Alumni Came Home to Haas for Spring 2009 Weekend

Nearly 500 alumni and students gathered at Haas for the All-Alumni Reunion weekend.  The high turnout indicates the important role the school plays in keeping alumni connected and informed, while also providing access to ongoing career resources.

The event commenced with many alumni participating in career development activities, including individual advising sessions and a group career workshop.  During the all-day conference on Saturday top faculty and prominent business leaders explored the timely topic of Leading in Uncertain Times.  And social events, including reunion class dinners and celebration at the Claremont Resort and Spa Saturday and a family picnic in Tilden Park on Sunday, gave alumni plenty of time to reconnect.

During his opening remarks at the conference Dean Lyons emphasized that our ability to achieve greatness depends on how connected we remain to Haas and to each other.  He also stressed that, despite state budget cuts, there will be no reduction in the school’s level of services to students and alumni, due in large part to Haas Annual Fund contributions.

Haas experts, such as Jennifer Chatman, Paul Tiffany, Henry Chesbrough, Rashi Glazer, Laura Kray, Gregory La Blanc, Lisa Feldman, and Nora Silver, addressed the timeliest topics, arming alumni with a surfeit of fresh ideas to take back to the office.  Professor James Wilcox gave an overview of the economic landscape and moderated a panel of leading Haas MBA alumni and professionals who shared their perspectives on the economic crisis, including: Mark Breitbard, MBA 97, chief merchandising and creative officer for Old Navy; Keval Desai, MBA 99, director of product management for Google; Stephen Etter, BS 83, MBA 89, partner with Greyrock Capital Group; Joan Spiegel, MBA 84, former director for Equity Risk Partners; and Thomas Sullivan, MBA 89, co-founder of Wilson Meany Sullivan.

The keynote address was given by Biz Stone, co-founder of the social networking tool Twitter and a Berkeley resident.  Stone made the point that communications are increasingly moving into a public forum and connecting people in real time.  For the large group assembled in Andersen Auditorium, Stone’s emphasis on the importance of staying connected was fitting.  Many alumni and students are already using Twitter and other social networking tools available through the Haas website for that very purpose.  Follow the Haas Alumni Network on Twitter: @haasalumni.  Twitter about the conference and Reunion using the official tag: #Haas-Reunion. 

BIZ STONE'S PRESENTATION CAN BE VIEWED HERE.