Ushering in a New Era of Collaboration with the First JA Global Alumni Leaders Academy
September 27, 2024
JA Worldwide held the first-ever Global Alumni Leaders Academy last month in conjunction with EMERGE, the JA Global Leadership Summit. In the days leading up to the summit kickoff, JA and INJAZ alumni from around the world came together to forge a global alumni vision and foster deeper connections. The global academy built on the success of last year’s in-person regional academies in Uganda for JA Africa and in Malaysia for JA Asia Pacific. JA Alumni Europe and JA Americas joined the Alumni Leaders Academy this year, making it a truly global initiative.
The Academy saw participation from 70 alumni leaders representing 48 nations, showcasing the diverse and dynamic nature of the global JA alumni network. JA Worldwide’s Sarah Rapp, Director of Alumni & People Engagement, and Erin Sawyer, Chief People Development Officer at JA Worldwide hosted the event. JA alum Christian Erfurt, CEO & Founder of Be My Eyes, delivered the keynote address, sharing his inspiring journey and vision for the future. JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani and COO Caroline Jenner also welcomed alumni.
Throughout the two-day Academy, alumni leaders presented their strategies, goals, and visions for the future. The main goals centered around three key areas:
Cultural exchange and collaboration: Alumni learned from one another’s unique perspectives, promoting a culture of global cooperation and shared learning.
Leadership development: Participants focused on growing leadership skills, strategic thinking, and innovative problem-solving through interactive workshops and sessions.
Creating a shared global alumni vision: This vision aims to guide future collaborations, inspiring alumni to become changemakers in their local communities and on a global scale. Key areas of focus include sustainability, education, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. By establishing common goals, the alumni network can channel their combined efforts into high-impact initiatives.
One of the academy’s key outcomes was the creation of a framework for ongoing communication, collaboration, and support across the JA alumni network. This framework ensures that relationships and initiatives continue to thrive long after the academy and the summit, serving as a blueprint for future programs and global partnerships.
The Global Alumni Leaders Academy marked the beginning of a new era of collaboration and innovation for JA Worldwide. With a shared vision and a commitment to making a tangible difference, the alumni network is poised to create lasting impact both locally and globally.
