Boston University School of Management

Largest Link Day Ever

2009-03-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

This year over sixty MBA students from BU joined forces with local nonprofits to make a significant impact on the local community. Students from a multitude of disciplines were formed into teams of four to help local nonprofits overcome different organization challenges.

"After spending the majority of my days studying theories and lessons learned from case studies, it is incredibly refreshing to be able to apply my newfound skills to a real world challenge with an organization like NDEC that can benefit from my service."

Cabul Mehta

1^st year MBA/MPH

“Link Day was an answer to a long standing prayer - a tremendous service! The team was interested in our non-profit needs, helped me to formulate the best approach to address our financial system problems, and worked diligently to help resolve them. They operated as a "think tank" researching, developing, and implementing strategies to improve our financial systems.”
Katherine Allen Combs
CEO Program Development
GRASP, Inc.

“The Link Day planning committee was especially proud of this year’s event because we were able to expand it by 50%. Our fundraising efforts proved more successful than anticipated, particularly in this economic climate, which allowed us to increase the number of nonprofits, MBA students, and faculty members participating. It was very rewarding to be able to increase the number of people who could be positively impacted by our efforts.”

Molly Brown

Link Day Co-Chair, 1^st year MBA

Participating organizations:

Brockton Day Nursery

Cardinal Cushing Center

Citizens Schools

Crossroads for Kids

Gifford Cat Center

Grasp Inc.

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

MA Center for the Book

MyTown Inc

National Autism Center

NDEC

The Food Project

Raising a Reader

Pathways to Wellness

The New Prosperity Initiative

PNP Students Seek Alumni Internship Assistance

2009-03-14T16:42:00.001-07:00

Kathryn Batley’s background has been divided between a variety of New England museums and equity research at a large financial investment firm. To fuse her unique experiences and passion, she would like to spend her summer working in non-profit finance or private/corporate philanthropy. Contact: kbatley@bu.edu

Cesar Calvo Medina, CFA has over 5 years experience in M&A business development and strategy in one of the most important financial institutions in Europe. He is looking for a field project abroad involving social entrepreneurship or microfinance. He would also be interesting in working for a Venture Capital or mutual fund investing in social enterprises. Contact: cesarcm@bu.edu.

Ana Cruz has a background in non-profit development, including fundraising and marketing, with additional experience in research and administration. She is interested in pursuing a career in cause marketing or corporate social responsibility and is seeking a summer internship that will allow her to hone her marketing skills. Contact: anacruz@bu.edu.

Sarah Foster has a background in fundraising, grant-writing, and budgeting for nonprofits. She is looking for opportunities in evaluating philanthropic initiatives either at the corporate or the foundation level. Contact: sarfos@bu.edu or 607.425.3275.

Michael Hughes has over five years experience in the education field, primarily in admissions and advising roles in higher education. He is interested in an internship with a for-profit company focused on advancing and making a business case for CSR and/or sustainability initiatives. Contact: mhhughes@bu.edu / (617) 680-9404.

Ashley Jablow has five years of fundraising, marketing, and event-planning experience in major, planned and annual giving for nonprofit organizations. She enrolled in BU’s Public and Nonprofit Management program to build on her experience in the nonprofit sector and develop a more well-rounded understanding of best practices in business. In the future, Ashley hopes to transition into a role in a cause marketing, corporate responsibility, or environmental sustainability at a for-profit firm. She is also very interested in social entrepreneurship and innovation and is interested in for-profit business models that have an inherent social benefit. Contact: ajablow@bu.edu.

Ellen Manz has 4 years of experience managing a team focused on volunteer and crisis management at a high school exchange organization. Her career goals lie in financial or operations management at a social services organization. This summer she is interested in working in Boston at an organization focused on youth and families services. Contact: emanz@bu.edu

Laura Plattner has a background in publishing and extensive volunteer experience in education, fundraising, and development. This summer she would like to work in microfinance or social entrepreneurship. Contact: plattner@bu.edu.

Eun A Rim has eight years of working experience in conducting assurance services for multinational companies including audits and due diligence reviews. Through the summer internship, she would like to transform her financial background in profit sector to non-profit sector. She is particularly interested in organizations whose missions are related to education and/or medical services to communities. Contact: Eun A Rim, eunarim@bu.edu, 617-999-6400.

