Sprouts’ Jack Sinclair is W. P. Carey's 2023 Executive of the Year


March 20, 2023

Since joining Sprouts Farmers Market in 2019, Jack Sinclair has focused on providing a curated, attribute-based product assortment that has helped the specialty foods retailer grow through dynamic changes in the food industry, resulting in the planned opening of 30 new stores in 2023. For his leadership in making Sprouts a more efficient, profitable and innovative retailer, the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University will honor Sinclair with its annual Executive of the Year Award. 

With more than 35 years of experience in the retail and grocery industries, Sinclair previously served as CEO of 99 Cents Only Stores; as executive vice president in charge of Walmart’s U.S. grocery division, the largest grocer in the United States; and Safeway PLC in London. At Sprouts, Sinclair has advanced a “doing well by doing good” long-term strategy rooted in initiatives that grow business while caring for the health of communities and the environment. Portrait of Jack Sinclair. Jack Sinclair, CEO of Sprouts Farmers Market. Photo courtesy Jack Sinclair Download Full Image

“It is a pleasure to award Jack Sinclair this year’s Executive of the Year honor,” said Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean, Professor of Finance and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair. “Jack has grown Sprouts Farmers Market through a tumultuous time in the grocery retail industry while advancing initiatives that benefit customers, communities and the planet. That commitment to integrity in leadership is exactly what this award celebrates.”

Sinclair becomes the 40th annual Executive of the Year chosen by the W. P. Carey Dean’s Council, a national group of prominent executives who advise the W. P. Carey School of Business. Previous honorees include Steve Sanghi, executive chairman of Microchip Technology; Sheryl Palmer, chairman and CEO of Taylor Morrison; and Chris Koch, chairman, president and CEO of Carlisle Cos.

Sinclair will be honored at a luncheon at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa on Wednesday, April 5. The event, which begins at 11:30 a.m., is part of the Economic Club of Phoenix speaker series. Tickets are $100. For more information about the club or to reserve seats, visit wpcarey.asu.edu/ecp.

Ellen Grady

Copy writer, W. P. Carey School of Business

ASU Global Education Office launches new hybrid study abroad program

ASU Global Flex Program allows students to mix and match online coursework with in-person experiences while abroad


March 20, 2023

When Ana Montoya arrived in Sydney, Australia, she had no idea she’d be leaving with a full-time job offer after she graduated. Montoya, an Arizona State University interdisciplinary studies major, completed an internship with an environmental consulting company in Sydney during her study abroad program. After proving herself through her in-person internship, Montoya was given an opportunity to extend her internship remotely when she returned to the U.S., which then turned into an opportunity to return to Sydney to work in person full time after graduation.

“Any field that you get into, it’s hard to get your foot in the door. This was my opportunity,” Montoya said. “Not only did I get my foot in the door with this internship, but having this opportunity to come back and work with (my boss) has been amazing.”  ASU student smiling holding up a pitchfork on the London Bridge The ASU Global Flex Program gives ASU students the opportunity to study abroad while taking ASU courses online. Photo courtesy Global Education Office/ASU Download Full Image

Montoya’s study abroad experience was made possible with the ASU Global Flex Program, a new, highly customizable study abroad program that embodies the Global Education Office’s “Your world. Your choice.” philosophy.

This new study abroad program takes advantage of ASU’s large online coursework catalog while giving students the opportunity to gain an immersive cultural experience.

Students can choose to take ASU courses all online or mix and match their online coursework with up to six credits of in-person experiences while abroad. Students can take three to six credits of in-person courses or an international internship, like the one Montoya had, to boost their resume with global work experience. 

The customization doesn’t stop there, though. Sun Devils are able to choose from one of 10 locations across five continents to spend six, 12 or 18 weeks of their semester or summer abroad. 

“Taking ASU courses online while being abroad helped relax my anxiety towards the idea that studying abroad would slow my academic development,” said ASU Global Flex student Alex Saldana. 

Saldana looked into studying abroad in the past, but due to the COVD-19 pandemic, he chose not to study abroad earlier in his academic career. The ASU Global Flex Program allowed him to complete the degree requirements he needed for his senior year online while pursuing his study abroad dreams.

During his study abroad in Madrid, Spain, Saldana completed an internship with a professional soccer team, Atletico de Madrid, which tied directly to his major in sports business.

ASU student Alex Saldana on the Atletico Madrid soccer field.

Alex Saldana on the Atletico Madrid soccer field. Photo courtesy Alex Saldana

”Being able to take on an internship at Atletico de Madrid was a dream come true. I always wanted to work for a professional soccer team, especially one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Saldana said. “Being part of the experiences department, who took care of the team's museum and tours, gave me good insight into how professional teams run their operations while reaching their customers' satisfaction levels and manage their business on a day-to-day basis.” 

“(My internship proved to me) that I have the capabilities to work in a professional sports business environment and that one day I can also reach the goal of working for my dream team,” Saldana said.

Student housing, in-person courses, cultural excursions and in-country staff are provided to support students while they are abroad through the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization.

Over 200 in-person courses are offered along with the robust course options offered through the ASU Online and iCourse catalog. Students can gain a new perspective by taking unique classes that are not typically offered at ASU, like the Economics of Wine in Rome or German Cinema in Berlin, while earning ASU credit. Some courses are offered in the country’s native language, but knowing the language is not necessary to participate in the program. ASU Online students are also given the opportunity to take in-person courses for the first time in their academic career, giving them the chance to connect with other ASU students, as well as students and professors from around the world.

ASU student Anna Montoya smiling and standing in front of a sign that reads "Tamburlaine."ourtesy Anna Montoya

Anna Montoya in Sydney on the ASU Global Flex Program. Photo courtesy Anna Montoya

Students have the option to intern with a local organization to earn internship credit, filling another degree requirement for many students. Through the personalized placement process, students are able to grow professionally, build their resume and expand their network internationally.

Montoya grew in her self-confidence and learned the value of embarking on new experiences during her program, including her first professional experience, which led her to a full-time job offer internationally.

“Put yourself out there. You just have to start saying yes to opportunities. That’s honestly how I found my internship. I just started saying yes to a whole bunch of things that I probably wouldn’t do normally,” Montoya said. “I ended up not only making a bunch of friends, but I ended up with this amazing opportunity.”

Find out more about the ASU Global Flex Program.

 Lindsay Lohr

Marketing Coordinator, Global Education Office

480-965-9860