International Leadership Association Receives $200,000 Grant From the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Supporting Regional Leadership Conferences in South Africa and Latin America
by Debra DeRuyver
Debra DeRuyver is ILA's Communications Director. She has been a part of ILA's story since 1999 and can be reached at dderuyver@ila-net.org or 1.202.470.4818 x102.
22 June 2017 // Silver Spring, Maryland
The International Leadership Association (ILA) is partnering with organizations working in South Africa and Latin America to host its signature leadership events that bring together professionals — leadership coaches and consultants, educators and students, scholars and researchers, and public leaders and executives — working at the nexus of leadership theory and practice. Scheduled to take place in 2018, the events will focus on evidence-based, action-oriented solutions to pressing leadership problems, particularly in the areas of health care leadership and racial equity.
The events are supported by a $200,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan. “The Kellogg Leadership Studies Project played a key role in ILA’s founding and we’re pleased that the W. K. Kellogg Foundation is supporting this next stage of ILA’s growth as we continue to expand globally,” explained Cynthia Cherrey, ILA President and CEO.
The lack of leadership and deepening income equality are two of the world’s most pressing challenges. An effective, strategic, and high leverage way to impact these and other key issues is to support leaders and those who focus on leadership theory and development so that they are able to bridge differences, develop new models and practices, and work together to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
For many of us, it is increasingly unnerving to read about, and challenging to keep up with, the daily changes taking place in our world, our countries, and our communities. Turbulence has emerged as the new normal and the mindset of leading from turbulence to stability is antiquated. In this context it is crucial that we challenge existing assumptions and propose new ones as we reconsider what is needed to effectively lead toward a humane world of resilient communities and thriving organizations. ILA’s 19th annual conference, Leadership in Turbulent Times, will focus on these themes October 12-15, 2017 in Brussels, Belgium.
In addition to the events being planned in South Africa and Latin America, ILA will be developing additional resources in these focus areas including webinar programming and online access to leadership information and resources via its social media presence, online publications, and virtual forums.
“With a rich multiplicity of members hailing from more than 70 countries and representing many different sectors, disciplines, and cultural identities, the ILA is a preeminent place to inclusively tackle complex issues with complex thinking,” shared Katherine Tyler Scott, ILA Board Chair. “As a global organization, we value the expertise and knowledge that our members from the public and private sectors bring to the table in the pursuit of new knowledge and more effective leadership practices and we look forward to participating in these conversation in South Africa and Latin America.”
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About the International Leadership Association
The International Leadership Association (ILA) is the largest international and interdisciplinary membership organization devoted solely to working at the nexus of leadership theory and practice. With members in over 70 countries, ILA is the only global network that brings together leadership scholars and researchers, educators and students, coaches and consultants, public leaders and executives. Through its interactive network, conferences, webinars, and publications, the association unites people with a passion for more effective, integrated leadership solutions. The world needs better leadership and ILA aims to make a difference. Join us at www.ila-net.org.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life.
The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.