Eloise Russo has managed after-school and summer school programs for at-risk youth and has organized conferences and professional training events for nonprofits. Eloise has a degree in Peace & Justice Studies from Tufts University and this summer she is hoping to work with an education or conflict resolution organization. Contact: eloiser@bu.edu

Lisa Tobias has over five years of experience in the field of education management. She has worked in almost all school positions, from teacher to academic director to summer camp director to financial manager. This summer she is hoping to work for an organization in which education and training play a central role in the mission. Contact: ltobias@bu.edu, (617) 820-3784.

Peyton Williams has 10 years of experience in the field of education. He worked in fundraising and marketing for a historic public-private partnership in New York City, and most recently handled complex operational challenges as a manager working with public schools. He is looking to work at a private sector company in operations, marketing, or human resources. Contact: peytonw@bu.edu, (646) 352-2525.

Please continually check back for additional vignettes.

Spring Alumni Social - RSVP Today!

2009-03-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Last spring, more than 75 PNP alums, current students and faculty gathered at the Foundation Lounge in Kenmore to network and catch up with friends and former classmates. Please join us for this year’s Spring Alumni Social!

Date: Friday, April 3^rd

Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Venue: Foundation Lounge

500 Commonwealth Ave

Boston, MA

Please click here to RSVP. Appetizers will be served. Valet parking is available for $16 ($14 if the ticket is validated at the lounge). There is also street parking available around the lounge. Click here for pictures from last year’s event.

Alumni Networking Brunch - March 29th

2009-03-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

The PNP Club has organized the following event:

Date: Sunday, March 29^th

Time: 10:00am

Venue: Masa Restaurant

439 Tremont Street

Boston, MA

The purpose of this event is to get a group of students and alums together who have similar interests/expertise to chat about the internship/job search during the current economic recession.

Students who have RSVPed are interested in the following areas: Arts, Philanthropy, Nonprofit Consulting, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Microfinance, Human Services, Organizational Development, Employee Engagement, and Education.

If you have similar interests/expertise and would like to join us for the brunch, please RSVP to Helen Wong at wongh@bu.edu by Sunday, March 22^nd with your area of interest/expertise. The cost per attendee is $10. Hope you can join us!

The PNP Program Is Going to Brazil!

2009-03-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Twenty GSM students will be celebrating the end of exams with a trip to Brazil on the annual Social Enterprise Field Seminar. Led by, PNP Program Director, Kristen McCormack, the group plans to center its twelve-day experience around three major themes:

· Agrobusiness in the northern city of Fortaleza;

· Social and cultural issues in Salvador; and

· Multi-national/large business issues in Rio de Janeiro.

This year, seven people full-time students, nine PEMBAs, and three international management concentrators have signed up. The students have a wide range of interests including healthcare, microfinance, corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and renewable energy. They will be visiting with local NGOs, politicians, and multi-national corporations; and potentially participate in small-scale consulting projects during their visit.

Please check back for additional updates on the trip!

10th Annual BU Symposium a Success!

2009-03-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

On February 28^th, BU hosted our 10^th Annual Symposium: Reinventing Management. Randy C. Papadellis, President and CEO of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. kicked off the day’s events with his morning keynote address, followed by eleven panel sessions, and concluded with Dr. Gary Hamel’s, “the world’s leading expert on business strategy”, according to Fortune Magazine, afternoon keynote address.

The Public and Non-Profit Club hosted a panel titled “Reinventing Non-Profit Management: Taking Advantage of Business Best Practices” which addressed the strategies of non-profits in the current economic climate and how non-profit organizations can utilitie business’s best practices to meet the current societal needs. The panelists include:

Professor David Weil, Moderator

Boston University School of Management

Melissa Gopnik, Managing Director

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center

Susan MacDougall, Managing Director

The Food Project

Sue Marsh, Executive Director

Rosie’s Place

Nancy Sullivan Skinner, Chief Development Officer

Citi Performing Arts Center

Updates from the Recipients of the PNP Internship Sustainability Fund

2009-03-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

Kunal Ambasht
Organization: Asha for Education

I had never imagined that my summer internship with Asha for Education would be such a transforming experience. As an Intern Consultant, I was involved with the administrator and teachers for two schools in a rural village in India. Initially, my scope was limited to implementing a new action-based teaching method but soon I became an inseparable part of the community and got involved in other areas of school operations as well. During the two months, some of our key achievements were a new routine that had the right balance between internal needs and external standards of the new method, improved teachers' training's effectiveness, and library's utilization.

