Thunderbird School of Global Management

On September 10, alumni and esteemed guests of the community gathered at Thunderbird School of Global Management to celebrate the induction of Director General and Dean Griffy-Brown. Arizona State University President Michael Crow and Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales provided insightful remarks, welcoming Griffy-Brown into her new role and a new chapter at Thunderbird. After the ceremony, guests gathered at The Pub to continue the celebration.

For a full album of photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thunderbirdschool/albums/72177720320271403/

Exciting news! Starting fall 2025, Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU will unite its undergraduate and graduate programs under one roof at Thunderbird Global Headquarters in downtown Phoenix.

“Our undergraduate programs have always been part of our DNA; now, by bringing together our undergraduate and graduate students under the same roof, we’re continuing to strengthen the Thunderbird Mystique,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird.

The Bachelor of Global Management (BGM) and the Bachelor of Science in International Trade (BSIT) will now be integrated on-site with Thunderbird's existing graduate programs, reinforcing Thunderbird's commitment to a dynamic, global education model and providing students with even greater opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and innovation.

Read more: https://news.asu.edu/20240911-university-news-thunderbird-asu-unifies-undergraduate-graduate-programs-global

Join us for Thunderbird and beyond, an engaging meeting designed to bring the Thunderbird student community together. This event, intended for Master of Global Management students, will provide an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from Director General and Dean Charla Griffy-Brown as she shares her vision for the future of Thunderbird.

We look forward to a fruitful discussion on September 17 in the Haas Digital Global Forum! Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here: https://tbirdasu.com/3Zam687

One of the perks of being an incoming student was participating in CMC Days! last week, many Thunderbird students had the opportunity to engage in a diverse array of sessions to learn about all things related to the Career Management Center.

Experiential activities, ranging from resume writing to linkedin optimization, reinforced learnings from the ThunderPLD course, helping to prep for future internship or job search applications.

Join us in congratulating the August cohort of DreamCatcher graduates! Over 30 Native American women entrepreneurs completed this empowering business development program, and we celebrated their accomplishments during the graduation ceremony on Friday, August 23.

Project DreamCatcher was created by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation in partnership with Thunderbird to build the capacity of women business owners from Arizona tribes. The graduates represent a diverse group, with participants from the Hualapai, Navajo, San Carlos Apache, White Mountain Apache, Tohono O’odham, and other Tribal Nations. These photos capture the pride, resilience, and success of these remarkable women as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

For a full album of photos: https://tbirdasu.com/3AKWKUe

This summer, 12 undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Global Futures and the Thunderbird School of Global Management participated in the inaugural “Japan–U.S. Global Leadership Program in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” cohort in Japan. The program is an international joint educational initiative hosted by Hiroshima University in partnership with three U.S. institutions: ASU, the University of Texas at Austin and Purdue University.

During the program, students and faculty from partnering universities worked together to integrate AI across sectors like agriculture, health care, community service and government policies, with a focus on Japan's society.

“We are thrilled to provide our ASU students with this invaluable opportunity to cultivate a global mindset while connecting cutting-edge innovation with meaningful societal impact,” said Eusebio Scornavacca, director of the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and professor at Thunderbird. Scornavacca is the ASU lead person of the joint initiative.

Read more: https://news.asu.edu/20240826-science-and-technology-asu-students-explore-role-ai-future-work-and-society-japan

Wishing a wonderful Labor Day holiday to our Thunderbird community! We will see you tomorrow. 🌐

Last week, we proudly welcomed our new undergraduate students to Thunderbird School of Global Management! We are thrilled to have these bright minds to join our diverse and dynamic community. Here's to the future leaders of the world—welcome to Thunderbird!

From Shanghai to Phoenix, and across generations, the Thunderbird legacy continues! Meet Jason Wang, one of our newest T-birds whose journey began right here in Phoenix, where he was born, while his father, YouXin Wang, was earning his degree at Thunderbird.

Now a Canadian citizen, Jason is following in his father's global footsteps. YouXin, currently the head of Strategic Projects BG Asia in Shanghai, credits Thunderbird for launching his international career.

"Thunderbird isn't just a school, it's where our family's global story began," says Jason. "I'm excited to create my own chapter here."

