MELA Sponsor

Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF)

Thirty years ago, a group of American business leaders recognized that global economic interdependence required them to establish successful international business networks and partnerships. They formed the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF) to further the development of their goals. SIBF wants to share the experience of its members with future leaders around the world. In 2002, SIBF began the successful Central Eurasia Leadership Academy (CELA). The CELA program brings emerging leaders from various countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) together for 10 days of intensive training at Koç University in Istanbul. There are currently over 300 members of the CELA network. SIBF is now launching a similar program in the Middle East using the model that has worked for 30 years.

The initial funding for this self sustaining program is being provided as a non-interest bearing loan from the Global Network Foundation (GNF). The loan will be repaid from the proceeds of the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA) program. All other funds will be used for future MELA program activities. The Foundation receives its funding primarily from philanthropic contributions by members of the Society of International Business Fellows as well as from other foundations that support its leadership development efforts. For example, GNF has received funds from The Charles Steward Mott Foundation (US), The Betty Lawes Foundation (UK), and The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan) as well as support from Koç University for the development of the Central Eurasian Leadership Academy (CELA).

Johnny Roberts, SIBF Chairman and MELA Board member from SIBF on Vimeo.

Building Successful Leadership Networks: A Tradition of Excellence

Thirty years ago, a young American academic and an influential Coca Cola executive and an Arab business leader came together to create the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF). SIBF was created to educate and connect leaders throughout the world who have a common interest in sharing international business expertise and provide support to emerging global networks. SIBF's strength is in its membership: more than 400 members on four continents whose collective knowledge, contacts and experiences form a vast network of peers committed to helping each other become better leaders, both personally and professionally. In 2002, SIBF began the successful Central Eurasia Leadership Academy (CELA). The CELA program brings emerging leaders from nine countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) together for 10 days of intensive training at Koç University in Istanbul. There are currently over 250 members of the CELA network. SIBF is continuing its tradition of building high successful leadership networks with the creation of the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA). Each year 50 emerging leaders from around the region will be brought together from 13 countries for 11 days to experience the best leadership training they will have ever been exposed to. When they leave they will be part of a growing network of leaders from the region but will automatically become linked with the 700 leaders that make up SIBF and CELA