The UCLA Anderson School of Management will honor Kenneth Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express, today at a lunchtime event at the Korn Convocation Hall.
At the event, Chenault will speak about the challenges that leaders face today and give advice to students on how they can develop their own leadership philosophies.
Later tonight, Chenault will receive the John Wooden Global Leadership Award, which honors individuals who display leadership and service to the community.
This award is part of the John Wooden Leadership Program, which recognizes leaders who embody the principles of former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, said Jill Hisey, director at the Anderson School.
The program was created after Wooden spoke to the school in 2005 about his own experiences as a coach and leader.
“It was so pertinent that we realized that we, as a school, should use his tools and techniques to teach people in management,” Hisey said.
This is the second year that the award has been presented. Last year’s recipient was Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks.
Chenault was selected by a committee comprised of students, alumni and faculty based on his similarities to Wooden’s leadership techniques.
“He’s enthusiastic, loyal and has team spirit,” Hisey said. “He empowers all levels of employees to be part of the larger company.”
This event will be followed by the Global Leadership Award Dinner held later that night at the Beverly Hills Hilton. At the dinner, Chenault will be presented with his award and will discuss the challenges of leadership with Wooden in a forum moderated by Fortune magazine managing editor Andy Serwer.
In addition, two Anderson students will receive $25,000 fellowship grants as part of the award. Recipients were chosen based on their leadership in previous careers, as well as their involvement at the Anderson school. The two students will be recognized at the dinner.
“I believe that a leader is a well-rounded individual,” said Dana Taylor, a graduate student in the MBA program and one of the fellowship grant recipients.
She added that her responsibilities at the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund organization, as well as her involvement in groups at Anderson, have helped her to become a better leader.
The scholarship pays for tuition for a year at Anderson.
By eliminating this financial worry, fellow scholarship recipient Shahrouz Golshani, a graduate student in the Fully Employed MBA Program, said he hopes to improve his initiative: 1000 homes.
The program was founded by Golshani and is designed to combat homelessness in Los Angeles County.
“I can focus my efforts on the initiative,” Golshani said. “I think it is commendable that Anderson is rewarding leadership because it is a value I really believe in.”