HBS Alumni Clubs Continue to Strengthen the Harvard Global Connection

By Shiela Manalo and Marge Friginal-Sanchez
As the Harvard Business School community keeps growing, its alumni clubs and associations continue to build and strengthen lasting connections. A principal activity that fosters this connection is the annual HBS Alumni Club Leadership Conference (CLC), where both leaders and alumni engage with fellow officers to brainstorm key strategies and share best practices.
This year’s conference was held at the Harvard Business School in Boston last May 30 and 31, with Harvard Business School Club of the Philippines director and John Clements Consultants President and CEO Carol Dominguez in attendance.

A reception and dinner at the Harvard Club of Boston was held on the eve of the conference, where the HBS Clubs and Associations Team formally welcomed the participants. An informal gathering at Scullers Jazz Club followed.


On the morning of May 31st, participants congregated at Hawes Hall after breakfast for the conference proper. HBS External Relations executive director Janet Cahill officially opened the event with a brief progress report. “In the past, HBS clubs used to have minimal connections and little positioning as a global community,” she said. Today, club teams organize programs and activities that connect and engage various HBS clubs, interest groups, and liaisons in 49 countries worldwide.

What’s next for the HBS Club? Continued regional focus and leveraging opportunities for existing and new programs, as well as continuous learning and engagement with regards to collaborations with Harvard Business Publishing and Executive Education.
Club membership and value proposition
A panel on club membership and value proposition commenced afterwards where the first panelist, HBS Association of Hong Kong president Alison Chan, provided an overview on her local chapter’s membership and event planning activities. “We aim to inspire and contribute to the Hong Kong local community as a group,” she said. “We connect HBS alumni to develop meaningful relationships, and inspire each other to grow.”

HBS Club of Atlanta co-president Robin Gregg next gave a report on her group, one of the most active business school clubs in Atlanta, although membership has recently taken a drop. Efforts to improve membership include a discounted pricing membership drive and targeted communications.
A presentation by HBS Association of Boston incoming president Stephen Pittman followed, consisting of program and membership strategies, sponsorship models, and three business pillars — social enterprise, entrepreneurship, leadership — that help realize the Boston chapter’s mission to “connect HBS and other leaders who make a difference.”
Club programs and initiatives
In the next panel, HBS African American Alumni Association Student Affairs director Erin Patten gave a rundown on his group. “We are dedicated to building and sustaining a network that engages alumni, current students, and applicants with HBS to increase our connection to the school, and the broader African-American community.” Erin then announced the 50th anniversary conference and celebration of the AASU, which will be held in April 2018.
HBS Club of South Florida board member and person-in-charge of events and young alumni Nassar Farid Mufdi Ruiz covered a collection of diverse affairs catering to youthful alumni such as the HBS supper club, a Harvard vs. Yale Miami watch party, an evening of history and mini-golf, and “Of course, monthly Happy Hours!”

Lastly, HBS Club of New York co-VP for Programming Lance Stuart shared updates on the 2017 HBSCNY organization chart and a comparison between the HBS Orange Country club and the New York chapter, with significant differences in membership, structure and partnership strategies.
Democracy: A Case Study
Is American democracy in trouble? What is the health of American democracy? These were the questions explored during the track on “Democracy: A Case Study”, where author and historian David Moss adapted the case study method made famous by Harvard Business School on governance, democracy, and how the US thrives on political conflict.

Participants discussed the history of American democracy, values and differences between US presidents, and how democracy and faith in the political system remain the glue that holds the country together — although due to the current presidential administration, the US has been downgraded from a “full democracy” to a “flawed democracy”, underscored by rising skepticism and declining faith. The core challenge, according to David Moss, is better governance through a stronger culture of democracy.
What does this have to do with HBS clubs? If HBS alumni are interested, regular get-togethers could be scheduled where political case studies such as “Democracy” could be discussed, from democrat and republican standpoints. This could be part of an effort to strengthen the culture of American democracy.

Club governance protocols, financial processes and partnership opportunities
“Good people create good outcomes” was one of the key takeaways in this panel headed by HBS Club of Boston vice-chairman Bill Le Sage, HBS Association of Northern California treasurer Pat Kelly, and HBS Club of Connecticut president Roger Cole. Rules and responsibilities for members, directors, and officers, updates to the treasurer’s calendar, and details on cross club collaborations were also reviewed.
School department updates
The final panel consisted of HBS executive education and professional development updates, where MBA executive director Jana Kierstead, Corporate Relations-Executive Education director Christopher Gant, and Career & Professional Development managing director Kristen Fitzpatrick highlighted upcoming programs in their respective departments. One notable example is a hybrid program model for Harvard Business Publishing that will integrate the face-to-face classroom and case method with virtual modules and HBX components. An update on the Harvard career website — with new archives, coaches, and access to Harvard Manage Mentor — was also presented.
The conference wrapped up with a participant survey and an alumni volunteer leadership reception.

The Harvard Business School (HBS) Alumni Clubs and Associations is a global network of alumni organizations managed by the HBS Clubs Team. With currently more than 100 clubs within its network, the organization aims to create, foster, and strengthen connections between the alumni and Harvard Business School. For more information, visit the HBS website.
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About the authors:
Shiela Manalo is a freelancer who specializes in writing, graphic design, and video editing. She is currently an editor and writer for John Clements Consultants, Inc. Shiela earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Media Studies from San Beda College Alabang.
Marge Friginal-Sanchez is an editor and writer for John Clements Consultants, Inc. She was previously connected with Goodyear Philippines and the American Chamber of Commerce. Marge studied creative writing at Gotham Writers’ Workshop, New York, and is a Business Management graduate of Assumption College.