The internship experience brought out my consensus building ability to the forefront. I worked with Software Engineers and Business Analysts - getting them on the same page was child's play compared to aligning the focus of emotionally charged parents, teachers, and administrators.

I am thankful to Professor Kristen McCormack for showing her confidence in me and nominating me for the PNP Internship Sustainability Fund stipend.

***

Gertjan Flikweert
Organization: Hope Alive!

I had the privilege to intern this summer with a Christian mission organization in Uganda called Hope Alive! Hope Alive! works with orphans and children from impoverished families providing them with everything they need for a better future (including by not limited to education, housing, emotional/spiritual support, etc). My main task with administrative; but I was able to work with the children on a regular basis, tutoring them in math, and assisting with the weekly Saturday program. The rest of the time I worked on the financial statements (or rather created them, because they were not there). I was able to get their finances in order for the first six months of 2008 and prepared budgeting templates, so the different sites (Hope Alive! has four sites throughout the country) will be able to start budgeting for each upcoming month. I also trained the administrative assistant, so he would be able to keep the books up-to-date and produce the financial statements himself when needed. Overall, I had a great experience, especially since I am looking to find a job in development in a developing country!

***

Kezia Koo

Organization: Mercy Corp.

I spent 2.5 months in a poor rural area in India called Assam which is the largest tea producing area in the country. Starbucks sources about 90% of its Indian teas from this area. They have partnered with Mercy Corp to improve the lives of the laborers working on the tea plantations. These tea workers support entire families on less than $2 USD per day and are living in poverty. Starbucks has set aside money to be invested in micro-enterprises under the direction of Mercy Corps to improve the well-being of these people. The people receive micro-loans from Mercy Corp which along with training allows them to start their own micro-business which supplements their income from picking tea leaves.

I had three projects while I was the there. The first was to determine the feasibility of a new poultry company that would help the farmers establish their own chicken businesses. The company opened it doors in August and is currently working with 30 farmers. The second project was developing an excel-based model to track the financial performance of the micro-businesses so that Mercy Corp could ensure that businesses were healthy and provide further assistance as necessary. Most of the entrepreneurs haven't been keeping any financial records so this involved training them on bookkeeping as well as training Mercy Corp staff on making sense of the financial data. For my last project, I was analyzed the value chain of the domestic patchouli oil industry to determine what part of the chain Mercy Corp should get involved in. I did a business plan for this project during my Starting New Ventures Class this past Fall and the business will be funded this upcoming summer.

***

Taline Lorensian

Organization: Wall Street Without Walls

Taline spent her summer interning with Wall Street Without Walls (WSWW www.wallstreetwithoutwalls.com). WSWW’s mission is to fill a finance expertise gap in the nonprofit sector.” By matching volunteer financial experts with community development organizations, WSWW uses education and access to services as a way of empowering these organizations. During her internship, Taline researched financial models related to the securitization of community development loans and wrote project case studies on WSWW projects. This internship allowed her to learn about the world of structured finance as well as the challenges involved in running a small nonprofit. She also had the opportunity to learn directly from financial experts volunteering for WSWW. Those interactions have proved invaluable as Taline completes her MBA.

Alums Invited to Net Impact Case Competition on April 7th

2008-04-04T09:00:00.011-07:00

PNP alums are invited to attend the 13th Annual Net Impact Case Competition:

Monday, April 7th

3:30 - 9:00 p.m.

(Alums are invited to attend between 6:15 and 9:00)

The Case Competition is a unique experience that exposes students in the Boston University MBA program to the impact of corporate social responsibility on business today. It highlights the growing influence of the triple bottom line and how companies have effectively used it to achieve social sustainability.

Nine student teams of 3-4 students will participate in the competition. After receiving a case study focused on corporate social responsibility, each team will present their proposal before a group of judges selected from this year's sponsors, business partners and school faculty. The presentations will be followed by a 5-minute question and answer session. Judges will select the three best presentations and finalists will present in a final round in front of all judges and students. Prizes will be awarded based on the best case analysis. Innovation, creativity and feasibility are some of the key criteria for a winning presentation.

Cash prizes of $1500, $500 and $250 will be awarded. This year's sponsors include Cone, State Street, TJX, Watson Wyatt and Wainwright Bank. Jonathan Rosenthal, founder of Equal Exchange and Oke USA will be the keynote speaker appearing at 6:30pm. All alumni and friends are invited to the keynote address and following reception.

