Charting the Year Ahead
Alumni Board sets ambitious agenda
Cooper
Photo by Neal Hamberg
This past summer saw another successful HBS Global Leadership Forum, this time in Washington, D.C. Attendance exceeded 640 alumni and guests, many of whom had not been to a previous GLF.
On behalf of the Alumni Board, who turned out in strength, a very big thank-you to the GLF Organizing Committee in Washington, chaired by Charles Rossotti (MBA ’64) and coordinated by Julie Wolinsky (MBA ’98). Congratulations to Senior Associate Dean Mal Salter (now retired!), who served as faculty chair; to the many faculty members who took the HBS experience to Washington; and to Stephanie Goff’s Alumni Relations team in Boston for their outstanding organization and attention to every detail.
As we head into the 2006–2007 academic year, we welcome twelve new alumni board members and bid farewell and thanks to those retiring for their generous contribution of time, and energetic and thoughtful commitment.
The board’s agenda for this year builds upon the excellent committee work accomplished in 2005–2006.
Clubs and Associations. As a vitally important link between Soldiers Field and alumni around the globe, clubs face the challenges of all volunteer organizations: leadership and succession, competing for volunteers’ and members’ scarce time, and maintaining their distinctive connection to the School. Fifty club leaders convened at HBS in June at the annual Clubs Officers Leadership Conference and offered insightful input to focus the board’s attention on recommending strategies that will enhance club vibrancy. This year’s committee is headed by Paul Hayre (MBA ’99).
Alumni Marketing. During the past two years, the board has focused on the wide array of programs and resources available to alumni, seeking answers to why they are relatively unaware of them and why such a small percentage takes advantage of them. Insightful demographic and psychographic profiles have been developed from alumni survey data that will enable the committee, chaired by Jim Rice (MBA ’86), to recommend segment-specific marketing and communications initiatives. We expect you will begin seeing an impact within months!
Volunteer Cultivation and Recognition. The global HBS community thrives on an unequaled level of volunteer initiative and effort — on campus and through clubs, reunions, fundraising, and more. HBS does an outstanding job of encouraging, involving, and recognizing volunteers, but the School is keen to raise the bar and has reached out to the board to review and recommend enhancements. Rochelle Bloom (AMP 111, 1992) will chair this committee.
HBS Centennial. Rounding out this year’s focus on areas of alumni engagement is a continuing initiative at HBS to create a high-impact series of global events in 2008 to celebrate the School’s first 100 years. Activities on the preliminary agenda will involve faculty, alumni from around the world, clubs, and a major event in Boston.
The committee, chaired by Paige Arnof-Fenn (MBA ’91), is advising the School on alumni perspectives and interests and will reach out extensively for alumni input and participation as planning progresses. This is an important opportunity for HBS to make a statement on the global stage about the impact our alumni have in leadership roles across all sectors in so many countries around the world.
I welcome your comments on any of these topics and look forward to updating you on progress throughout the year.
