PWTorch.com - SPECIAL REPORT: What qualified Stephanie McMahon for the 2015 Eisenhower Fellowship?

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SPECIAL REPORT: What qualified Stephanie McMahon for the 2015 Eisenhower Fellowship?

Oct 22, 2014 - 11:58:11 AM

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By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

When WWE announced earlier this month that executive Stephanie McMahon has been granted an Eisenhower Fellowship, it caught many people by surprise.

Not because Stephanie does not qualify, but because the perception is the program is for the likes of Harvard-educated business leaders, diplomats, or university professors. Digging deeper into the program, though, it appears the Eisenhower Fellowship is more concerned about whether individuals can reach and connect with international leaders than whether they come from academia or S&P 500 companies.

According to WWE's press release, "Fellows are selected based on their proven leadership and success in their professional field, their enthusiasm for continued learning, their active engagement in community activities, and their potential for advanced leadership and societal impact."

One of McMahon's top responsibilities in her WWE executive position is community outreach, such as the B.A. S.T.A.R. program and Special Olympics, which tackles a key item in the list. McMahon also serves on the Board of Directors for the USO Metropolitan Washington

Also, as part of her Fellowship, McMahon will have a key role in the "Women’s Leadership Program," which was launched in Fall 2010.

But, where does McMahon fit in among the nine Fellows selected for 2015? According to WWE's list, other fellows include an associate at the University of Oxford, an executive at the FCC, and an author from Harvard University.

Essentially, the key to McMahon's inclusion is WWE's global reach, especially with the Eisenhower program launching international fellowships in recent years.

McMahon will be connecting with fellows in Asia and South America, which WWE says will allow McMahon to "gain a deeper understanding of business implications in the region, local societal challenges, and potential partnerships."

“We welcome this talented and enthusiastic group of young leaders into the global network of Eisenhower Fellows to build bridges across borders and work together to make the world more peaceful, prosperous and just,” said Colin Powell, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the organization.

McMahon added that she hopes her experience allows her to "gain a deeper understanding of the culture in key growth areas both from a business and community standpoint." With WWE looking to expand its international reach, McMahon added that she hopes to "use this knowledge to help shape WWE’s global business strategies."

Former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman, who is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, agreed that McMahon would be a good fit for the program.

“In our globalized world, the experience of an Eisenhower Fellowship will allow these men and women to draw from an incredibly rich international network to enhance their impact in their respective regions and professional fields.” Gov. Whitman said.