Columbia Alumni Leaders Experience 2025 Schedule

Friday, September 26

9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Clubs & SIGs Programming

The Interchurch Center | Sockman Lounge, First Floor

4–5:30 p.m.: Tackling the Challenges of Leading Boards and Committees

The Lee C. Bollinger Forum | Auditorium, Second Floor

Introducer & Moderator: Ken Catandella
Speakers: Basil Smikle ’96SIPA, ’18TC, ’19TC; Beth Fisher-Yoshida ’83TC

Join a panel of experts in management, conflict resolution, and strategic communications as they identify potential pitfalls and offer practical ways to build stronger, more cohesive groups and communities.

6–7:15 p.m.: Opening Keynote: Building a Winning Team Culture

The Lee C. Bollinger Forum | Auditorium, Second Floor

Introduction & Moderator: Zoe Ramushu ’20JRN
Speakers: Chris Washburne ’92GSAS, ’94GSAS,’99GSAS; Megan Griffith ’07CC, Harry West

Winning teams are rooted in cultures based on mutual respect, integrity, and a strong sense of community. Hear from Columbians who have been involved at the highest levels of sports, business, and the arts about what it takes to build a winning culture and how it applies to all types of organizations.

7:15–9 p.m.: Opening Reception

The Lee C. Bollinger Forum | West Atrium, First Floor

Speakers: Donna MacPhee ’89CC, P: ’17CC; Carlos Cuevas ’05CC, ’12SIPA, ’12PH; Lanny Breuer ’80CC, ’84SIPA, ’85LAW

Enjoy light refreshments, connect with peers from across the University, and cultivate relationships that will shape an inspiring and impactful weekend ahead.

Saturday, September 27

8 a.m.: Breakfast and Registration Opens

Roone Arledge North Lobby, First Floor

9–10:15 a.m.: Breakfast Keynote: Columbians Leading Important Artificial Intelligence Initiatives

Alfred Lerner Hall | Roone Arledge Auditorium, First Floor

Introduction: Rumaasha Maasha ’94SEAS
Moderator: Bianca Consunji ’12JRN
Speakers: Sheena Iyengar; Despina Kontos; Thomas Reardon ’08GS, ’13GSAS, ’16GSAS, 

10:30–11:30 a.m.: Session 1 Block

Alfred Lerner Hall

Columbia Impact Stories

Roone Arledge Cinema, Alfred Lerner Hall, Second Floor

Some of the most important innovations, groundbreaking research, and world-class scholarship can be found at Columbia and in the work of our faculty and researchers. Hear from leading experts about how our University community is working towards a better tomorrow.

Introduction: Laurie Magid ’85LAW
Moderator: Jeffery DelViscio ’06GSAS, ’06JRN
Speakers: Alexis Abramson; Daniel Belsky; Olajide Williams ’04PH

NextGen Lions: Engaging Recent Alumni from Day One

Lerner Room 555, Fifth Floor

The way we build community is rapidly changing. Graduates from the last decade are navigating a world where digital connections often outpace in-person ones, yet the hunger for meaningful belonging remains stronger than ever. How do recent alumni bridge this gap? What tools and strategies are they using to foster engagement in an age of algorithms, remote work, and global networks? This panel brings together Columbia’s newest generation of leaders—innovators who are reimagining alumni networks, professional communities, and social impact initiatives.

Introduction: Jennifer Fudge Ryan ’89CC, P: ’21CC
Moderator: Mallory Stellato ’20PH
Speakers: Emily Taylor ’25SPS; Josh Schenk ’19CC, Natalia Dorogi ’21SEAS, ’22SEAS

Columbians Lead the Way (Celebrating Individual Accomplishments and Building Collective Pride)

Jed D. Satow Room, Fifth Floor 

Hear stories of pride and resilience from Columbians who achieved transformational change in their respective fields, drawing on the knowledge, skills, and courage gained through their time at the University.

Introduction: Grace Mammen ’20SIPA
Moderator: Alexis B. Clark ’02JRN
Speakers: Gerrard P. Bushell ’83CC, ’04GSAS; Amal Moussa ’07GSAS, ’10GSAS, ’11GSAS; Jonathan Susman ’87CC

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.: Session 2 Block

Alfred Lerner Hall

Creating Your Narrative

Cinema, Second Floor

Whether it is in your professional life, advocating for something for which you are passionate, or as an ambassador for Columbia, learn practical strategies for developing your personal narrative.

Introduction: Grace Wu-Pi ’00SEAS
Moderator: Kiran Alvi ’12JRN
Speakers: Maryam Banikarim ’89BC, ’93BUS; Peter Kang ’05CC; Joe Turner Lin ’96CC, ’04SOA

Bridging Communities: Fostering Connection Across Columbia’s Schools Through an Intersectional and Restorative Lens 

Lerner Room 555, Fifth Floor

Columbia University’s strength lies in its diversity—17 schools, countless disciplines, and four campuses, all united by a shared commitment to advance knowledge and positively impact the world. But how do we bridge these distinct communities to foster collaboration, innovation, and meaningful change? This panel brings together visionary alumni leaders who have successfully built interdisciplinary networks and launched cross-school initiatives. Whether you’re leading a regional club, launching an alumni project, or simply passionate about uniting Columbia’s extraordinary talent, this discussion will equip you with insights to strengthen ties—and turn them into tangible and impactful results.

Introduction: Trina Nurse ’22SW
Moderator: Kate Konecny Pope ’13SPS
Speakers: Ben Dubin-Thaler ’00CC, ’08GSAS, Matthew Rambo ’25GS ,’27SIPA, Ian West ’22NRS, ’24NRS

The Power of Pride — Leading with Honor, Humility, and Humanity

Jed D. Satow Room, Fifth Floor

Pride is one of the most powerful yet misunderstood human emotions. At its best, it inspires dignity, resilience, and service to a greater good; at its worst, it fuels arrogance, division, and blind overconfidence. This session explores the paradox of pride through stories of great leaders, findings from psychology and neuroscience, and reflections from spiritual traditions that caution against ego yet honor the dignity of belonging and purpose. Together, we will reflect on what it means to practice pride that uplifts rather than divides—in ourselves, in Columbia, and in the communities and nations we represent. Participants will leave with fresh inspiration and practical ways to embody pride that honors both humility and humanity.

Introduction: Michelle Mirsky ’77DM, P: ’17DM
Speakers: Hitendra Wadhwa

1:00–3:15 p.m.: Leaders Experience Luncheon

Alfred Lerner Hall | Roone Arledge Auditorium, First Floor

Join fellow alumni leaders as we honor the 2025 Alumni Medalists and celebrate this year’s Columbia Alumni Association Global Clubs of Excellence award recipients. This signature event will serve as the finale to Leaders Experience, bringing the Columbia community together for an inspiring luncheon in Lerner Hall. The luncheon will feature a conversation between Acting President Claire Shipman ’86CC and CAA Chair Lanny Breuer ’80CC, ’84SIPA, ’85LAW