The American Express Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for its 2026 programme, a fully funded learning experience designed to strengthen and rejuvenate leadership across the global non-profit sector. For more than a decade, the Academy has supported non-profit leaders to build resilience, deepen their leadership capacity, and navigate organisational challenges with confidence and clarity.
This six-month programme blends hands-on learning with strategic reflection. Participants engage in a series of five online workshops and a four-day residential gathering, complemented by a 360-degree leadership assessment and personalised coaching. The experience is rooted in real-world challenges and emphasises practical application, peer learning, and professional growth.
Who Should Apply
The Academy is designed for senior non-profit leaders who are committed to strengthening their leadership and driving meaningful change. Ideal candidates are those who:
- Seek continuous learning and professional growth
- Demonstrate grit, adaptability, and perseverance
- View challenges as opportunities for innovation
- Maintain a positive mindset through uncertainty
- Lead proactively and creatively
- Aim to amplify their organisation’s impact
What the Programme Offers
Participants will experience:
Active transformational learning
A highly interactive and experiential approach focused on learning by doing, applying new behaviours, and gaining practical skills.
Real-world relevance
Content shaped by current sector challenges, informed by the experiences of leaders across civil society, government, and business.
Powerful networks
A diverse peer group offering ongoing support, shared problem-solving, and leadership collaboration.
World-class facilitation
Expert facilitators who create a safe, dynamic learning environment for experimentation and honest reflection.
Skills, mindsets, and tools
Exploration of leadership attitudes, strategic thinking, resilience practices, and actionable approaches.
Practical takeaways
Techniques for building your personal brand, developing a growth mindset, strengthening leadership presence, and sustaining yourself during uncertainty.
Programme Themes
The curriculum explores core leadership areas, including:
- Resilient Changemakers Assessment
- Leading Beyond Authority
- Building Resilience
- Storytelling for Connection
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will emerge as:
- More self-aware leaders
- More resilient and grounded decision-makers
- More connected within the non-profit ecosystem
- More purposeful and effective changemakers
Programme Format
Format
Online workshops plus an in-person residential gathering.
In-Person Dates (2026)
- Americas: 17–20 March
- EMEA and UK: 23–26 June
- Asia Pacific: 10–13 November
Cost
The programme is fully funded; participation is free of charge.
How To Apply
Apply here.
Application Deadlines
- Americas: 8 December 2025
- EMEA and UK: 23 February 2026
- Asia Pacific: 13 July 2026
The American Express Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for its 2026 fully funded leadership development programme for senior non-profit leaders. For more than ten years, the Academy has supported changemakers across the non-profit sector to strengthen their leadership capacity, build resilience, and navigate complexity with confidence.
The six-month programme combines five online workshops with a four-day in-person gathering in regional hubs across the Americas, EMEA & UK, and Asia Pacific. Participants engage in experiential, hands-on learning rooted in real organisational challenges and supported by a 360° assessment and personalised coaching. The curriculum emphasises resilience, adaptive leadership, purposeful storytelling, and leading beyond authority.
Ideal applicants are senior non-profit leaders committed to continuous growth, innovation, and positive impact. The programme fosters transformational learning, powerful peer networks, real-world insight from cross-sector leaders, and practical tools to support long-term leadership success.
For more opportunities, click here.
