This presentation will provide recommendations and practical strategies to transform an operational alumni engagement program to a value driven business function.

Alumni are unique to their institution and carry shared experiences back with them into their families, professional and social networks, industry, community, and further into the world. Relationship building is the overriding factor in nurturing and engaging alumni who have the power of creating and continuing the identify of their alma-mater.

For institutions, developing capacity by investing in resources, systems, processes, and human capital is the foundation to cultivate, design and manage a robust alumni relations function that is adaptable and maintains progressive continuum. In real life scenarios, industry practitioners are often challenged by lack of resources and amplified institutional expectations. As an interface function, it is vital for alumni professionals to become a 'voice' both for the institution and its graduates – to become empowered it is vital to ‘know your alumni’ and understand the impact of alumni engagement on corporate objectives.

Alumni engagement programs requires a systematic approach that recognises, integrates and aligns diverse alumni interests with institutional goals. Alumni volunteerism has often been overlooked in favour of ad hoc and immediate gains from engagement efforts. The domain of volunteerism deserves due attention as a vital strategic resource with validated competitive advantages. Designing multifarious volunteering opportunities enable dynamic capabilities, elevate student experience, encourage cross-functional collaborations and strengthen the community network. Further, transitioning from a student to an alumnus, it perpetuates a sense of belonging, pride and brand recall even after several years of graduation. At its core is data quality, best practice, innovation, technology and strategic communication to inspire, involve and develop a pipeline of volunteerism. Embedding a purpose driven momentum unlocks the potential and an exponential shift in alumni resourcefulness, support and advocacy for the institution.