Class of 2006 Thunderbird School of Global Management
Honoring the Thunderbird Global Legacy
Dionne Najafi,
1977
F. Francis Najafi, Class of
Francis has also devoted significant time and resources to causes in the public interest. He currently serves on the Board of directors of EastWest Institute and the PARSA Community Foundation, he is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI), and serves as Governor of the ULI Foundation. He is also active in the World President’s Organization (WPO) and Chief Executive’s Organization (CEO). Locally, he is a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), served as a Trustee of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and now is an “ For us, it is important to support individuals and institutions that we trust, and it is also critical that our giving is leveraged to create something bigger.”
The Thunderbird School of Global Management is indeed fortunate to have among its advocate-leaders individuals who actively demonstrate through their professional lives and community leadership the embodiment of what it is to be an ethical global citizen – a Thunderbird. This powerful relationship extends through every aspect of a Thunderbird’s life – and is what brings us all together as leaders, innovators, and change makers.
– Francis and Dionne Najafi
The Najafi Story Francis Najafi, ’77 and Dionne Najafi, ’06 have actively demonstrated their advocacy and support of Thunderbird spanning collectively 42 years. They represent a couple whose dedication to family, business, community, and country extend into everything they pursue shaped by integrity and loyalty. Since his graduation with a Masters in International Management, Francis has shown his global fluency fostered at Thunderbird in everything he develops with a keen eye for details and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Francis founded Pivotal Group, a diversified investment company primarily focused on private equity and real estate, and for over 35 years he has developed amazing projects with talented teams who carry forth the company mission. Those qualities are what makes him a mentor-leader – core values of a Thunderbird.
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Dionne, who also earned her Masters in International Management at Thunderbird, has turned her leadership skills toward numerous philanthropic organizations including chairing and co-chairing projects for ASU’s Women & Philanthropy, which inspires and empowers accomplished women to become philanthropic investors and leaders. She also is instrumental in guiding key fundraising activities for the internationally renowned Barrow Neurological Institute where she and Francis recently established the Neurosurgical Oncology Chair at the Institute. At the presentation at Barrow they stated: “For us, it is important to support individuals and institutions that we trust, and it is also critical that our giving is leveraged to create something bigger.” Their broad visionary mindset embedded in the global narrative sets a standard of excellence that is the Najafis – that is Thunderbird. The Najafi Impact Clearly, Francis and Dionne demonstrate a level of influence and leadership that illustrates how Thunderbird is the vanguard of the vanguard among peer academic institutions globally. Their leadership is evidenced in their philanthropic efforts making a profound impact in all things they pursue. The Najafi’s share that, “We’ve been privileged to work with many of the Valley’s finest nonprofit organizations, which contribute to the rich fabric and quality of life that define Greater Phoenix.”
active member of the Thunderbird Global Alumni Network (TGAN). He is also a Foundation Board member of Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), and is a member of the President’s Club at Arizona State University and serves on the Dean’s Council.
Pictured: Mrs. Barbara Barrett, President Michael Crow, Mrs. Dionne Najafi, Mr. F. Francis Najafi, ASU President’s Club Event
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Supporting Thunderbird as a New Founder is one of the most vital endorsements in building this future as the most talented and deserving students arrive to experience this legacy of excellence that prepares global leaders. Equally vital is creating space for the alumni to gather at the new Global Headquarters ensuring that every generation of Thunderbird carries on. Additionally, factor in that one of the most respected leadership assessments in use internationally is at Thunderbird, the Global Mindset Inventory, which will now be part of
It is that foresight and commitment that continues to exhibit, to our shared global communities, the relevance and vision manifested in a Thunderbird education. This level of mentorship and leadership illustrates the heart of the Thunderbird mystique where alumni, with this parallel vision and education from Thunderbird, are leading the way in the fourth industrial revolution. They have both received numerous honors and accolades for their exemplary service, and in 2011 Francis Najafi was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for outstanding citizenship, individual achievement and encouragement of cultural unity at an awards ceremony in the historic Great Hall on Ellis Island. “The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations could not have chosen a more deserving recipient of this award that celebrates immigrants’ significant contribution to this country than Francis Najafi. As one of the leading Iranian-American entrepreneurs in the country, Francis’ outstanding career is matched only by his sincere commitment to serving his community, both locally and internationally,” stated the late Senator John McCain. “The United States is a country of immigrants, each group of people adding to the rich diversity that makes America a symbol of freedom and tolerance around the world.” The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are sanctioned by the U.S. Congress and recipients’ names are listed in the Congressional Record. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic. Ellis Island is the gateway through which more than 12 million immigrants passed in their quest for freedom of speech, religion, and economic opportunity. This is a reminder of that heritage that is more powerful today than ever before. The Najafi Legacy Francis and Dionne’s accomplishments embody the global mindset of Thunderbird. Their unique and innovative approach to every aspect of their lives represents the voices and the legacy that have shaped Thunderbird and will continue to as we usher in the next generations. Thunderbird has been the recipient of the Najafi vision and dedication for many years including Francis’ term as a trustee on the board to the naming of the Global Mindset Institute directed by the brilliant Dr. Mansour Javidan during its tenure at the Thunderbird School prior to the acquisition by ASU. The Global Mindset Inventory is an internationally recognized assessment tool that has been identifying, tracking, and measuring global leadership skillsets of successful senior managers for over a decade. The Najafi’s efforts symbolize the highest of standards as Thunderbirds – as ethical global leaders – as citizens of the world.
