be intentional, curating experiences and connection opportunities that resonate. This requires high-quality data and scalable solutions to meet alumni where they are, both professionally and personally.” How do you measure the success and impact of your alumni network initiatives, beyond just participation rates? What metrics are most important to you and how do you track them? “To drive engagement and enhance professional success, we are actively increasing our alumni volunteers as engagement leaders, leveraging their industry expertise as speakers, panellists and mentors. We measure the impact by tracking participation rates in such efforts compared to general engagement events, as well as counting the number of volunteers in these categories. “We achieve success through a comprehensive approach. We start with data quality, ensuring we gather sufficient information on those willing to support and champion these initiatives. Then we align the event concept and format with the objective and final participation. Finally, we track these initiatives to recognise alumni who contribute to the IE community.” In what ways does your alumni network support students and how do you facilitate such connections (eg mentoring programmes, career advice, networking events)? “We facilitate student-alumni connections through various formats. Our mentoring programmes cater to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, including those with a specific interest in entrepreneurship. “Our undergraduate and young professional student base highly value career advice, exemplified by our Grads Give Back events, where alumni provide
candid insights on careers and effective ways of entering the job market. We have also launched a series of networking nights where students and alumni interact in a ‘speed networking’ style.” How has technology changed the way you connect with and engage your alumni network? What tools or platforms have been effective and what are their limitations? “Technology is essential. In today’s age, we must personalise and curate experiences. While we may have the necessary information to do this, the key challenges tend to lie in how easily one can combine valid data points, especially when dealing with multiple systems. “Effective campaigning requires a multi-channel approach whereby we complement digital tools – such as social media and engagement platforms – with the human element, ie our engagement leaders and volunteers around the world who can direct communication where alumni have the highest visibility.” Looking ahead, what are the key priorities for the future development of your alumni network? What new strategies or initiatives are you exploring to enhance engagement and impact? “First, we aim to further strengthen the impact of our engagement activities by incorporating more career-driven initiatives. By doing so, we create more opportunities for our esteemed alumni to share their expertise and insights. “We are also exploring scalable solutions and capabilities to serve as key enablers for future networking purposes, whether digital or physical. To truly personalise and enhance engagement in a data-powered world, a deep understanding of our alumni’s interests and needs is essential.”
SARA LINDGREN Head of global alumni relations IE University, Madrid What are the biggest challenges you face in engaging alumni with the business school and with each other, particularly across different generations and geographic locations? “I always say that diversity is our greatest asset – and also our most thrilling challenge – especially as it relates to alumni engagement. At IE University, we embrace diversity in every shape and form and it’s this richness that makes our alumni network so unique and full of possibilities. “Each year, students from more than 160 countries come together at our university, working in diverse teams with peers from different cultures, backgrounds and skill sets. This encourages them to embrace new perspectives and develop as globally minded leaders. “Then there is what we call the ‘IE experience’: each student’s journey is unique, shaped by their programme and classmates and their experience of campus life – whether they study for a bachelor’s in business or an executive education degree, in Madrid, Segovia, or online. “Our alumni represent a wide spectrum of career moments: from landing their first job to climbing the corporate ladder, launching a start-up, transitioning industries and so on. This enriches our network and creates opportunities for connection, mentorship and lifelong engagement. “Navigating such a wide range of interests and locations means we must
32 Ambition • ISSUE 3 • 2025
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