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Chicago Alumni Board Connect

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For organizations focused on solving social and environmental problems, time and resources are often in short supply.

The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation’s Alumni Board Connect (ABC) program was designed to address this issue. 

A nonprofit board–matching program, the initiative connects Chicagoland nonprofits with local Booth alumni looking to join a board of directors.

For nonprofits, it’s a chance to access top-tier business insights and expertise. For alumni, it’s an opportunity to leverage their Booth MBA to make an impact on issues they care about and accelerate social sector innovation.

Alumni and nonprofit applications for the 2023-24 Alumni Board Connect program are now closed. Thank you to all who applied. 

By the Numbers

ABC has connected hundreds of Chicago-area nonprofits with Booth alumni looking to leverage their MBAs for social good. And in keeping with Booth’s multidisciplinary approach, we track our outcomes and the successes of our participating alumni and nonprofits

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10

Number of years that ABC has connected Chicago area nonprofits with alumni

10
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200+

Number of alumni who have been voted onto nonprofit boards of directors through ABC

200+
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140+

Number of nonprofits that have gained board members through ABC

140+

Participate as a Booth Graduate

From addressing systemic poverty to expanding health-care access, organizations in the Chicago ABC network are leading vital social impact work across the city. Serving on the board of one of these nonprofits gives you the opportunity not only to grow your leadership skills and your network, but to take action in supporting causes that matter to you.

You’ll have the chance to:

  • Create social impact by putting your Booth education to work
  • Partner with community leaders to grow your own social sector knowledge and connections
  • Propel important social impact work through strategic projects across finance, marketing, crisis management, and more

The Alumni Board Connect program is open to Chicago-area alumni who graduated from any Booth MBA program at least three years ago OR with 10+ years of work experience.

Alumni applications for the 2023-24 Alumni Board Connect program are now closed. 

"The Alumni Board Connect program can help you find a way to support a cause you truly care about and ensure you'll be able to make a significant impact."
—Noam Avidov, ’15, Board Member, Association House of Chicago

Participate as a Nonprofit

Connecting with motivated candidates who have the right skills for your board of directors is a critical part of your organization’s long-term strategy, but it can be a difficult and time-consuming process. ABC streamlines the process by connecting Chicago-area nonprofits with Booth alumni who want to leverage their MBA skills for social impact.

The program gives you the opportunity to:

  • Recruit an informed, engaged new board member who wants to give back
  • Leverage Booth MBA talent to support strategic projects across finance, marketing, crisis management, and more
  • Gain access to educational opportunities and workshops on board development throughout the year

On the program application, we’ll ask you to describe the skill sets, financial and time commitments, and mission alignment that you’re looking for in a board member. We’ll work to identify a candidate who meets those needs.

Not sure whether to participate in Alumni Board Connect or Net Impact Board Fellows?

Find out which program is the right fit for you

Nonprofit applications for the 2023-24 Alumni Board Connect program are now closed. 

"It can be challenging to find a diverse group of candidates for our board who can lend a variety of skills to help our organization grow. Chicago Booth alumni bring with them expertise that benefits our organization greatly."
—Steve Leaver, Executive Director, Imagination Theater

Meet our Executives in Residence

Learn from industry experts in the Rustandy Center’s network, who work closely with students as mentors and advisors and share insights from their experience in the social sector. Learn more about opportunities to engage with Dorri McWhorter and Todd Connor.

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Todd Connor, ’07, Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Board Service

Todd Connor, '07, is the founder of Bunker Labs, a national entrepreneurship organization dedicated to helping the military-connected community start and grow businesses in over 40 chapters across the United States. He is the founder of The Collective Academy, a leadership development consulting firm, as well as Emerson House, a luxe retreat venue in La Porte, Indiana. He is currently CEO of Veterans for Political Innovation, an organization he co-founded to fight political polarization and advocate for more political competition and choice for voters. Todd also serves as the lead facilitator for the President George W. Bush Veteran Leadership Program in Dallas, Texas.

Todd Connor, ’07, Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Board Service
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Dorri McWhorter, Nonprofit Engagement

Dorri McWhorter is president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Most recently, McWhorter was CEO of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, leading the 140-year-old social service agency's expansion of digital services and helped develop an exchange-traded fund (ETF) for women’s empowerment. A winner of innovation awards and a 20-year veteran in large-scale change management consulting, McWhorter was a partner at Crowe Horwath LLP and a senior leader at Snap-on Incorporated and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Dorri McWhorter, Nonprofit Engagement

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