Deadline: December 8, 2025
The American Express Leadership Academy 2026 – The Americas is now accepting applications for its next cohort. This fully funded leadership development programme is designed to empower high-potential and senior non-profit leaders with the skills, mindset, and global network needed to drive meaningful change in their organisations and communities. Since its inception, the Academy has consistently equipped mission-driven leaders to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership capacity, and accelerate long-term organisational impact.
About the American Express Leadership Academy 2026 – The Americas
The programme provides a transformative six-month leadership journey that blends experiential learning, peer collaboration, and expert facilitation. Focused on developing adaptive, influential, and future-focused leaders, the Academy brings together diverse professionals from across the non-profit sector. Participants engage deeply with leadership challenges, explore innovative practices, and strengthen their ability to lead with authenticity and purpose.
The American Express Leadership Academy 2026 – The Americas offers a unique opportunity to join a vibrant community committed to social change and sector-strengthening leadership.
Programme Structure
Duration and Format
The programme spans six months, combining:
- Online workshops and virtual sessions, designed for deep engagement and practical learning.
- A 4-day in-person gathering, scheduled for 17–20 March 2026, where participants connect, collaborate, and engage in immersive leadership activities.
Cost
Participation is fully funded, ensuring wider access for qualified non-profit leaders across the Americas region.
Learning Experience
The programme is:
- Highly interactive, using real-world leadership challenges to spark insights.
- Practical and hands-on, with tools that participants can apply immediately in their organisations.
- Community-driven, connecting participants with peers for shared learning, problem-solving and ongoing support.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the programme, applicants must:
- Be a senior leader or an emerging executive-level leader within a registered non-profit organisation.
- Hold a role that carries significant influence, either internally or externally.
- Demonstrate a strong track record of innovation, impact, and commitment to organisational and community transformation.
- Show readiness to fully commit to the online sessions, in-person gathering, peer engagement activities, and post-programme community participation.
- Embrace the programme’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, which welcomes leaders of all identities, backgrounds, orientations, faiths, socioeconomic circumstances, and individuals from disabled communities.
What Successful Applicants Gain
Participants will benefit from:
- Strengthened personal and organisational leadership capacity.
- Access to expert facilitators, leadership frameworks, and practical tools for navigating complexity.
- A diverse peer network of non-profit leaders across the region.
- Enhanced ability to innovate, collaborate and amplify impact within their organisations.
- A supportive, lifelong community that extends well beyond the six-month programme.
Application Details
- Deadline: 8 December 2025
- Cohort: The Americas
- Format: Hybrid (online + in-person)
- In-person Location: 17–20 March 2026
- Funding: Fully funded
Next Steps
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to accelerate your leadership journey, this programme provides an exceptional opportunity to grow, connect, and lead with greater impact.
📌 Need Support?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
🔗 Application Links
- Apply Here: Click to Apply
- Read More About the Programme: Click to Read More