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The Thunderbird Legacy
From the very beginning Thunderbird has focused on international trade and global relations. The goal was to train leaders who would set a path toward economic prosperity and global peace. Since its founding on April 8, 1946 over 45,000 alumni spanning 170 chapters have carried forth the mission to be ethical global leaders who create sustainable prosperity worldwide. This vision is more vital today than ever before. Young people today are faced with challenges that the world imposes. It is imperative that we attract the best young minds to train to be the leaders of the future. There is nothing more vital than growing scholarship support for Thunderbird students who will make a difference.
The Thunderbird Pub - 5the new global headquarters as its own center – and you have all of the elements that typify the Thunderbird legacy. As we continue to build the future of Thunderbird to grow with and withstand the test of time – there is truly no one else whose names should represent the School on the new global headquarters. That space is reserved for individuals whose character is undeniably stellar, who represent the best of what Thunderbird is, and whose selfless dedication to community epitomizes that spirit of the Thunderbird School of Global Management founded in 1946 by individuals with a dream – a hope – to make a difference in the world. It is with this most humbled and honored sentiment that we present this invitation for your consideration to name the new home of the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Visiting leaders will present in our Global Forum where their visits can become virtually accessible on a global scale. Our Innovation Center will serve as a hub of experiential activity for our students, complete with a global situation room and virtual reality suites to prepare students for their fieldwork. The Center will host immersive language technologies, the cutting edge in language acquisition, as Thunderbird fully reinstates language education in its programs, while embracing new learning paradigms.
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A walk through the new Thunderbird headquarters will be a journey through the history of our School. Beginning with a look to the future in the atrium and Global Forum, a new Thunderbird Globe will greet visitors, students, and alumni with real-time exploration of our global Thunderbird community. The Globe will connect with our 45,000 alumni and students through social media interaction, with activity and locations being constantly updated and represented on this technology-enabled globe. Each of the five floors of the building feature regional lounges, celebrating our heritage around the world. Historical kiosks throughout each floor remind all of Thunderbird’s journey over its history. Finally, on the roof level, the Thunderbird Pub will evoke the ethos of 1946 and the Founding of Thunderbird. The Pub’s design will capture the spirit of the original Glendale campus, while looking forward to the future of Thunderbird, showcasing the modern skyline of downtown Phoenix, and the symbol of Thunderbird lit from the roof into the Arizona night sky.
Essential to the future of Thunderbird is a new global headquarters that connects us to the rest of the world. Our new state-of-the-art facility will enable Thunderbird students to connect with the world and experience in real time that which they seek to learn and study. We will unlock all that technology has to offer within our formal learning environments with truly active and multi-dimensional learning spaces that fully immerse our students in their discipline.
Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, Dean & Director General Thunderbird School of Global Management
“We have a unique opportunity to honor the tremendous past and legacy of Thunderbird while setting our sights to the future. Our vision is to build a global village in the heart of Phoenix where we can show the world how to be truly global citizens, building a generation of leaders for the fourth industrial revolution.”
The New Founders
The new Global Headquarters is a technological expression of the role that Thunderbird plays in connecting the world with our Regional Centers of Excellence, our global students and faculty, and our 45,000 alumni who all share the belief that when people come together to learn, celebrate, and honor one another – great things will happen. In addition to the engaged learning taking place, the new Global Headquarters will be active with events –speakers’ series with world-renowned thought leaders in their respective fields, conferences connecting the global network of Thunderbird, special events that elevate the global experience, all in an unparalleled tech environment shaped by and for our global students. Thunderbird is the portal to the world for our shared citizens – our global community. We have been heartened by the support of alumni and friends who have enthusiastically created a new group of visionaries – the New Founders – to make this future possible. Each has come forward with gifts that include $1 million for the New Founders and additional funds in support of various aspects of their focused philanthropy that include scholarships, technology, programming, and faculty development.
