Summary: Throughout the past 28 episodes you've heard me refer to - in one way or another - Up with People. My parents were generous enough to provide me with the opportunity to travel with them in 1988. I owe a lot to that organization. My experiences in Up with People, both as a student and as a staff member, changed my life. My perspective is a global one - I owe that to Up with People. For this week's conversation, I am pleased to welcome Alain Thiry, president and CEO of Up with People. I could have spent hours with Alain. We only skimmed the surface when it comes to Up with People, there is so much to talk about. I hope you take a moment to visit their website and, if they come to you community, take the time to go to one of their shows (a complete touring schedule is available here). If you are student and want to have a life changing experience - call them today!!! Follow Up with People on Facebook or on YouTube and check out their Cast Blog! Enjoy the conversation. About Alain Thiry Alain L. Thiry was named President & CEO of the international educational and cultural organization Up with People in February, 2009. Thiry, 53, is a native of Belgium with permanent U.S. residency and is a former student and field staff member of the Up with People program himself Prior to leading Up with People, Thiry founded EMSi, LLC, a management and marketing services company. He has also held multiple executive positions with major organizations, including: President – Carlson Marketing Group Europe (Belgium); Executive Vice President – Carlson Event & Sports Marketing Division (Minneapolis, MN); Executive Vice President – Carlson Performance Improvement Group; Vice President & General Manager – Carlson Learning Company; Vice President & Account Supervisor – Ross Roy Group (Detroit, MI); Vice President Sales & Marketing – Center for Leadership Studies (Escondido, CA); and, Director of International Business Development – Sandy Corporation (Detroit, MI). Thiry received a Diploma in Business and Economic Sciences at the Athenee Royal de Seraing (Belgium) and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). He also attended the Executive Leadership Program (Executive MBA) at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. Thiry has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota International center (World Affairs Council) for the past six years, where he was recently a member of the Executive Committee and the Chairman of the Development Committee. He also presently serves on the Board of the Intercontinental Hotel Montreal, the Hyatt Regency in Montreal owned by the Swedish company Pandox AB. About Up With People Up with People differentiates itself from other leadership, service, and study abroad programs through its unique combination of program components. For over four decades, participants who traveled in UWP have gone on to become enthusiastic leaders in their communities and the world. Equipped with the life skills and broad perspectives learned 'on the road,' they have made tremendous differences through a myriad of career and life choices and have truly become global citizens. Traveling, living and learning with young people from more than 20 countries, participants learn how to work cooperatively while exploring the similarities and differences of people from other nations and cultures. Though both casual interactions and facilitated in-depth discussions, participants have countless opportunities to see each culture through the eyes of its own people; to see beyond stereotypes; to challenge and re–evaluate views and beliefs often taken for granted. Many even learn to speak new languages. Up with People participants take time to learn about others and, as a result, find they’ve learned a lot about themselves in the process. For additional information on Up With People and how to get involved, please visit their website!
