The HBS Club of Washington, DC teamed up with the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative (SEI) on April 2, to present an alumni panel discussion on social impact titled “New Perspectives in Social Enterprise,” featuring HBS Professor Shawn Cole.

Approximately 60 people attended the in-person event, held at JLL in Washington, to get insights from alumni working in the public sector and nonprofit space.

Shawn Cole is a professor in the Finance Unit and has taught in a variety of MBA courses including finance and impact investing. He also serves as the SEI’s faculty chair, and in that role, he organized and moderated the panel discussion, which featured Rosie Allen-Herring (SPNM 2015) the President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the National Capital Area, and Representative Josh Harder (MBA 2014) from California’s 9th Congressional District, who serves on the Appropriations Committee which controls the federal budget.

“Given the current market conditions and political dynamics, we wanted to understand the path forward for social enterprise practitioners, and how we can continue to have impact,” says club president Sameera Bazaz (MBA 1999).

Bazaz says the club initially reached out to Cole about holding an event to strengthen and expand the club’s Social Enterprise Alumni Interest Group. But with new federal cuts dealing a blow to a wide range of public services, the panel discussion became a timely opportunity to consider how the social enterprise community might respond.

“Rosie Allen-Herring, from the United Way, gave us the social enterprise perspective,” says Bazaz. “She said that in DC particularly, many donors to organizations like the United Way often tend to be people like you and I who donate $50 or what have you. They’re not wealthy. But now in DC, many of those same donors might have very well have lost their public sector jobs and could need United Way’s services. So, they’re still constituents but in a new capacity. Her response is to figure out new ways to do what they do. It gave us a lot to think about.”

Harder gave his perspective on the government’s role in social enterprise and how it can continue to lead in this area despite current setbacks.

“I expected him to be very ‘doom and gloom,’ but he actually was fairly positive,” says Bazaz. “He said this is a great opportunity look at how we do what we do in the government sector—to look at everything, the processes, the people. And how can we do things differently, and encourage more young, innovative people to get involved?

“The conversation ended with a positive frame of mind,” she adds. “One of the takeaways was that clearly there’s still a lot to be done in social enterprise. Despite what’s happening in our current political or economic environment, there are still ways to make impact.”

Prior to the panel discussion, Cole and SEI Director Amelia Angella (MBA 2001), along with SEI Program Director Margot Dushin, held a roundtable conversation for 15 HBS alumni working in social enterprise in the DC region to learn how to best support their work. “This was a chance to listen to our alumni and learn what are the biggest challenges their organizations are facing right now,” says Emily Rodriguez, SEI’s Associate Director for Alumni Engagement. “It helps us figure out how the School can be as responsive as possible to what our alumni need. We want to make sure we have a pulse on what nonprofit leaders are grappling with so that our program content is relevant to them. We’re always thinking about what to do next to keep people engaged and what that can look like.”

The HBS Club of Montreal, in partnership with the Harvard Club of Quebec, recently presented back-to-back virtual discussions on Canada’s economic relationship with the US following the imposition of steep new tariffs.

The new trade policies are sparking a broader re-evaluation of Canada’s economic competitiveness, productivity, regulations, the role of government, taxation, and purpose within the global economy, according to club President Alain Balian (AMP 182, 2012).

He says the recently rebooted club was eager to engage alumni in the national conversation on the still-evolving situation. “We needed more insight into what’s going on and what the consequences might be. Several of our alumni have important positions within the Canadian economy and in Quebec’s, in particular. We need to contribute to this debate about the future of the Canadian economy and the relationship with the United States. I believe we have the capabilities and maybe the responsibility to add value to this national reflection.”

In the first session, HBS Professor Laura Alfaro shared her perspective on the situation as an expert in international finance and economics, and former Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy for Costa Rica. In a follow-up session, Joe Oliver (MBA 1970), who previously served as Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and later as Finance Minister, gave a talk highlighting the ways Canada must adapt and re-orient its economic policy in light of the new trade realities.

In her talk, Professor Alfaro highlighted Canada’s dependence, in certain sectors, on the US economy, and how tariffs will impact both countries. She noted that there are some states, like Texas and Michigan, who trade extensively with Canada. Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be at risk if their trade relationships were to fall apart.

For the follow-up virtual conversation, Oliver laid out several critical ways that Canada must adapt. “We urgently need to address slow growth of our resource industries, blocked internal trade, intrusive regulations, unaffordable and anti-competitive taxes, profligate spending, bloated government, limited market diversification and capital flight,” he said.