There is no cost to attend. Please email Helen Wong at wongh@bu.edu for more information or if you plan to attend.

February Alumni Networking Event a Success!

2008-04-04T09:00:00.010-07:00

More than 75 PNP alums, current students and faculty gathered on February 27th at the Foundation Lounge in Boston to network and catch up with friends and former classmates. Organized by PNP student Helen Wong ('09), attendees enjoyed complimentary appetizers, a cash bar and socializing.

Kristen McCormack, Faculty Director, PNP Program and "Friend of PNP" Payman Mazaheri, Bank of America (BU MBA '07)

Kate Demase, Whole Foods ('06) and Pauline Jeong ('09)
Caryn Izhar, Boston Convention Marketing Center ('03), Kim Haskins, Barr Foundation ('03) and Marinell Rousmaniere, Boston After School and Beyond ('03)
Current PNP students Brendan Longcore, Taline Lorensian, Scott Blackwell and Ali Siegel
Ellen Janis, Development & Alumni Officer for SMG and Kristen McCormack ('92)

PNP Students Seek Alumni Assistance for Internships

2008-04-04T09:00:00.009-07:00

PNP students are actively applying for and securing their summer internships. If you haven't yet thought about your summer internship needs it's not too late but act soon! Please check out what some of these great students are interested in to see if they may be a good fit with your organization.

Alan Park has over five years of experience managing the administration of a large-scale health research study, and prior to that worked in marketing communications for a technology startup. This summer he is hoping to work for a social enterprise in which technology plays a central role in furthering the mission. Contact: apark@bu.edu

Anna Eng has a background in non-profit management and governance and in event management. She would like to pursue a career in cause marketing or in community relations for a socially-responsible for-profit company. Contact: annaeng2@gmail.com

Brendan Longcore's background is primarily in government contracting. His career goals lie in transportation infrastructure and government consulting. He would like to spend the summer working in a setting involved with public service delivery, either in a non-profit organization or within a government office. Contact: longcore@bu.edu

Catherine Burke has a background in program management and proposal writing. She is looking for a summer internship experience in programming or development at an education nonprofit or a museum. Contact: cburke@bu.edu

Cathy Su has a background in property management, primarily in the low-income housing market. This summer she is planning to work for a socially-responsible for-profit company or a non-profit in the area of corporate philanthropy, community relations, development, or marketing. Contact: cathy.su@gmail.com

Kristina Munger has seven years of leadership experience in human resources that includes developing strategic initiatives, managing employee relations, and creating and implementing policies. She is interested in an internship opportunity working in CSR and employee engagement initiatives with a socially-responsible for-profit or non-profit organization focused on advancing sustainable business practices. Contact: kmunger@bu.edu

Lonn Drucker has over three years of data analysis and research experience in the public and nonprofit sector. This summer, Lonn plans to combine his background in data analysis with core business competencies to add value to an organization focused on generating clean energy, cultivating sustainability, or promoting energy efficiencies to address climate change. During the past semester, Lonn represented BU at the Third Annual Boston University International Tech Strategy Business Case Competition and has played a key role on an Ignite Clean Energy Competition semi-finalist team (still ongoing). Contact: ldrucker@gmail.com

Michelle Liberatore has a background in analytics, marketing and market research within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. This summer, she is looking forward to using these skills and those she is developing at BU in working in marketing or fundraising for a larger nonprofit or foundation, such as Special Olympics, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the National MS Society. Contact: michelleliberatore@gmail.com

Sarah Guerette has a background in international development, and is professionally interested in community development from an economic and social perspective. She is looking to work in the area of community outreach for a nonprofit focused on community development, or a socially responsible for-profit company.
Contact: sarahguerette@gmail.com

Scott Blackwell has five years of financial analysis and management experience in a major research university setting. He is seeking an internship with a socially responsible investment company or a non-profit institution focused on advancing socially responsible corporate governance. Contact: wscottb@bu.edu

Taline Lorensian has eight years experience in retail management with a focus on client interaction. She would like to spend this summer working for a nonprofit that focuses on economic development and microfinance, either domestically or internationally.
Contact: talines@comcast.net

PNP Leads Alums to Urban Education

2008-04-04T09:00:00.008-07:00

For these four alums, the PNP program led them to careers dedicated to improving urban education. Emily Shamieh (’81), Susan Casey (’05), Jagdish Chokshi ('99) and Carrie McPherson (’07), share a passion for helping under served children while serving as integral part of school administration.

