Thunderbird Russia Celebrates 10 Years
Moscow – Hundreds of current and former students, faculty, staff, corporate executives and political dignitaries gathered February 19 at the Renaissance Moscow Hotel to celebrate a decade of operation for the Center for Business Skills Development (CBSD).

Since Thunderbird Russia was formed in 1995, the CBSD has grown from its small office on Moscow’s Ismailovo Island into one of the most respected business education centers in the country. Each year, more than 8,000 students—managers from companies throughout Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine—come through the doors to participate in one of a litany of programs. In 2002, American Chamber of Commerce Russia named it the “Small Business of the Year.”

“The management development and project programs are so successful because of the unique position of each of them,” said Dennis Hopple, director of CBSD and vice president of Thunderbird Russia. “There is not another program available in Russia that can compare to Looking Glass and the reputation of our project development and executive development courses is unmatched.”



The Looking Glass Leadership Program, one of Thunderbird Russia’s most successful, is a 4-day intensive program for managers to hone their strategic thinking and ability to recognize opportunities. The program is delivered by U.S.-based consultants from FGI International.

Even though the CBSD has come a long way since it’s founding, Hopple said, there are still plenty of miles to go on the long road to true global development. As part of that dream, the CBSD plans to add to its current offerings to meet the needs of former Eastern Bloc countries.

“CBSD will continue to offer management development courses and programs, but they will evolve to meet the needs of our emerging markets,” Hopple said.