From the Director of Admissions: A Powerful Alumni Network

The news that alumnus Vivek Murthy ’03, MD ’03 had been confirmed as U.S. surgeon general got me thinking more about our alumni and their impact on the school. I am constantly amazed by the ways in which alumni such as Dr. Murthy embody the school’s mission of educating leaders for business and society. And I am equally amazed by the degree to which these accomplished and busy people are deeply engaged in the life of the school on an ongoing basis.

From the time that students arrive at Yale SOM, they are meeting and learning from alumni eager to help them achieve professional success. Alumni participate in a series of career panels during orientation, return to help students prepare for their internship interviews through Mock Madness, and make themselves available for informational interviews and networking throughout the job search process.

Just this past week, Bob Davis ’97 was on campus to coach students who are participating in the Venture Capital Investment Competition. He came at the request of Professor David Cromwell, whose class originally sparked his interest in private equity as a student. Until recently, Bob was head of Aetna’s private equity holdings, before he and three partners struck out on their own to form their own firm, Nebrodi Partners, which now manages Aetna’s and others’ investments privately. Bob is very busy and very successful, but he is always willing to come back to campus to speak, guide, and mentor students who are interested in private equity and venture capital.

Steve Kauderer ’89, a partner at Bain, was also recently on campus to take students interested in working at Bain out to dinner. Like Bob, Steve is on campus frequently to help advise students, and he is a staunch advocate for Yale SOM students at Bain.  He has been instrumental in strengthening Bain’s relationship with the school, and there are many other alumni like him at other firms playing similarly instrumental roles.

I hear constantly from alumni who are eager to help the school in any way they can. Just in the past week I have received emails from alumni across the United States and from countries such as Mexico, China, India, South Africa, and elsewhere. To me, their enthusiasm underscores the strength and value of the Yale SOM alumni network.