Alumni

Get Involved

Community Partners provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for HBS alumni. We connect alumni volunteers with local nonprofits seeking our help with business and management challenges.

Join a project team, work together with fellow alums, and contribute your skills and experience to make an impact in our community.

Brainstorming Sessions
2 Hours, One Event

A two-hour, high energy meeting of four or more alumni, including an experienced moderator, addressing a clearly defined challenge or opportunity along with leaders from the organization.

Traditional Consulting Projects
2-3 Hours Per Week, 3-4 Months

A comprehensive team project lasting several months, addressing business-related issues such as strategic planning, organizational development, finance and marketing.

Client Working Sessions
3-4 Sessions, 2 Hours

A series of meetings over a 2-3 month period with the client board or task force to get alignment or direction on a specific issue. Meetings structured and led by the CP team, with work between the sessions by the task force and CP team.

Mini-Projects
1 Session, 2 Hours

Generally reserved for past clients or smaller nonprofits. Address a specific question – CP team researches and advises on the client’s question in a one-time meeting.

See Volunteer Opportunities Get Involved

Why Volunteer With Us?

Give back to the community by supporting causes that match your passion.
Experience unique opportunities to apply your HBS skills to new challenges. Think ‘case-study’.
Take advantage of the flexible time commitments that enable busy people to participate.
Build meaningful connections with alumni peers and nonprofit leaders through collaborative working sessions.
Get started – our structured approach makes it easy for you to jump right in.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our project teams are currently seeking volunteers for projects listed here.

All Harvard Business School alumni are encouraged to apply. No specialized industry or functional experience is required.
Below are 2025 projects about to begin, happening now, or recently completed – typical of our projects. If you would like to learn more about any of these projects, please use our CONTACT US form.

Clothes To Kids Fairfield

Brainstorm how to build sustainability

BRAINSTORMING SESSION STRATEGY SOCIAL SERVICES

February 11 (Tentative)

Brainstorm how to build sustainability and broaden the reach of this small nonprofit that provides free “wardrobes” (free clothing sets) to needy school-age children in Stamford and surrounding towns.

CT Women’s Hall of Fame (New Haven)

Brainstorm revenue-generating ideas

BRAINSTORMING SESSION STRATEGY SOCIAL SERVICESal Services

Late March or Early April

Brainstorm revenue-generating ideas for CT group that honors women and runs inspirational programs in schools.

Darien Community Association (DCA) Thrift shop

Strategy to Build Revenue

PROJECT STRATEGY SOCIAL SERVICES

February start

Identify ways to build revenue for this volunteer-run source of funds for the community Association

DSABC (Danbury Student And Business Connecticut)

Strategy to Build Revenue

PROJECT STRATEGY SOCIAL SERVICES

February start

Identify ways to build revenue for this volunteer-run source of funds for the community Association

Eagle Hill School (Greenwich)

Help Manage Strategy Implementation

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION EDUCATION

February Start

Help this highly-respected school for children who learn differently expand to coordinate the funding and timing of the implementation efforts identified in their strategic plan.

Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement (Newtown)

Improve Impact

PROJECT STRATEGY EDUCATION

February Start

Inspired by a victim of the Sandy Hook shooting, Choose Love has provided character development curricula to over 20,000 schools in the US and abroad. Our task: to assess and identify ways to improve impact.

Empowered Network (New London)

Help Victims Find Employment

PROJECT STRATEGY SOCIAL SERVICES

February Start

Empowered Network helps victims of sex trafficking achieve normal lives by finding meaningful employment. Our role: help 10x the number served by researching business perspectives!

What Our Alumni Volunteers Say

"I am constantly impressed by, and love working with, our talented alumni. The experience provides a great way to improve my business skill set and learn more about organizations and the important services they provide to our community." - Carrie Hammond ‘92

"The client’s Board welcomed the research and ideas we brought to the sessions. Our team felt the recommendations we presented, if implemented, could not only aid fundraising during the pandemic, but could well grow and expand fundraising efforts in the future." - Harvey Heyman ’77

"CP is an extraordinary opportunity to share what we, as HBS alumni, have learned and experienced along our own journeys. The energy and commitment we see in our clients to the task at hand is incredible." - Scott Weiner ‘17

"Both teams were knowledgeable and welcoming. Most notable to me was each team member’s commitment to listen and develop meaningful solutions." - Mary Jane Wood ‘91

"Most impressive to me was the genuine desire of the team members to make a difference and to find the right solutions. I very much enjoyed the interaction and camaraderie." - John Crawford ‘68

"The last benefit is personal – met a bunch of grads that are fun to be with and dedicated to helping the community." - Jim Locker ‘72

"CP has exceeded my expectations both in terms of camaraderie with fellow alumni, and effectiveness in teaming up with, and driving change for, our clients." - Vivek Ravishanker ‘12

"I enjoyed working on the project so much and developed such a rapport with the organization that they invited me to join the Board of Directors immediately following the project." - Monica Tai ‘10

"CP’s Operations Match program helped me identify organizations that would be a good fit with my background and geographical focus . . . I joined the board of Fellowship Place whose mission is to serve adults living with mental illness by offering a full range of therapeutic support and rehabilitation services." - Alexandra Daum ‘14

"Ultimately, for those alumni who feel the urgency to make the difference, I suggest you look no further than Community Partners itself." - Antonio Mazzara '03

"What I found most amazing across the two projects is the connection between HBS grads. Although we have varied backgrounds and experiences, there is an instant respect and comradery. There is no agenda, just bright people working together with passion." - Jaime Smith ‘97

"I volunteered for CP at the suggestion of an HBS classmate. As my third child left home this fall, I felt I had capacity to take on a new endeavor and to contribute my skills and experience to a socially productive enterprise." - Lindsay Paul ‘85

