The Executive Development Institute (EDI), which partners with businesses in the Pacific Northwest to provide culturally-tailored leadership programs for Asian Pacific and Hispanic emerging leaders and managers, is recruiting class members for its Leadership Discovery and Leadership Navigation Programs beginning in March next year.
Ted Yamamura, regional manager for Asia at Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle and a founder of EDI, had a vision 15 years ago of establishing a non-profit organization that provides training to develop culturally diverse leaders. His vision was to have senior managers and executives in American business and organizations be a true reflection of the cultural diversity of the communities served.
“I wanted to create an organization that would give employees, many who are of first or second generation Asian Pacific ancestry, the necessary leadership skills and training to fill management positions, while retaining their cultural values,” Yamamura said. ““Multiple case studies show companies who have diverse leadership at the top enjoy a competitive advantage in driving performance and shareholder value.”
Yamamura partnered with Vanna Novak, president of Speak To Persuade, a nationally recognized seminar leader and consultant on persuasive presentation skills and quality work relationships. In 1994, Yamamura and Novak, both third generation or “Sansei” Japanese-Americans, established EDI.
“Asian Pacific managers are striving to break the ‘bamboo ceiling’ and stereotype of being the quiet model minority or perpetual foreigner,” said Novak. “Part of being a leader is to be able to exude credibility and competence while building an emotional connection with your audience. Learning to speak persuasively is a crucial leadership quality that is honed at EDI leadership programs.”
Yamamura and Novak set out to give Asian Pacific professionals the tools to maneuver through the complicated labyrinth of politics, social skills, and networking savvy required to “make it to the top” and be accepted and actually promoted in corporate America’s management ranks.
Participants have enrolled in EDI from leading Pacific Northwest companies such as Boeing, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Nike, State Farm, Wells Fargo, Weyerhaeuser, and KeyBank. Over 150 mentors, many who are top executives of Pacific Northwest firms, support EDI programs as panelists and guest speakers. Alumni keep the momentum going by networking and building strategic relationships that provide opportunities for further career growth, especially in today’s sagging economy.
EDI’s Leadership Discovery Program is tailored for the busy, working professional and consists of a two-day workshop followed by seven full-day seminars spread throughout the year, a community group project, and a graduation celebration.
Since its inception in 1994, EDI has graduated more than 500 Asian Pacific professionals from its Leadership Discovery program.
More information is available from EDI’s Executive Director Starr MacDonald at 425-467-9365, starr@ediorg.org, or at www.ediorg.org.