Emily Shamieh says her greatest thrill is "when a Kindergarten student tugs on my skirt and wants to show me writing that he has done," she said.

Shamieh has been the principal of the John Winthrop School in Dorchester for the past 11 years. Prior to this role, she taught for six years as a second grade bilingual teacher. After graduating from the PNP program in 1981, she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Ultimately, it was when Massachusetts passed the Transitional Bilingual Education Law in the 1970s that inspired Shamieh to work in urban education. "It fascinated me to think that children would be instructed in their native language and English too," she said.

As principal, Shamieh works to develop after-school activities to enrich students' opportunities, through the assistance of a multi-year $350,000 grant. She has been able to secure resources for her school to better carry out initiatives. "In this time of serious budget cuts in Boston Public Schools, I use the skills I have acquired from PNP and experience so that no idea goes unfunded," she said.

"I am helping to give parents a voice," she said, "I want them to become vocal, savvy consumers of their children's education and hope that having that voice will enable them to advocate better for themselves and their families in health care, housing, and jobs."

Like Shamieh, Susan Casey works in the Greater Boston area. After receiving a master's degree in education, Casey worked as an administrator in higher education. She then was involved in founding the Esperanza Academy, a faith-based, tuition-free middle school for low-income girls in Lawrence, MA, while getting her MBA.

Two years after her graduation she went to work as Esperanza's development staff member. "I felt 'called' to be a part of Esperanza in a new way," she said.

As Development Director, Casey raises the entire operating budget each year. She is responsible for everything from marketing materials, fundraising events, the annual fund, stewardship and major gift cultivation to gift acknowledgment and database management.

"I love the girls and their families," she said. "I enjoy knowing that each day I am helping to make a difference in their lives, that they are getting a great middle-school education and are expected to go on to high school and college."

Jagdish Chokshi is making an excellent education available to the city of Boston's poorest students in his role as the Dean of Administration and Finance for the Neighborhood House Charter School, a pre-K-8 charter school in Dorchester. He served a pivotal role in planning, financing and building the beautiful new school facility that now houses 400 students from Dorchester and surrounding Boston neighborhoods. A seasoned finance director, Jagdish also worked at Citizen Schools where he served as Finance Director of this national youth development organization.

After serving as a volunteer teacher with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Boston, an interest in urban education led Carrie McPherson to California. She is the Director of Human Resources for Aspire Public Schools, a high growth organization (20-30% per year for the past 10 years), spread across five California regions.

McPherson manages recruiting, leadership development, compensation, benefits, employee relations, among other HR tasks. Although she had not planned to work in HR, McPherson says she sees "the 'people business' as very strategic in an organization that relies so heavily on human capitol to achieve our goal of high student achievement and college for all."

She is currently revamping the recruiting department to be more focused on screening for teacher quality, providing better customer service for principals and applicants and reducing the time it takes to hire quality teachers.

A school system with strong student achievement, Aspire opens schools as quickly as it can find facilities. "I love my job," McPherson said. "I directly affect the lives of thousands of students. I am supported and challenged and pushed to use every skill I learned at BU."

PNP Student Lonn Drucker A Finalist in Tech Strategy Case Competition

2008-04-04T09:00:00.007-07:00

Congratulations to Lonn Drucker, PNP MBA '09, who represented Boston University as one of 10 finalists in Ericsson's sponsored, Third Annual International Tech Strategy Case Competition on March 28 and 29 at BU. Students invited from leading MBA programs around the world participated in a 24-hour case competition to solve a market challenge focused on technology in business strategy and operations.

New PNP Elective; Professor Weil Returns from Sabbatical

2008-04-04T09:00:00.006-07:00

NEW! The PNP program welcomes the addition of "Clean Technology Business Models" a new elective for the Fall 2008 semester. This course will use a combination of cases, simulation and analytical exercises to review trends and their co-evolution within the clean technology/energy eco-system. It aims to build a skill set around risk and opportunity assessment, and allied implementation challenges. This course is being set up as an MBA elective that is aligned with the needs of Entrepreneurship, PNP and Strategy concentrations.

Professor David Weil, who has been on sabbatical, will return in the Spring 2009 to teach "Public Policy Analysis." This popular course explores the economics of the public sector and the impact government policy and programs have on society and business.