The Stern Opportunity

For the past three years, SWIB has treated its alumnae to champagne, chocolate, and discounted shopping at the Pre-Conference Alumnae event at Saks Fifth Avenue.  The event has quickly become a key part of the SWIB Conference festivities, and this year alums from the classes of 1977 to 2009 sipped on champagne and nibbled on chocolate presented by Charbonnel et Walker while greeting old friends and reminiscing about their time at Stern.  The event, held from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, gave the women exclusive access to personal shoppers and the opportunity to have the entire store to themselves from 8 pm on.  Many women took advantage of the generous 15% discount for the evening and walked away with some great finds!

Aside from the shopping and snacks, current SWIB members enjoyed the opportunity to informally network with SWIB alumnae.  “The SWIB event at Saks was a great opportunity to chat with other current MBAs and alumnae who we don't get to see as often. As a second year, I particularly enjoyed seeing recent alumnae who had helped me and given me advice during my first year, and even before I came to Stern. I thought it was an exciting and lively event in a great venue. It's always nice to hear what everyone is up to!” said MBA2 Janet Rutledge.

The event also signifies the growing emphasis the SWIB board is putting on networking between current students and alumnae.  Last year, SWIB launched an alumnae mentor program with current students and alumnae.  Interested SWIB members are paired with alumnae who have volunteered their time to meet and guide current students through their MBA careers and beyond.  The program has received extremely positive feedback from both students and alumnae alike, and promises to remain an important part of the SWIB experience.  The Saks event offers another forum for SWIB members and alumnae to mingle and broaden their networks.

Former SWIB Co-President Whiney Talbot (MBA ’09) was able to  attend the event and enjoy the evening.  “The alumnae event at Saks was once again a huge success, but returning this year as a new alum gave me an even greater appreciation for the friendships and opportunities SWIB has provided me.  It is extremely easy to get caught up with work, especially in your first year out.  I have to say, since I started [working,] I have not had much time to unwind, laugh, meet old and new friends, and share stories and experiences, but the SWIB Saks event gave me that and more.  I thought I was going for shoes and chocolate but instead I found smiles and laughter, and I left with gratitude that I am a part of such an amazing group of motivated women.”

While the event is relatively young when compared to other SWIB-hosted events such as the annual conference, which has been occurring for the past 18 years, it has quickly become one of the most anticipated by the SWIB alumnae community.  "We are so glad we were able to do this event for the third year in a row.  Our alumnae really look forward to it!  I was even getting emails in October from alumnae who wanted to know when it would be so they could save the date in their calendars,” said the MBA2 Vice President of Alumnae Relations Lauren Sigman.  Her hard work with MBA1 counterpart Samantha Levin, both on this event as well as on the alumnae mentoring program, has allowed SWIB alumnae to remain connected to each other and SWIB.  Moreover, they have given all SWIB women the opportunity to grow their SWIB network.

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