Ted Fischer (PMD 71, 1996) President HBS Alumni Association Photo by Stuart Cahill

As autumn approaches and the HBS Alumni Board prepares for a new year of activity, I want to bring you up-to-date on the group’s most recent accomplishments. But first, it’s important to acknowledge the role this dedicated group of volunteers plays on behalf of the School.

Year after year, Alumni Board members give generously of their time and energy because they know HBS listens and values our feedback. The board’s work over the past year is no exception. Four committees devoted significant time researching vital issues and drafting recommendations. Here are the highlights of each group’s year-end report.

The Alumni Career Services Committee, chaired by Jim Gibbons (MBA ’94), found that alumni are changing job responsibilities and employers more frequently than in the past, and that many are interested in making the transition to entrepreneurial or nonprofit endeavors. The committee also found that Alumni Career Services already has a broad array of beneficial Web-based and on-campus career development offerings, but that awareness of these services is relatively low.

Hence, the committee recommended improving communications to alumni about current career services, and it proposed enhancing the range of services provided.

The Clubs and Associations Committee, chaired by Roslyn Payne (MBA ’70), focused on defining club best practices, key challenges, and governance issues. Almost three-quarters of the 106 club and association presidents responded to a survey designed to lay the groundwork for committee recommendations. Among them: enhance outreach efforts to promote the benefits of membership, especially among two groups not currently well represented — Executive Education alumni and recent MBA graduates. The committee also suggested that clubs consider offering career development services.

The Executive Education Alumni Committee, chaired by Laura Teller (MBA ’84), organized a series of focus-group discussions held on and off campus to identify ways to strengthen the School’s relationship with Executive Education alumni.

One key recommendation called for development of a sustainable model for Executive Education reunions. The committee also suggested creating more opportunities for Executive Education participants to interact with MBA students.

Additional recommendations may result from the analysis of an Executive Education survey planned for this fall. The survey will measure interest in School-sponsored services and programs and help HBS assess the impact of Executive Education programs.

The Global Leadership Forum Committee, chaired by Jean-Marc Daillance (MBA ’84), devoted its efforts early this year to ensuring the success of the Shanghai conference in June, which drew nearly 1,000 delegates, their families, and HBS faculty and staff. (See story.) Congratulations to retiring board member Andrew Yao (MBA ’92) and his dedicated colleagues in China who did a great job of delivering a first-rate conference. The committee’s attention now shifts to the London forum next June.

Finally, on behalf of the entire Alumni Board, a sincere thanks to members whose terms ended in June. In addition to Yao, they are Byron Carlock (MBA ’88), Janet Clarke (AMP 111, 1992), Richard Decker (AMP 98, 1986), Don Hastings (MBA ’53), Tycho Howle (MBA ’79), Kathleen Jackson (MBA ’86), Bud Knopf (MBA ’50, AMP 59, 1970), Mark Schneider (MBA ’93), Richard Shapack (MBA ’71), Bob Shaw II (MBA ’84), Harris Simmons (MBA ’80), and Don Tisdel (MBA ’61).

Looking back over the past year, I’m grateful to be part of such a committed and enthusiastic group of people. The committee work they do on behalf of the School and our alumni will pay dividends for years to come.

Ted Fischer (PMD 71, 1996) President HBS Alumni Association

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