Developing the country’s “immense natural resources” including liquid natural gas and expanding overseas energy markets are top priorities, according to Oliver. “Exploiting our rich inheritance would strengthen our independence and sovereignty, precisely what we need to counter Trump’s tariffs and 51st-state talk. It would generate economic growth and raise revenue our governments could devote to improving social programs, reducing deficits, creating jobs and attracting capital.”

In essence, the conversations “were really about Canada getting its act together now that there’s this external pressure,” says Balian.

The two events were part of a wider strategy to rebuild alumni engagement with the club, which had been mostly inactive since 2016. Balian became its new president last summer and has begun collaborating with the Harvard Club of Quebec on some programming since the clubs have an overlap in membership. Alumni from the HBS Clubs of Toronto and Vancouver, as well as the Harvard Club of the Atlantic, were invited to join in the virtual events.

“We had never connected with Toronto or Vancouver before,” says Balian. “So now we have this larger alumni network as we continue to build our programming. And we’ve reconnected with HBS, as well. We want to attract more people and make the club a serious forum on Canada’s economic issues.”

The club is planning to continue the trade conversation with more virtual and in-person events this year.

Kelly Mackey (AMP 199, 2021), Chief Financial Officer, RTD

When did you take on this leadership role, and why?
When I moved from Massachusetts to Colorado in 2021, I was eager to build new connections and establish a strong community here. I found exactly that in the HBS Club of Colorado. The previous president, Kelly Owens (MBA 2010), inspired me with her leadership and passion for the club, and I wanted to continue that momentum of giving back while deepening my own roots in the region. I stepped into the role in November of 2021.

Why do you want to give back in this way?
HBS shaped so much of who I am as a leader. Giving back to the alumni community feels like both a privilege and a responsibility. The club is a powerful vehicle for connection, support, and inspiration. I’m proud to play a role in keeping that energy going.

What does the club mean to you?
It’s a continuation of the HBS experience. It’s where the case method turns into real-life conversations, where leadership is lived out through service, and where lifelong friendships are built. It’s a way to stay connected to the values and energy of HBS long after graduation.

What have you accomplished to date that you are excited about—and what do you still hope to accomplish?
I’m proud of the traction we’ve gained so far, especially in growing engagement among alumni in Boulder and expanding the network of HBS women here in Colorado. My goal is to increase engagement by creating more meaningful, relevant opportunities for connection—whether that’s helping alumni grow their careers, scale their businesses, or simply find their people. I’m also focused on building strong partnerships with groups like the Rocky Mountain Harvard University Club, Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, Alumni Forum Services, and the HBS Women’s Association and Student Association. I want to keep Colorado front and center at HBS—making sure our voices, ideas, and impact are represented on campus and across the broader alumni network.

Why should alumni who live in Colorado join your club?
Living in Colorado comes with its own kind of lifestyle and energy—and the club reflects that. It’s a way to stay connected to HBS while plugging into a local network of people who are smart, driven, and genuinely supportive. If you’re looking for inspiration, collaboration, or just great conversation, this is the place.

What was your favorite/most impactful class at HBS?
Professor Youngme Moon’s final session in the Advanced Management Program, which focused on Amazon but quickly became about much more. Her closing reflections on the meaning of real success, the privilege of pursuing passion, and the power of presence were the most memorable for me. They reminded me that while ambition drives many of us, it’s presence, caring, and gratitude that truly sustain us.

What’s the best advice you could give an incoming HBS student?
Soak it all in. The people around you are just as much a part of the learning as the curriculum itself. Be curious, be present, and don’t just aim to impress—aim to connect. The relationships you build at HBS will shape your life in ways you can’t yet imagine.

Who or what gives you energy every day?
Professor Arthur Brooks’ framework of faith, family, friends, and meaningful work deeply resonates with me. When I’m intentional about nurturing all four, I feel energized and clear-headed, even on the busiest days.

How do you relax? / Do you have a hobby?
I relax by running, skiing in the Rockies, and spending time with my daughter. I also enjoy reconnecting with HBS alumni for meaningful conversations and laughter. Recently, I was inspired by a classmate to try running a marathon on every continent. I’m currently training for the Rio de Janeiro marathon, and the process has become a joyful blend of challenge and self-care.

What are you reading / binge-watching?
I’m currently reading The Portfolio Life by HBS Senior Lecturer Christina Wallace. I first heard her speak at the HBS Women’s Summit in November 2024 and was deeply inspired. The book explores how to design a life that’s intentionally multifaceted—aligned with both purpose and flexibility.

Favorite restaurant in your area?
I recently went to Le Colonial in Cherry Creek (Denver) with my HBS Alumni Forum friends, and it’s officially one of my favorites. The food was delicious.

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