Enabling Marketing Leaders of today to become the CEOs of tomorrow
“The Marketing Academy provide the best marketing leadership programs in the world”
– Syl Saller CBE, former Global CMO Diageo
The International C-Suite Fellowship Program
Delivered in partnership with
Program Overview
The Marketing Academy International C-Suite Fellowship Program developed in partnership with McKinsey & Company, is a powerful, merit based, part-time program giving a select group of exceptional CMOs & marketing leaders at the top of the marketing career ladder a unique opportunity to further develop the critical capabilities required to ascend to CEO & wider Board level roles.
Established in 2013 we run 2 programs per year; One in Europe & USA and the other in APAC.
Alumni of the program have come from top global B2B & B2C brands and have said the program has been instrumental for their career progression into board roles.
To view our Global Fellowship Alumni click here.
Great CEOs and board directors need the ability to influence, engage and take risks. They should also have a deep understanding of the commercial drivers of their business, intellectual breadth, a well-honed ability to spot the right opportunities and an unfailing ability to understand what their customers want.
Designed to provide CMOs with access to board-level thinking and development in all elements of Board stewardship, this program ensures that marketing leaders accelerate their knowledge and experience to take on a future CEO or board role.
“The Marketing Academy Fellowship has been way more than I expected it to be and one of the best learning experiences of my life” Fellowship Alumni
Fellowships will be awarded to a maximum of 25 CMOs and high achieving marketing leaders who will benefit from:
- A comprehensive knowledge curriculum developed and delivered by McKinsey & Company partners and functional experts, delivered during three Residential events with masterclasses covering the full CEO, leadership and board stewardship spectrum
- Three ‘Residential’ events with knowledge topics covering the full CEO spectrum including a series of masterclasses covering all elements of board stewardship, designed and delivered by leading experts;
- Residential #1 UK – Feb 2026 (4 days)
- Residential #2 Europe* – June 2026 (3 days)
- Residential #3 USA* – September 2026 (3 days)
*Exact dates & location TBA
- Immersive CMO to CEO leadership journey program developed and led by Global CMO Leadership Expert Thomas Barta together with The Marketing Academy and McKinsey experts
- Board-level executive coaching with individual one-to-one sessions from a professional executive coach provided by Wisdom8
- One-to-one mentoring sessions with high profile board chairs, non-executives, CEOs, CFOs, board members and influencers
- Peer-to-peer learning and development with an exclusive peer group from global business in diverse market sectors
- 12-months access for you and your team to The Marketing Academy Global Virtual Campus. The curriculum consists of a minimum of 18 curated lectures and masterclass via a dedicated online platform.
Applications for the 2026 Program will open in June 2025 please click here to receive early notification
Selection Criteria
The International C Suite Fellowship Program has been designed for time constrained individuals. It is anticipated that the program will take circa 11 days time commitment (not including travel) between February 2026 and September 2026.
To be considered for a place on the program you:
- Currently hold the #1 marketing, growth or commercial leadership role (CMO, Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Growth Officer, or equivalent) within a leading, marketing-dependent, global organization at a global or regional level
- Report directly to the company CEO, President, or EVP
- Have a minimum of 15 years leadership experience in a marketing/ commercial functions, leading large, complex teams and significant budgets, with profit & loss accountability
- Have a clear career ambition to become a CEO or to take a wider main board position
- Have had significant non-marketing leadership experience earlier in career
- Be employed on a permanent basis with no risk of resignation for the duration of the program
- Have proven reputation in the industry
- Be able to travel for all 3 in-person residential sessions
- Residential #1 UK – Feb 2026 (4 days)
- Residential #2 Europe* – June 2026 (3 days)
- Residential #3 USA* – September 2026 (3 days)
*Exact dates & location TBA
Applications for the 2026 Program will open in June 2025 please click here to receive early notification
Selection Process
Fellowships are awarded by invitation only. Potential delegates are required to submit a short application form, full resume, a written endorsement from their CEO and then take part in a discussion with a member of the selection panel.
Applications will open in June 2025
Applications will close late Oct 2025.
Selection meetings will run throughout November
Cohort will be announced December 2025
Program commences February 2026.
Applications for the 2026 Program will open in June 2025 please click here to receive early notification
What Our Alumni Have To Say About The Program
Elements of the program are being delivered by:
Academy People
Featured Scholar
Carter Thorson, VP Client Leadership – Inspira Marketing
Carter is the VP of Client Leadership at Inspira Marketing. Inspira is an Experiential Marketing Agency with a simple mission: forge indelible connections between brands…