Connecting Communities: Hackley’s Networking Initiative
The Hackley Review sat with Margie McNaughton Ford ’85, Director of Alumni Engagement, to learn more about the Networking Initiative — a mentorship program that grew organically within the Alumni Office — and how the program engages alumni daily, as well as how families can get involved.
Last summer, a young alum of the class of 2020 contacted the Alumni Office to ask if the office would connect him with someone in finance. The alum was interested in launching a career in the finance industry, and he believed that the best place to start this journey was to contact Hackley for help. Soon thereafter, the alum scheduled his first meeting with an industry expert, himself an alum of the class of 1987. That initial meeting was a success, and the young alum made a lasting impression. So, when an internship position became available at the organization, the mentor offered the young alum an interview. All it took was a willingness to help and be helped, and a platform to make the connections that span generations of alumni. This is just one story from the many such connections forged between alumni through the Networking Initiative.
Q: How did the initiative come to be?
Margie: It was officially established approximately 23 years ago within the Alumni and Development Office (now called the Advancement Office) by Director of Development and Alumni Affairs John Gannon P ’21 and former Alumni Director Haleh Tavakol ’84, P ’17, ’17. At the time, alumni reached out to the office with such questions as, “I’m pursuing my graduate degree. Do you know anyone at the school to which I’m applying?” or “I’m considering a career in law. Can you help connect me with someone who may answer questions about that field?” The Alumni Office would tap into its vast alumni network to help schedule networking interviews between the alumni who sought information about specific fields and those who have considerable expertise in those industries. There was only one rule—you could not ask the person for a job or an internship, a rule that remains in place today. Over time and with increasing interest, it became clear that a formal alumni networking program was brewing. It has since grown and today continues to be a pillar of alumni engagement at Hackley.
Q: How did you become involved in the Networking Initiative?
Q: What drives the program?
Back
Q: In a nutshell, what is the Networking Initiative?
Margie: One of the great benefits of attending Hackley is that graduates become part of an accomplished and vibrant alumni community. The initiative is a networking program that aims to build connections between alumni, where they participate as either mentees or mentors. Through the program, we strive to be helpful to alumni throughout their post-Hackley lives.
Margie: One of the great benefits of attending Hackley is that graduates become part of an accomplished and vibrant alumni community. The initiative is a networking program that aims to build connections between alumni, where they participate as either mentees or mentors. Through the program, we strive to be helpful to alumni throughout their post-Hackley lives.
Q: How did the initiative come to be?
Margie: It was officially established approximately 23 years ago within the Alumni and Development Office (now called the Advancement Office) by Director of Development and Alumni Affairs John Gannon P ’21 and former Alumni Director Haleh Tavakol ’84, P ’17, ’17. At the time, alumni reached out to the office with such questions as, “I’m pursuing my graduate degree. Do you know anyone at the school to which I’m applying?” or “I’m considering a career in law. Can you help connect me with someone who may answer questions about that field?” The Alumni Office would tap into its vast alumni network to help schedule networking interviews between the alumni who sought information about specific fields and those who have considerable expertise in those industries. There was only one rule—you could not ask the person for a job or an internship, a rule that remains in place today. Over time and with increasing interest, it became clear that a formal alumni networking program was brewing. It has since grown and today continues to be a pillar of alumni engagement at Hackley.
Q: How did you become involved in the Networking Initiative?
Margie: When I returned to Hackley as an employee 10 years ago, I assisted John with connecting mentees and mentors. I learned so much from him in those early years—he has a passion for networking and a talent for connecting people. Now, I manage the program as the person charged with all things alumni engagement. I continue to be amazed by the commitment of our alumni to this program—they always say yes! Hackley alumni are always willing to lend a hand or share advice. John, Advancement Associate Nora Leddy, and I have the opportunity to meet with many young alumni who share their goals and interests with us. We then find other alumni or current parents who work in associated fields, and we make those introductions. They are always thrilled to have those conversations. It’s a part of the job that I really enjoy.
Q: What drives the program?
