Introducing Maryane Mwaniki, the new Head of Alumni Relations

We are delighted to welcome Maryane Mwaniki as the new Head of Alumni Relations at the Business School. Learn more about Maryane's vision for alumni relations, her passion for connecting people and her drive to always bring out the best in people.  

Tell us a bit more about yourself and your career background

As Head of Alumni Relations I am responsible for the leadership and development of the Business School’s global alumni relations strategy. This means I have the privilege of leading a dedicated team committed to building lifelong connections for our remarkable alumni community. Prior to this I was at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for 11 years working across alumni relations, careers and international degree programmes.

People are at the centre of places, culture and community, so the highlight of my work is connecting with a diverse community of brilliant minds and innovative thinkers.

Highlights of my time at LSE includes being Head of Employer Engagement supporting student and alumni career success by connecting them with leading organisations across the world. I also had the pleasure of supporting a network of high-achieving global business leaders in my role as TRIUM Global Executive MBA for three business schools (LSE, HEC and NYU Stern). I have also been a member of several committees and advisory boards working closely with senior leaders across Higher Education and business to support diversity and inclusion in research, education and people management.

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

People are at the centre of places, culture and community, so the highlight of my work is connecting with a diverse community of brilliant minds and innovative thinkers. As Head of Alumni Relations I am looking forward to meeting our alumni in the UK and internationally. I am keen to gain insights and feedback from alumni on how we can successfully build a lifelong community committed to partnering with us as volunteers, advocates and donors so together we can shape business and society.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

With a background in Organisational Behaviour I am passionate about people in the workplace and how innovation is sparked through diversity of thought, experience and culture. I have therefore enjoyed working with several leading universities across the world and being at the centre of innovation and change. All my roles have involved cultivating and facilitating deep and authentic relationships with alumni, students, employers and staff which has been fun and enriching.

What do you hope to bring to the alumni community at the Business School?

Our alumni community of over 21,000 alumni is full of rich expertise and diversity, it is important we showcase and celebrate that. I am therefore keen to ensure we deliver a strategy that:

• promotes global connections across our community
• champions lifelong learning and professional development
• enhances students and alumni connections
• fosters a culture of philanthropy
• and inspires pride in Imperial College Business School

I am keen to gain insights and feedback from alumni on how we can successfully build a lifelong community committed to partnering with us as volunteers, advocates and donors so together we can shape business and society.

Finally tell us something a bit different about yourself!

As you can probably tell by now I have a passion for connecting with people. That passion extends into my work as a Counsellor and Coach. I am excited to be a member of the counselling profession helping to transform the lives of individuals, families and communities. Counselling people truly makes my heart smile as it means I enter a privileged space where I get to see people at their most vulnerable - no filters, just true self. As a coach I have enjoyed over 10 years of coaching couples and individuals to build healthy relationships with themselves and others. People’s ears perks up when I mention my work with couples and supporting relationships, it tends to be a fun conversation starter, "So, Maryane, what's the secret to a long and healthy marriage?"