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GSM Making a Net Impact: Named “Chapter of the Year”

The annual Net Impact Conference serves as an inspirational meeting place for socially minded MBA students and professionals from around the globe. The 2006 conference, hosted at the Kellogg School of Management October 27-29, was particularly eventful since the UC Davis Graduate School of Management was honored as Small School Chapter of the Year.

“This award points to the outstanding caliber and dedication of GSM students,” remarked Cleveland Justis (’04). Justis serves on the board of Net Impact, a rapidly growing international network of 12,000 current and future leaders dedicated to improving the world through business. The GSM, winner of the small school category, was one of five chapters honored at the Saturday evening reception. Other business schools lauded before a standing room audience at the windy city’s Union Station were Michigan, Yale, and Pepperdine.

A dozen daytime program students traveled to Chicago, making the GSM one of a handful of schools with more than ten percent of its student body in attendance. We participated in “breakout” sessions on a wide variety of topics, shared pointers with fellow chapter leaders, and networked with students and professionals. Keynote speaker María Otero, CEO of ACCION International, conveyed the power of microfinance, while Herman Miller CAO Andy Lock inspired us with his company’s commitment to zero waste by 2020. “I’m excited to translate ideas from the conference into actions at the GSM,” said conference attendee Jessica Carter (’08).

In the last year, the GSM Net Impact Chapter has built on past success, while adding new programs, none of which would have been possible without a committed and capable membership and leadership team. Highlights include:

  • Orientation Weekend: hosting a weekend excursion to Yosemite National Park and the social enterprise Evergreen Lodge.
  • Board Fellows Program: piloting a program to match students with local nonprofit boards for a year, fostering an ethic of community service.
  • Green Bag Lunch Series: organizing lunches bringing knowledgeable and influential speakers in front of MBA students.
  • Site Visits: visiting socially responsible, innovative companies including Hewlett Packard’s electronic recycling facility, Pride Industries, and Clif Bar.

The GSM Net Impact Chapter is actively building the next generation of organizational leaders who embrace social and environmental responsibility.

By Geoff Jennings (’07) and Thomas Nelson (’07)