Are you ready to be part of a global legacy? Learn how Thunderbird can shape your future, just like it has for generations of global leaders: https://thunderbird.asu.edu/degrees

Join us in welcoming our newest cohort of Executive Master of Global Management (EMGM) students! This incoming cohort is one of the most globally diverse in recent history, with professionals joining the program from countries across the globe, including China, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and South Korea.

We are thrilled to have each of you on this transformative journey with us — here's to an exciting year ahead!

More about our EMGM program here: https://thunderbird.asu.edu/degree/executive/executive-master-global-management

Director General and Dean Charla Griffy-Brown had the pleasure of welcoming President Ichiya Nakamura of IU in Japan to Thunderbird Global Headquarters this week. Thunderbird and IU are excited to start a new chapter in their partnership that encompasses a host of impactful areas of collaboration, including executive education, research, and entrepreneurship.

We are grateful to Ai Konishi, director of our Tokyo regional Center of Excellence (COE), for bringing unique opportunities to Thunderbird, and for our COEs in extending our global reach and further our abiility to forge impactful partnerships.

Thunderbird at ASU ushers in fall semester with record-breaking cohort | ASU News Excitement filled Thunderbird Global Headquarters the morning of Aug. 16, which marked the first day of Foundations, Thunderbird School of Global Management (Thunderbird) at Arizona State University's new student orientation. As students buzzed around the building, dressed to impress in their profes...

Newest T-birds: Join Thunderbird Student Government TOMORROW for Club Day! Come learn and hear from different clubs and all the great student engagement opportunities. Have the opportunity to speak with club leaders and join one of our many student clubs. See you tomorrow starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Haas Digital Global Forum!

A new chapter begins at Thunderbird this fall, as we welcomed a record-breaking cohort of Master of Global Management and Accelerated Master of Global Management candidates. With over 288 incoming students combined from both degree programs, the fall 2024 cohort is the largest in recent history.

Read more: https://news.asu.edu/20240823-sun-devil-community-thunderbird-asu-ushers-fall-semester-recordbreaking-cohort

Thunderbird recently launched an innovative program to empower students to co-create with professors and learn more about the art of effective case writing.

Launched by Mary Teagarden, deputy dean of Thunderbird Knowledge Enterprise and professor of global strategy and Euvin Naidoo, distinguished professor of practice in global accounting, risk and agility at Thunderbird, the Summer Case Writing program is serving as a catalyst for students to collaborate with professors through an in-depth immersion into the art and science of case writing.

Now in its second year, the program emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a vital skill for management leaders, teaching students the nuances of effective communication.

Learn more:

Innovative program at Thunderbird transforms students into case writing experts | ASU News Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University recently launched an innovative program to empower students to co-create with...

Happy first day of classes, T-birds! Go forth and make a difference this year, as we know you will.

Mike Nelson, an alumnus of Thunderbird School of Global Management, has made a significant impact on the email marketing industry. From his time as an Executive MBA student (now the Executive Master of Global Management program), Nelson has risen to prominence with his creation, ReallyGoodEmails.com, a company that has not only redefined how marketers approach email campaigns but has also showcased the immense potential of turning a side project into a groundbreaking platform.

Read more here: https://news.asu.edu/b/20240820-thunderbird-asu-alum-becomes-visionary-behind-successful-email-marketing-platform

As a trained ballet dancer, Hina Adkins is adept at graceful transitions. Now, she’s putting that skill to use offstage.

In May, she gave her final performance for the Ballet Theatre of Phoenix as the Lilac Fairy in “Sleeping Beauty.” This month, she begins as a new undergraduate student at Thunderbird, where she’ll be seeking a bachelor of global management degree at ASU’s West Valley campus.

ASU News spoke to Adkins ahead of the start of the fall semester to give us a glimpse of where she’s been and where she’s going. Read more here: https://news.asu.edu/20240816-sun-devil-community-ballet-dancer-ready-next-act-life-thunderbird-asu-student

Wrapping up an incredible immersion week for our new Master of Leadership and Management (MLM) students!

The packed week included navigating global and regional business environments in TAM505 with Senior Associate Dean Roy Nelson, and delving into group work and final presentations. We made time for some midweek networking at the Pub and connected with faculty, staff, alumni—and made lifelong friends along the way.

The Opening Flag Ceremony -- one of the most cherished moments from every Foundations.

Thunderbird alumni Elysabeth Alfano, chief executive officer of VegTech Invest and advisor to the VegTech Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF, EATV, has an exciting panel up for consideration for !