Margie: When it launched, the goal of the program was to provide alumni with a way to connect with one another and to grow their network, and for us to be as helpful as possible in that process of creating relationships. Today, at the core, this work is still about providing relevant information, helping our alumni find one another, and building relationships. We take ‘find a friend’ very seriously. We don’t promise that you will end up with an internship or a new job, but you will certainly have an impactful conversation with someone whose words may inspire you as you start on a new path. These connections have the potential to become lifelong mentorships.
Q: How has the Networking Initiative evolved over the years?
Q: How can someone get involved as a mentor?
Q: What’s your vision for the next 10 years of the Networking Initiative?
Q: Is there anything else that you would want readers to know about the networking initiative?
The Networking Initiative is strong at Hackley, and we do it well. But with your help, it can be even better! More mentors mean more opportunities for young alumni. Please participate if possible. And if you can’t mentor, join our networking events. Hackley Connect lists many opportunities to stay connected with one another—from such industry-focused gatherings as real estate, medicine, and cyber security, to affinity groups and speed networking events for college-age alumni.
Q: What is your advice to mentees?
Many of our mentors today were our mentees yesterday. The success of the program is in large part due to a pay-it-forward approach. There are people who get involved in the initiative because they want to become mentees, and they want to find someone who can provide guidance. Sometimes, those mentees are deeply impacted by their experience, so much so that when they have that opportunity, they pay it forward by becoming mentors within the program.
Q: How has the Networking Initiative evolved over the years?
Margie: It has certainly grown. Today, there’s an improved process to join the network. In 2016, we launched Hackley Connect, our networking platform located online at hackleyconnect.org. Alumni opt into Hackley Connect and indicate if they’d be willing to be contacted for help. When alumni are interested in learning more about career fields, we encourage them to browse the Hackley Connect directory, identify the people they’d like to connect with, and call or send them a message to set up a networking interview. If necessary, the Alumni Office can provide further assistance. Hackley Connect also includes event listings, job openings, and relevant articles—it’s a one-stop-shop.
Q: How can someone get involved as a mentor?
Margie: Beyond joining Hackley Connect and clicking on the box that indicates you are open to helping, alumni interested in becoming mentors can contact the Alumni Office directly (email alumni@hackleyschool.org). That’s it! And to increase access to our vast community, families may also join Hackley Connect and note that they’d like to help. Visit hackleyconnect.org and click on the relevant boxes—there are such options as ‘willing to help,’ ‘become a mentor,’ ‘resume and cover letter help,’ and more. Life is busy, but if you can, please share an hour of your time with someone who needs your help.
Q: What’s your vision for the next 10 years of the Networking Initiative?
Margie: We hope to grow the program to include Seniors. It would be a remarkable value for graduating students to be able to use the Hackley Connect platform to connect with alumni who are attending or have graduated from schools of interest. I hope for our students to be able to type in the name of the school they’re interested in and automatically see a list of alumni connected to those schools. It would be fun if Seniors and college-age mentors could connect on their campus for a day and explore together…the Senior would then already know where to find the best place to get pizza and where the library is when they become a first-year student. There’s a lot of potential for growing our Networking Initiative within Hackley Connect.
Q: Is there anything else that you would want readers to know about the networking initiative?
Margie: We receive a lot of calls from alumni asking for an internship—the Networking Initiative is not an internship program. This is a service of building relationships and starting conversations. Those conversations may open the doors to much more, but you join the network to ask questions, to explore your curiosity about a career field, and to get insights from experts.
The Networking Initiative is strong at Hackley, and we do it well. But with your help, it can be even better! More mentors mean more opportunities for young alumni. Please participate if possible. And if you can’t mentor, join our networking events. Hackley Connect lists many opportunities to stay connected with one another—from such industry-focused gatherings as real estate, medicine, and cyber security, to affinity groups and speed networking events for college-age alumni.
Q: What is your advice to mentees?
Margie: A thank you note goes a long way! And there are so many ways to send those now. Make your connections, and then stay connected.
This Q&A first appeared in the Hackley Review Summer 2023 edition. To see the full digital issue, click here.
This Q&A first appeared in the Hackley Review Summer 2023 edition. To see the full digital issue, click here.
Hackley School
© Hackley School | Privacy Policy & Terms of Use & Nondiscrimination Hackley School is a registered 501(3)c
