the Americas. This four-day event, created in 2007, aims to empower nonprofit leaders through skill-building and networking opportunities that transcend their immediate industries, prompting them towards collaborative, innovative, and resilient leadership.

This year's program featured discussions led by three prominent speakers: Paris Hilton, Leslie Odom, Jr., and Taj Gibson, each sharing their unique journeys and insights into authentic leadership and community engagement.

Paris Hilton: The Voice of Influence

Paris Hilton, a notable businesswoman, innovator, and philanthropist, emphasized the importance of authentic personal branding and using influence to effect positive change. During her session, she expressed:

• - Bridging Voices: Hilton noted that creating safe spaces for storytelling encourages deeper connections and broader narratives. “Once you open the door and tell people it’s safe to share their lived experience too, a lot more stories come to light. That’s a domino effect each movement needs.”
• - Empowerment through Influence: She spoke of the responsibility that comes with influence, stating, “It’s about using that influence and using that impact to help others and shine a light on things that matter to them.”
• - Championing Authentic Leaders: Hilton highlighted that true advocates are often those who have personally navigated adversity: “People that are the best advocates are the ones that have lived experience, who are survivors.”

Leslie Odom, Jr.: Turning Passion into Purpose

Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. shared his views on the role of passion in leadership. His perspectives included:

• - Artistry and Leadership: He expressed that “an artist spends his entire life trying to get back to the place where his heart was first opened up,” illustrating the connection between artistry and leadership.
• - Youth Empowerment: Odom underscored the significance of arts education and actively supporting young talents, stating: “I am active in supporting arts education for children. There is no shortage of need.”
• - Opportunity Preparation: When discussing how to seize opportunities, he advised others to always be ready: “When the opportunity comes, have the thing you want to say prepared.”

Taj Gibson: Community-Centric Leadership

Taj Gibson, an NBA veteran and founder of The Taj Gibson Foundation, provided insights on his philanthropic initiatives aimed at supporting New York's youth.

• - Community Responsibility: Gibson emphasized his dedication, declaring, “My community raised me. That’s what I do it for. I am not a follower. I am a leader.”
• - Navigating Challenges: He explained the complexities of leadership within the nonprofit sector, highlighting the importance of resilience in the face of challenges: “Being a leader... sometimes you take the good and you take the bad, where nobody is answering the phone.”
• - Self-Discovery in Leadership: Lastly, Gibson spoke about the journey of self-understanding as critical to being an effective leader: “Leadership came from myself, understanding me first.”

The American Express Leadership Academy symbolizes an enduring commitment by American Express to promote nonprofit leadership as a catalyst for social progress. With over $100 million invested since its inception, the academy has supported more than 165,000 leaders globally, providing vital resources and connections that help them achieve their missions.

Looking ahead, the academy will continue in 2026, with programs set to take place in New York, London, and APAC locations. Applications are now open, with the deadline for the Americas cohort set for December 1, 2025.

In summary, the discussions at this year's Leadership Academy served to inspire a new wave of leaders committed to driving positive, transformative changes in their communities.