"Save the World, Really? Food, Energy & EV Experts Come Clean" will explore what we realistically expect regarding novel energy, transportation and food consumption and when will we actually - if ever, given a growing population through 2050 - see meaningful results.

Link here to vote for a fellow T-bird: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/147647.

Today, we kicked off the first day of Foundations, which featured our largest cohort of MGM students yet. It has been a packed day filled with new connections, a special Expat Experiences session, and an exciting presentation about the Global Mindset -- and it's not over yet!

As we gear up for Foundations beginning August 14, we're spotlighting our amazing Foundations leaders!

These students have worked hard all summer to help plan this week's packed schedule of events, discussions, and community building opportunities, as well as prepare communications to the newest cohort of T-birds, and get our new students excited for the journey ahead. Join us in shouting them out and thanking them for all their efforts!

Photo 1: Yuuki Sasao-Reuf '25
Photo 2: Peyton Ament '25
Photo 3: Juan Camilo Quintana '24
Photo 4: Jose Ravaly '25
Photo 5: Mashike Lumbama '24

Just a few more days until Foundations!

Faith Velez’s experience transferring from Estrella Mountain Community College to Thunderbird School of Global Management has proven nothing short of transformative in shaping her career.

Now a Bachelor of Science in International Trade student, she was searching for a program that could offer a global perspective and more specialized opportunities. Thunderbird’s emphasis on international business and management made this transition an ideal choice.

Read more about Faith's transfer journey: https://news.asu.edu/b/20240806-transfer-student-forges-new-path-and-discovers-passion-global-business-thunderbird

Thunderbird's Spacebirds prove time and time again that they are leading the way in the commercial space economy.

Recently, KPMG US published "Astro Economy," a digital publication detailing the future of commercial space, including "perspectives and explorations into the dynamic currents shaping various industrial sectors, not only within the confines of our planet, but also extending into the vast expanse of the cosmos."

The landmark publication features contributions from alumni Brian Miske, who also led the curation of the ebook, as well as pieces from alumni Lee Anderson, and faculty Hina Kazmi and Zaheer Ali.

Delve into their pieces below and see for yourself the impact our Spacebirds are making in the industry.

KPMG Astro Economy Welcome to a series of enlightening discourses that are much more than a read—they are a catalyst for innovation, expansive exploration, and strategic foresight. We call this a compass of opportunities, a strategic tool to navigate the immensity of the burgeoning space economy. Compiled within the...

And she's on to the finals! Thunderbird MGM graduate Jorinde van Klinken '22 has advanced to the final round of the Women's Discus Throw at the Olympic Games. Tune in on Monday to see her take on the best in the world, and show your Thunderbird pride for one of our incredible alumni during one of the most acclaimed events in sports. We're rooting for you, Jorinde!

Thunderbird’s Euvin Naidoo presented on July 8 at the Government Palace in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as part of the opening plenary at the 2024 Mongolia Economic Forum. Invited to provide remarks at the kick-off session for this gathering that brought together leaders, Ambassadors, and international development finance institutions from across Europe, the USA and Asia, Professor Naidoo shared his insights on best practice public sector management, innovation, and agile leadership required to support a thriving liberal democracy and attract foreign direct investment.

The session was moderated by Richard Quest, one of CNN’s foremost international business correspondents and anchors. Naidoo joined the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, Albert Park, chief economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other distinguished panelists for this important opening session that aimed to highlight key growth sectors and opportunities for international investment into Mongolia.

The Mongolia Economic Forum is a premier national conference dedicated to tackling the critical economic and societal challenges facing Mongolia, with a mission to accelerate the nation's development. Established in 2010, the convening gathers high-level representatives from the government, private sector, civil society, academic institutions, and international organizations for open discussions on green energy, urban development, road transport, intensive agriculture, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence.

Join Thunderbird at the TerraSpace Showcase on Saturday, August 3, at the ASU California Center! This is a unique opportunity to explore the future of space technology and its earthside applications.

The special event features a keynote and panel discussion with industry leaders in space tech, government, and national security, a fireside chat with domestic and international mining representatives, overview presentation by TerraSpace founders, and more.

Come support our Thunderbird community and discover the innovations shaping our future: https://tbirdasu.com/3WLIBPn