Alumni Connections bring alumni and students together for conversation that’s authentic and personal.

Students who make it on the list for these in-depth talks (RSVPs fill up fast!) get the chance to ask questions directly and walk away with invaluable information. Past alumni participants have included Pinterest’s Head of Community Operations Jud Hoffman (pictured), New York Times-published international photographer Kirsten Kortebein, and Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller.

What sets these sessions apart is their size and format: an intimate audience (often limited to 20 students or less) in an informal setting (dress code is come as you are). No resume exchanges or fussy suits—these sessions invite students to explore and understand, rather than compete.

Browse opportunities or RSVP to join the conversation in the LSA Opportunity Network. (And keep an eye on your inboxes, where Alumni Connections are often announced!)

October Alumni Connections

WSJ Bureau Chief Stefanie Ilgenfritz
Oct. 12: 1 p.m. | 2001 | RSVP
WSJ’s health and science bureau chief and a Pulitzer Prize-winner, Stefanie will discuss the many paths to journalism and its evolving forms, from podcasts to nonprofit investigative projects.

Evercore Managing Director Courtney McBean
Oct. 12: 2 p.m. | 2130 | RSVP
Technology investment banker Courtney McBean, a managing director at Evercore, has consulted on transactions for clients including Google and Tesla She’ll talk about the non-traditional path she took to her current leadership role in the industry.

Cyber and Physical Security Expert Matt Bogaard
Oct. 12: 3 p.m. | 2001 | RSVP
Matt is founder and CEO of the global security consulting firm Bogaard Group International, where he helps clients around the world manage disasters, plan for crisis, and implement stronger security strategies. He’ll be directing a crisis management exercise with students during this uniquely interactive session.

Detroit Police Strategic Projects Manager Neil Tambe
Oct. 12: 4 p.m. | 2130 | RSVP
Neil is a devoted Detroiter and the strategic projects manager for the Detroit Police Department. Before working for the city, he was a consultant for Deloitte, where he focused on the intersection of business strategy and technology. He’ll discuss how his liberal arts degree helped pave the path from consulting to public service. 

November Alumni Connections

NBC Sports Senior V.P. Dan Steir and Ross Mobile Productions President Mitch Rubenstein
November 2: 3–4 p.m. | LSA 2228 | RSVP
Join a small group conversation with alumni Dan Steir and Mitch Rubenstein, who’ll talk with students about their LSA experience and their paths into sports media.  

Microsoft Corporate V.P. Gavriella Schuster
November 2: 3–4 p.m. | LSA 2119 | RSVP
Schuster serves as corporate vice president for Microsoft’s One Commercial Partner (OCP) organization, where she oversees the organization’s ability to be a “great company to do business with.” She’ll join the session virtually via video conference.”

Digital Marketing Exec Harrison Liss
November 2: Noon to 1 p.m. | LSA 2130 | RSVP
Join a chat with alum Harrison Liss about digital advertising and marketing. Liss is the director of business development for Denver-based digital marketing agency Elevated Third. Prior to Elevated Third, Liss worked at a brand licensing agency based in New York where he led initiatives with such clients as FX Networks, MGM, Pabst Brewing Company, and Zynga.

ESPN Producer Jon Fish
November 2: 2–3 p.m. | LSA 2130 | RSVP
Jon Fish will share the impact his LSA degree has had on his career in sports media and what it’s like to work at one of the country’s leading sports broadcasters

IncellDX Founder and M.D. Dr. Bruce Patterson
November 16: Noon to 1 p.m. | LSA 2130 | RSVP
Physician and entrepreneur Bruce Patterson will discuss the ways science, medicine, and business intersect. He'll share his journey from an undergrad in LSA to Northwestern School of Medicine, on to engaging in HIV research, and up to today as a successful entrepreneur in the med tech space. Students will learn about the variety of career trajectories available to students interested in science and medicine.

Co-Founder of AmTrav Corporate Travel Craig Fichtelberg
November 16: 2–3 p.m. | LSA 2130 | RSVP
Craig Fichtelberg, an expert in operational strategy and management, co-founded 1-800-CheapAir and built out a network ofnationwide call centers. In the early 2000’s, Craig successfully led the offline business transition to CheapAir.com. Most recently, Craiglaunched AmTrav with the goal of simplifying business travel. He’ll discuss disrupting the status quo with products and services.