The Ciresi Walburn Foundation Announces Partnership with James Cooper Consulting LLC.
The Ciresi Walburn Foundation is proud to announce a year-long partnership with James Cooper Consulting LLC. (JCC) in support of the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellowship (CWLF) Program, a signature initiative of the Foundation hosted at the University of St. Thomas. This partnership directly complements the University of St. Thomas’ broader commitment to career readiness and equity for all students, reinforcing the institution’s mission to graduate leaders who are prepared to succeed professionally while advancing the common good.
Through this collaboration, JCC will provide internship placement support, culturally responsive career readiness workshops, individualized coaching, and impact reporting—all designed to ensure Fellows thrive in college, career, and beyond.
About the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellowship Program at the University of St. Thomas
The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows (CWLF) Program is a cohort-based scholarship and leadership development program supporting students with financial need who are committed to leadership, service, and social justice. Preference is given to first-generation college students. The program’s mission is to ensure that graduating Fellows are gainfully employed in meaningful professions or enrolled in graduate school within four years at St. Thomas.
About James Cooper Consulting LLC.
James Cooper Consulting specializes in career readiness, leadership training, talent recruitment, and organizational development. As a multi-service career and workforce development firm, JCC is committed to fostering growth, inclusion, and excellence. Through workshops, coaching, and strategic advisory, JCC equips individuals and organizations with the tools to achieve sustainable success and lasting impact.
Quotes
“In the most competitive job market in years, we can’t just develop leaders; we must put leadership to work. Through CWLF’s new partnership with James Cooper Consulting, our fellows will gain door-opening mentorship, employer-ready preparation, and paid, purpose-driven roles in work that matters to them and their communities. We will shift mindsets from ‘I hope I can’ to ‘I am becoming’. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of leaders who are prepared to serve and uplift the state of Minnesota. ”
- Kenneth J. Cooper, Ph.D., Director, Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows Program, University of St. Thomas
“Transformational change requires intentional effort and collaboration. This partnership will be driven by the collective expertise of the JCC team, with key contributions from Career Development Consultants Britney Hayes and Shay Marlowe. We are honored to work alongside CWLF leaders Dr. Kenneth Cooper and Mykal Howard in preparing Fellows to excel in their careers and communities. Together, we will ensure these future leaders are not only workforce-ready but also empowered to create lasting impact wherever they go.”
- James A. Cooper Jr., MA, Founder & CEO, James Cooper Consulting LLC.
