About
Learn about GBEI's mission to bridge the gap between business and education.
Our Founders
Michael B. Levy
Michael serves as Business Department Chair at La Salle Institute in Troy, New York, where he has built an innovative, real-world business education program that connects students with companies across the United States and around the globe. Guided by the philosophy of “bringing the classroom into the real world,” Levy has developed experiential learning opportunities that allow students to collaborate on authentic business projects, including marketing strategies, branding initiatives, and product development. Under his leadership, La Salle’s Global Business Education Initiative has engaged dozens of businesses spanning multiple countries, giving students firsthand exposure to entrepreneurship, international commerce, and professional problem-solving. In addition to his role as an educator, Levy is an accomplished business executive whose industry experience helps bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, preparing students with the skills and confidence to succeed in today’s global economy.
James W. Phillips
James W. Phillips is the co-founder of the Global Business Education Institute and the founder and owner of JWP Media Group, an international media, publishing, public relations, and marketing company specializing in luxury brands and global business communications. With more than 30 years of corporate experience, Phillips has built a career helping businesses strengthen their brands through strategic marketing, publishing, and digital innovation. A passionate entrepreneur and mentor, he has collaborated with organizations and educational institutions worldwide to bridge the gap between business and education, providing students with real-world learning opportunities while fostering international partnerships. Through his leadership, Phillips continues to champion entrepreneurship, innovation, and experiential business education, inspiring the next generation of global business leaders.
The Global Business Education Institute (GBEI)
Originally founded as the Global Business Education Initiative in 2020, the GBEI has evolved into the Global Business Education Institute—a world-leading educational organisation dedicated to bringing the real world of business into the classroom.
Bringing the Real World into the Classroom
For more than seven years, the Business Program at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY USA has transformed business education by connecting students with authentic, real-world business experiences. Rather than learning solely from textbooks, students work directly with companies, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders on live commercial projects that develop the skills needed for today’s global economy.
Students in La Salle’s marketing programme have collaborated with more than 60 companies across 13 countries, delivering projects ranging from branding, logo design, website development, and social media campaigns to comprehensive marketing strategies and business development initiatives.
This proven model of experiential learning has demonstrated that students achieve far greater confidence, creativity, and commercial understanding when immersed in genuine business challenges.
From Initiative to Institute
The Global Business Education Initiative was launched to strengthen the connection between education and industry. As international interest and participation grew, it became clear that the vision extended far beyond a single programme.
Today, the Global Business Education Institute (GBEI) is a privately owned business which serves as a global network that brings together world-class business leaders, successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, educators, university partners, and professional tutors from around the world under one umbrella.
Our mission remains simple:
To bring the world of business into the classroom.
Through international partnerships, guest speakers, collaborative business projects, webinars, mentoring programmes, and student enterprise initiatives, GBEI is redefining how business education is delivered for the next generation.
Preparing Future Business Leaders
Based on the Business Programme at La Salle Institute which combines rigorous academic study with practical commercial experience over three years of progressive learning.
Students develop expertise in:
- Marketing and branding
- Entrepreneurship
- Business strategy
- Sales and customer engagement
- Public relations
- Digital marketing
- Financial planning
- Leadership and teamwork
- International business collaboration
The programme culminates in Advanced Marketing, where students produce a professional business portfolio showcasing the commercial projects they have completed throughout their studies. Students also participate in immersive educational experiences, including the annual Youth Education Series at Walt Disney World, where they explore leadership, innovation, customer experience, and business excellence.
Graduates leave La Salle Institute with a unique combination of academic achievement and real-world business experience, preparing them for university, entrepreneurship, and successful careers in an increasingly global marketplace.
Building a Global Network
The Global Business Education Institute is expanding this award-winning model beyond La Salle Institute.
Our vision is to establish collaborative business education programmes in high schools, colleges, and universities across the United States and around the world. By partnering with educators, business leaders, and industry professionals, we create meaningful opportunities for students to solve real business challenges while building the confidence, skills, and professional networks that will shape their futures.
JWP Media Group and the Global Business Education Institute
James W. Phillips, Founder and CEO of JWP Media Group, became involved with the Global Business Education Initiative in 2020 after visiting La Salle Institute from the UK and meeting Business Department Chair Michael B. Levy and his students.
Together, Phillips and Levy have helped transform the original initiative into the Global Business Education Institute, expanding its international reach and bringing together an outstanding network of business professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and thought leaders committed to inspiring the next generation.
Through JWP Media Group’s global publishing, marketing, and media platforms—including Relentless magazine—students have also gained invaluable experience by contributing to real-world publishing and media projects, further strengthening the Institute’s commitment to experiential learning.
Today, the Global Business Education Institute continues to build partnerships across the globe, connecting schools with business leaders and creating opportunities that prepare students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
Partner With the Global Business Education Institute
Whether you are a school, college, university, educator, business leader, or organisation looking to inspire future entrepreneurs, we invite you to become part of the Global Business Education Institute.
Together, we can transform business education by bringing the classroom closer to the real world—and the real world into the classroom.