Who we are

 Download

Our mission is to educate global leaders who create sustainable prosperity worldwide

About Us in Kazakhstan

Thunderbird has a rich history of firsts, which includes being the first graduate management school focused solely on international business, and the first to adopt an official Professional Oath of Honor.

Following this tradition and holding true to our mission of positive impact in emerging markets, we established operations in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2011, as Thunderbird Worldwide Kazakhstan.

We understand that emerging markets such as Kazakhstan have unique needs and challenges, requiring a pragmatic and results-focused approach to the development of its managers and leaders.Thunderbird Worldwide brings together the full impact of a top-ranked global business school with on-the-ground emerging market experience, to provide applicable, personalized development solutions for professionals, managers and leaders.

Our History

Thunderbird School of Global Management

Thunderbird School of Global Management is the oldest and largest graduate management school in the United States focused solely on preparing international business leaders. It was founded in 1946 following World War II by Lieutenant General Barton Kyle Yount, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Training Command.

A pioneer and visionary of his time, General Yount saw a growing demand for international executive talent and had a dream to create the first school of business to focus exclusively on international management. That dream was realized April 8, 1946, when the School received its charter and General Yount became the school's first president. The school was founded as a nonprofit organization known as the American Institute for Foreign Trade. Classes began Oct. 1, 1946, and its first class graduated June 14, 1947. The school has since graduated more than 38,000 students who live and work in more than 140 countries.

Thunderbird is recognized by major publications around the world, which have consistently named Thunderbird as a leader in global business education. Learn more

CBSD/Thunderbird Russia

The Center for Business Skills Development – CBSD/Thunderbird Russia – was one of the first companies to offer personnel development services in the Russian market. US West and USAID founded CBSD in late 1994 with the goal of bringing Western business education to Russia. In October 1996, CBSD became part of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, a globally recognized leader in international business education.

Throughout its 16 year history, CBSD has been at the forefront of personnel development in Russia, working with global partners, such as the Thunderbird School of Global Management, World at Work, Becker, Eagle's Flight, and FGI International, and innovative teaching methods to bring clients the best means for improving the way they manage their business. Learn more

Our Vision

The rapid spread of globalization has greatly increased the complexity of management decisions and has created a global economy in which the fortunes of individuals, businesses, and societies are inextricably linked. Through this lens the Thunderbird 2020 Global Vision was created to center on four strategic priorities:

1. Strengthen Our Unique Approach to Global Leadership Education

2. Innovate for Scale and Impact

3. Engage Deeply in Emerging Markets

4. Build a Global Community of Learning and Practice

Key to our success in fulfilling these objectives is Thunderbird Worldwide, an initiative that emboldens Thunderbird's core commitment to remain a world leader in management education and dramatically extend the impact we have in emerging markets, by combining best practices in global business with the necessary tools to create immediate and positive impact on your business.

Our Approach

At Thunderbird Worldwide, we place great emphasis on the fact that every business is unique. We think of our programs as solutions, developed with the intent of taking clients beyond the classroom, to provide them with an enduring experience and skill-base.

We invest time and energy into creating programs that address each client's particular business, employees, management and market. We engage clients, listen closely to their goals and interests, and work jointly to develop a long-term solution to their business needs.

Before starting work in the classroom, we engage with clients to define and assess their goals and needs. Clients can choose from our portfolio of open enrollment, certification or business simulation programs, or our trainers and specialists can work with clients to develop customized solutions.

Our Solutions

Our solutions support the development of individuals and organizations, ranging from professional skills through mid and senior-level management, and onto senior executives. Using an equally encompassing format, program delivery ranges from on-line learning portals allowing students from around the globe to interact with their facilitator and each other, to classroom and customized face-to-face interaction.