"I encourage other HBS alumni to take part in CP. For me, this experience provided me with the opportunity to engage with my local community and participate in a meaningful way." - Kurt Vogt ‘87

"It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you put together a group of HBS grads and give them a problem to solve. As a team, I believe we were able to make a significant impact on this organization to help them succeed." - Doreen Collins ‘85

"We worked with CP leaders that had a wealth of consulting and nonprofit experience. Our end conclusions have been implemented into real programs at NCC that yielded positive results, a gratifying outcome for the project." - John Dexheimer ’80 & Carla Haugen ‘80

"I encourage other HBS alumni to become involved with Community Partners. The projects that you will be involved with are significant ones. You can make a difference in your communities and can provide yourself with a satisfying and rewarding experience." - Erv Shames ‘66

"I found the projects to be highly rewarding. The clients were all extremely passionate about their mission, generous with their time, and very appreciative of our recommendations. In all cases, I truly felt we had a real impact on the organization, which will ultimately benefit hundreds of children and adults. " - Walter “Buzz” Thorman ‘83

I’ve come to believe that it isn’t vital to have related experience to engage with HBS CP and contribute to a project. I plan to widen my horizons and try my hand at another team. If you can spare a couple of hours per week for a few months, I’d encourage you to join in. Maybe you can be the next rookie!” Scott Singer ‘81

In addition to the rewarding work, an unexpected benefit was reconnecting with wonderful people from the past – one of my section mates from HBS, and a professional colleague from the 1980s! CP provides opportunities to work with great people on significant projects that have a major impact on the local community.” Charley Beever ‘78

“I am enjoying my participation in the HBS Club of CT Community Partners (CP) program. My career included stints in Sales as well as Marketing and Communications. As I wind down that aspect of my life and move into the next chapter, Community Partners is a great fit. It offers an opportunity to use my skills and experience to contribute to the greater good. Meg Aldrich ‘82

Get Involved

Brainstorming Sessions2 Hours, One Event

Traditional Consulting Projects2-3 Hours Per Week, 3-4 Months

Client Working Sessions3-4 Sessions, 2 Hours

Mini-Projects1 Session, 2 Hours

Why Volunteer With Us?

Volunteer Opportunities

Our project teams are currently seeking volunteers for projects listed here.

Clothes To Kids Fairfield

CT Women’s Hall of Fame (New Haven)

Darien Community Association (DCA) Thrift shop

DSABC (Danbury Student And Business Connecticut)

Eagle Hill School (Greenwich)

Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement (Newtown)

Empowered Network (New London)

What Our Alumni Volunteers Say

"I am constantly impressed by, and love working with, our talented alumni. The experience provides a great way to improve my business skill set and learn more about organizations and the important services they provide to our community." - Carrie Hammond ‘92

"The client’s Board welcomed the research and ideas we brought to the sessions. Our team felt the recommendations we presented, if implemented, could not only aid fundraising during the pandemic, but could well grow and expand fundraising efforts in the future." - Harvey Heyman ’77

"CP is an extraordinary opportunity to share what we, as HBS alumni, have learned and experienced along our own journeys. The energy and commitment we see in our clients to the task at hand is incredible." - Scott Weiner ‘17

"Both teams were knowledgeable and welcoming. Most notable to me was each team member’s commitment to listen and develop meaningful solutions." - Mary Jane Wood ‘91

"Most impressive to me was the genuine desire of the team members to make a difference and to find the right solutions. I very much enjoyed the interaction and camaraderie." - John Crawford ‘68

"The last benefit is personal – met a bunch of grads that are fun to be with and dedicated to helping the community." - Jim Locker ‘72

"CP has exceeded my expectations both in terms of camaraderie with fellow alumni, and effectiveness in teaming up with, and driving change for, our clients." - Vivek Ravishanker ‘12

"I enjoyed working on the project so much and developed such a rapport with the organization that they invited me to join the Board of Directors immediately following the project." - Monica Tai ‘10

"Ultimately, for those alumni who feel the urgency to make the difference, I suggest you look no further than Community Partners itself." - Antonio Mazzara '03

"What I found most amazing across the two projects is the connection between HBS grads. Although we have varied backgrounds and experiences, there is an instant respect and comradery. There is no agenda, just bright people working together with passion." - Jaime Smith ‘97

"I volunteered for CP at the suggestion of an HBS classmate. As my third child left home this fall, I felt I had capacity to take on a new endeavor and to contribute my skills and experience to a socially productive enterprise." - Lindsay Paul ‘85

"I encourage other HBS alumni to take part in CP. For me, this experience provided me with the opportunity to engage with my local community and participate in a meaningful way." - Kurt Vogt ‘87

"It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you put together a group of HBS grads and give them a problem to solve. As a team, I believe we were able to make a significant impact on this organization to help them succeed." - Doreen Collins ‘85

"We worked with CP leaders that had a wealth of consulting and nonprofit experience. Our end conclusions have been implemented into real programs at NCC that yielded positive results, a gratifying outcome for the project." - John Dexheimer ’80 & Carla Haugen ‘80

"I encourage other HBS alumni to become involved with Community Partners. The projects that you will be involved with are significant ones. You can make a difference in your communities and can provide yourself with a satisfying and rewarding experience." - Erv Shames ‘66

OUR IMPACT

5000+

Hours

25

Clients

16

Projects

50+

volunteers

Brainstorming Sessions
2 Hours, One Event

Traditional Consulting Projects
2-3 Hours Per Week, 3-4 Months

Client Working Sessions
3-4 Sessions, 2 Hours

Mini-Projects
1 Session, 2 Hours