Impactful Evening Will Also Offer Ample Networking Opportunities for NAF High School Students and Representatives from Top Companies
(April 28, 2022 – New York, NY) – NAF, a national nonprofit and network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that high school students are college, career, and future ready, will be holding its 18th annual Benefit on Wednesday, May 11th, at the Mandarin Oriental, New York. This year, NAF is proud to honor Stephen J. Squeri, Chairman & CEO of American Express, and celebrate 35 years of partnership with American Express.
NAF Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Dughi, said, “It is an honor to celebrate this long-standing and committed partner who has been an integral part of NAF’s history. Together, we are driven by a shared vision to develop a stronger workforce and provide students from all backgrounds with equal opportunities. Thank you, American Express, for leading the way and inspiring other companies to provide access to opportunity for students while gaining a competitive edge in shaping their pipelines — here’s to another 35+ years!”
“We are proud to back NAF and help high school students thrive as they prepare for future careers,” said Stephen J. Squeri, Chairman & CEO of American Express. “There’s no better investment than backing the next generation. I encourage other businesses to get involved and experience the difference that NAF makes in getting students ready for the strong and sustainable workforce that our country needs.”
History of NAF and American Express
American Express joined forces with NAF in 1987 and the NAF Board of Directors reflects the strong history of partnership between the organizations, with three sitting members—James D. Robinson, III; Kenneth I. Chenault; and NAF Founder & Chairman, Sanford I. Weill, who will join NAF for the Benefit. This multinational corporation has generously invested in NAF with an immense lifetime giving of $24 million dollars enhancing foundational programs, as well as those that were shorter-term and those that continue to this day.
The 2022 Benefit will be a memorable opportunity to illustrate the legacy of NAF and American Express being in one room together.
American Express Helped to Launch NAF’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
Founded 35 years ago as the Academy of Travel & Tourism, with locations in New York City and Miami, with support from the American Express Foundation, NAF’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT) currently encompasses 87 academies in 18 states with nearly 19,000 students. Of these AOHT students, over 80% identify as students of color, 75% are eligible for free/reduced-price lunch, and one in five are English language learners. In NAF’s official 2020-21 survey of AOHT students, over 90% reported that work-based learning experiences at their NAF academy primed them for the world of work, and 99% of AOHT seniors graduated from high school.
In addition to the financial backing, American Express also championed the development and launch of the entire Academy of Hospitality & Tourism curricula, which includes courses on Customer Service, Event Planning, Geography for Tourism, Hospitality Marketing, and Sustainable Tourism. All the curricula are currently available on NAF’s recently launched Future Ready Learning.
Dedicated Partner Has Also Been Instrumental in Other Areas of NAF’s Growth and Expansion
Additionally, American Express has been a strong proponent of professional development for NAF’s network of future leaders—including educators, administrators, and advisory board members—particularly through our annual professional development conference, NAF Next. They were instrumental in the creation of Leadership Fellows, a dynamic cohort of business and education leaders dedicated to conceiving transformative opportunities for NAF students and were a founding advocate for a key element of NAF’s program: The Annual Academy Assessment, which measures an academy’s strengths and challenges in implementing NAF’s results-driven educational design that readies students for college and careers. American Express has also provided much-needed funds for NAF scholarships.
Event is Expected to Raise $1.5 million for NAF
High school students from eight NAF academies throughout the country will be in attendance and presenting their work-based learning projects to representatives from America’s top companies, such as Lenovo, World Wide Technology, Verizon, and more, and demonstrating how they have used their classroom and real-world experiences to prepare for college and careers. Another highlight of the evening will be a panel discussion with NAF CEO, Lisa Dughi; Honoree, Stephen J. Squeri; and two NAF students.
The Benefit raises funds to sustain NAF’s mission nationally, and supports programming, training, and materials for NAF teachers, directors, and students throughout the country.
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Media Contacts:
NAF
Courtney Savoia, (201) 407-8513
About NAF:
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF’s educational design is uniquely comprehensive in its approach to skill development, enabling students of all backgrounds to participate in a meaningful education and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to integrate STEM infused, career-relevant curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.
NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework.
During the 2021-22 school year, over 120,000 students attended 618 NAF academies across 35 states, plus DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In 2021, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 87% of graduates planning to go to college. For more information, please visit: https://naf.org/