Thunderbird is poised for unprecedented growth – a new Global Headquarters, Regional Centers of Excellence around the world, talented and deserving students enrolling to be part of this visionary leadership – all that continues to capture the original essence of what is Thunderbird. We turn to you for guidance and support of these attainable goals. This level of philanthropy demonstrates a collective commitment to achieve meaningful change and impact.
While celebrating and honoring Thunderbird’s alumni and historic past, our new Global Headquarters will embrace the future – a future we may only imagine through the vision, aspiration, and philanthropic investment of our global community. Just as Lt. General Barton Kyle Yount did in 1946, we seek to engage a small group of leaders, New Founders, to make this next chapter for Thunderbird possible.
Heritage Lounge
Naming the Digital Global Mindset Center comprehensively includes naming the Global Online Free Digital Platform, and the gift as a New Founder. $5 Million additional $8 Million
The New Founders In support of Thunderbird’s new Global Headquarters, are a group of 21st century visionaries who are making a clear statement that endorses what the Thunderbird School of Global Management is today and positioning it for the future. Part of what Thunderbird represents in this new partnership with ASU is bringing the global platform fully to the University. Equally, Thunderbird aligns with the broader ASU mission as a comprehensive public research university, “…measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed.”
The F. Francis Najafi Digital Global Mindset Center in the new Global Headquarters As the Global Mindset Inventory continues to demonstrate to the world the powerful effectiveness of leadership training and assessment, it is poised to take its place as the leading Center in the world to prepare leaders for the future.
The F. Francis Najafi Digital Global Mindset Center
Francis and Dionne, your leadership support will ignite the aspirations of Thunderbird students and will activate fellow alumni who will follow your example. This level of philanthropy holds the destiny for many who, once completing their education, return to their respective countries prepared to lead. Your generosity will make a lasting difference as those who attend Thunderbird will see your advocacy as an endorsement of the future and of the global leaders to come. We respectfully present these opportunities for your consideration:
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Naming the Global Online Free Digital Platform comprehensively includes the gift as a New Founder $3 Million
Additionally, to expand the reach of Thunderbird internationally and on mission, we invite you to help us create The F. Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Online Free Digital Platform As Thunderbird expands its reach, we want to ensure that there is global access to an array of programs we know will transform communities. Free access to an online digital platform is one of the greatest opportunities we can provide. The world needs leaders for the future, and accessibility to a Thunderbird education is essential for all individuals around the world to gain knowledge in this digital transformation no matter how remotely they are located.
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The F. Francis Najafi Centers of Excellence in the MENA Region
Thunderbird has a deep commitment to developing and mentoring young talent from the MENA Region of the world, and establishing Thunderbird Centers of Excellence there makes a decisive statement about the Thunderbird commitment to preparing global leaders from the MENA Region. For example commencing with a Center in Istanbul or other proximate locations, in preparation for an eventual Center in Tehran, would offer an essential first point of contact that would provide students access to a ramp of services and educational opportunities. Equally imperative is providing scholarship support increasing accessibility to a variety of Thunderbird graduate degrees including the highly sought after #1 ranked Masters in Global Management.
The F. Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Headquarters of the Thunderbird School of Global Management A name on a building carries with it the conviction and character of those whose transformational philanthropic gift is making so much possible. These individuals must embody the soul of the School. This building is the world represented on five floors where technology is bringing the future to the classroom – to the students. Every space in the new Global Headquarters reinforces engagement – bringing the alumni, the community, and the world to Thunderbird. Each area is designed around that future – Alumni Center, Global Forum, Heritage Galleries, Canyon Plazas, Global Marketplace, Global Community Suites, and The Pub. The naming gift in support of the new Global Headquarters will make all of this possible.
Naming the Thunderbird School of Global Management Headquarters comprehensively includes establishing and naming MENA Regional Centers of Excellence and endowing a scholarship fund for those students, naming the Digital Global Mindset Center, establishing and naming the Global Online Free Digital Platform, and the gift as a New Founder. $13 Million additional $25 Million We look forward to discussing these ideas with you and describing the various fulfillment options. Our vision is to dramatically expand Thunderbird’s impact on a world in dire need of the global leadership talent we were founded to provide and that you have recognized as a priority for the future. To do this, we look to our family of alumni and friends to support this mission and enable these programs to reach the populations of the world who most need these young leaders. We thank you for being there to help us develop this rising generation of global visionaries.
Establishing MENA Regional Centers of Excellence and endowing a scholarship fund for these students comprehensively includes naming the Digital Global Mindset Center, the Global Online Free Digital Platform, and the gift as a New Founder. $4 Million additional $12 Million
The gateway lobby to the Global Forum welcomes the community and celebrates the New Founders as all who enter are partners in building our future together.
Borders frequented by trade seldom need soldiers. Dr. William Lytle Schurz, 2nd President of Thunderbird
