Our new Alumni Advisory Council members gathered for their first meeting earlier this month, joining eight other current council members. As they officially begin their three-year tenure, we took the opportunity to find out more about what they hope to bring to the Council and the Business School community – and what they think is the best thing about being an Imperial alum!

From top left: Fejiro Amam (MSc Management 2022), Lola Aworanti-Ekugo (Weekend MBA 2018), Ansumana Bai-Marrow (Global Online MBA 2023), Rahul Bansal (Full-Time MBA 2009), Felicity Box (Full-Time MBA 2023), Tina Chen (Full-Time MBA 2018), Divyank Gupta (MSc Management 2019), Damla Khan (Weekend MBA 2023), Albert Li (MSc Management Science 1989), Foudil Mattoo (PhD 2009), Sofia Skevofylaka (MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management 2020), Jonathan Tai (MSc International Health Management 2024) and Kirk Zieser (MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance 2023), have all been selected to join the Council this July, each for a three-year term.

Embracing a global community

All thirteen of our new Council members have expressed their commitment to strengthening alumni connections around the world, with many highlighting the sense of community as one of the most valuable aspects of being an Imperial alum.

The best thing about being an Imperial alum is the lifelong access to a global network of innovative, driven, and intellectually curious professionals.
Albert Li, MSc Management Science 1989

London based Global Online MBA 2023 alum, Ansumana Bai-Marrow, told us that there is “genuine excitement amongst the alumni to remain connected with each other, and with the Business School and university.” These connections aren’t just limited to the UK. Our new Council members are based across four continents, and we will be working closely with them to ensure that alumni can get involved with their local alumni community, wherever they are based in world.

Damla Khan, Weekend MBA 2023, added, “Being based in Singapore, I’m especially passionate about strengthening regional ties and creating opportunities for connection, mentorship, and professional growth.” As a board member of the Hellenic Imperial Alumni Association, Sofia Skevofylaka, MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management 2020, has seen first-hand the benefits of regional connections, commenting that “wherever you go in the world, there’s an Imperial connection nearby ready to support and inspire you.” And with nearly 80 regional, alumni-led groups around the world, there are plenty of opportunities for alumni expand their networks.

Tina Chen, Full-Time MBA 2018, summed up our global community perfectly:
The global network of proud Imperial alumni and current students makes me feel at home even when I'm abroad.

Cultivating a network of support

It’s no surprise that our new Council members are eager to give back to the community and support fellow alumni and the wider Business School network.

It’s so encouraging that, the overwhelming majority of the time, people jump at the chance to be helpful to a fellow Imperial alum.
Ansumana Bai-Marrow, Global Online MBA 2023

Divyank Gupta, MSc Management 2019, is particularly keen during his tenure to champion alumni engagement, mentorship, and talent development within the Imperial community. As a current Mentor to three Imperial students, Jonathan Tai, MSc International Health Management 2024 is equally enthusiastic about supporting the next generation. Speaking about his mentees, Jonathan told us that “the joy I felt as they celebrated their achievements was as if they were my wins.”

Some of our alumni have been on the receiving end of mentorship and advice from other alumni and told us how much that support meant to them. Fejiro Amam, MSc Management 2022, said, ‘‘On multiple occasions, I’ve found great value in reaching out to fellow Business School alumni who have enthusiastically offered their support. I’m grateful to count many of them as friends and mentors who have contributed significantly to both my personal and professional journeys”.

Council members who graduated more recently are particularly well-placed to support our newsest alumni. Felicity Box, Full-Time MBA 2023 told us, “Being a recent graduate, I remember very clearly what it is like to be a student at the Business School, and the challenges of joining or re-joining the workforce soon after. I aim to enter conversations with this transition in mind, finding ways to make it easier for students.” Fellow 2023 graduated Kirk Zieser, MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance added, “I’m proud to give voice to the thousands of alumni worldwide and particularly to represent young alumni, who play a key role in advocating for the Business School and often rely on the alumni network to develop their careers.”

Providing professional and strategic insights

All of our new Council members bring a wealth of professional and strategic insights, across a variety of industries and international markets.

I see this as an opportunity to support the alumni community with meaningful connections and ensure that Imperial’s influence continues to grow across industries and borders.
Foudil Mattoo, PhD 2009

Foudil, who has worked at energy trading companies in Europe and the Middle East, hopes to bring a global outlook and his professional network to the Council. Rahul Bansal, Full-Time MBA 2009, similarly brings a global perspective shaped by over two decades of experience across innovation, entrepreneurship, and the UN system. His focus will be on fostering collaboration across emerging markets, philanthropy, and purpose-led enterprises. Rahul added that he is particularly excited to “work with the wider alumni community to contribute towards Imperial’s leadership in sustainability that addresses the most pressing challenges of our time.”

Meanwhile, Lola Aworanti-Ekugo, Weekend MBA 2018, brings 20 years’ experience in fintech, financial services, and trade. She wants to support the long-term success of Imperial Business School by leveraging her global experience, professional insights and network, adding that she aims “to help foster a vibrant, value-driven alumni community that drives professional growth and enhances collaboration”.

Looking ahead

With such a diverse and passionate group of individuals, the Alumni Advisory Council is well positioned to strengthen Imperial’s global alumni network, foster meaningful connections, and support the next generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

They join current members, Joanne Linder (Full-Time MBA 1996), Elynor Chiu (Full-Time MBA 2011), Salwa Darraj (MSc Economics & Strategy for Business 2014), Andrew Fernando (MSc Finance 2007), Yann Helle (Weekend Executive MBA 2010), Adrian Matze (MSc Risk Management and Financial Engineering 2014), Roya Rahnejat (MSc Risk Management 2007) and Melanie York (Full-Time MBA) 1993).

We’re excited to see the impact they’ll make together, and how the wider alumni community can get involved in shaping the future of the Business School.