UPCOMING EVENTS
Live from NYC
YANA Town Halls provide an ideal opportunity for mission-driven alums to meet each other and exchange ideas and information to help achieve social impact. These events occur live at the Yale Club in New York City AND are accessible via Zoom. Join us from anywhere!
If attending in person, join us after the program in the Main Lounge to convene and connect over cocktails. You don’t need to be a member of the Yale Club to join us!
Register now for this September event:
From the Congo to Connecticut: Inspiring and Supporting Youth Through Action
Sept. 25 | 6:30pm ET – In-Person (Yale Club of NYC) & via Zoom
Join us at the September Live from New York Town Hall for an inspiring discussion between Jeannot Basima ‘27, founder of the Jeannot Basima Basketball Camp and Foundation (JBF) in Goma, Congo, and Josiah Brown ‘92, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocacy (CASA).
Jeannot and Josiah will share insights on empowering at-risk youth through sports and advocacy. This conversation will explore how meaningful change is created and how Yalies across generations are collaborating to transform youth development–from the basketball courts of Goma to the courtrooms of Connecticut. Don’t miss this impactful exchange of ideas and inspiring duo!
Register Now! Join the Yale nonprofit community for our annual Social Impact Conference, a day of education, celebration, and inspiration as we connect Yale alumni working towards positive social change. We’ll cover best practices in advocacy, strategic planning, utilizing AI, and fundraising. Learn about emerging trends while meeting people, who like you, are committed to making a difference in the world. Space is limited and we will sell out. Register today to reserve your space!
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Maria Torres-Springer ’99
Maria Torres-Springer ‘99 is a dedicated public servant with a distinguished career in city government and a strong commitment to urban development, economic empowerment, and community engagement. Born and raised in California, Torres-Springer is the daughter of Filipino immigrants. She graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in Ethics, Politics, and Economics and later earned a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
Torres-Springer’s career in public service began in New York City, where she quickly emerged as a dynamic leader. Throughout her career, Maria Torres-Springer has been a tireless advocate for inclusive development and economic justice. She is known for her ability to build coalitions and her commitment to policies that prioritize the needs of underserved communities.
One of Torres-Springer’s most notable roles was as the President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), where she led efforts to promote economic growth across the city. Under her leadership, NYCEDC launched numerous initiatives to support small businesses, foster innovation in technology and life sciences, and revitalize industrial areas. She was particularly focused on creating jobs and opportunities for all New Yorkers, emphasizing the importance of inclusive economic development.
Following her tenure at NYCEDC, Torres-Springer served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the largest municipal housing agency in the United States. At HPD, she spearheaded efforts to increase affordable housing options, improve living conditions in public housing, and implement policies to protect tenants’ rights. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s ambitious housing plan, which aimed to create and preserve 300,000 affordable housing units by 2026.
Currently, Torres-Springer serves as Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development under New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In this role, she oversees the city’s housing, economic development, and workforce development agencies, working to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing and economic opportunities. Her priorities include advancing racial equity, supporting small businesses, and addressing the city’s housing crisis.
Her work continues to shape the future of New York City, making it a more equitable and vibrant place for all its residents.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and enable you and your organization to play a vital role in fostering positive change.
Thank you to our sponsors, a wonderful group of
big-hearted social impact leaders!
YANA INSIGHTS & CONNECTIONS
YANA Mentorship Highlight: Frailty Myths and Heller Fundraising Group Partnership
Frailty Myths, a nonprofit led by women, queer, and POC individuals, is making significant strides with its capital campaign to establish the Frailty Myths Oasis—a community learning center designed to be a pivotal hub for racial, gender, and climate justice in the Bay Area. This initiative aims to foster leadership and strengthen community resilience against systemic injustices, providing a vital space for growth and empowerment.
Managed by the Heller Fundraising Group, this campaign underscores the powerful collaborations and connections nurtured through the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance (YANA). After participating in YANA’s Nonprofit Mentorship Program, Frailty Myths connected with Heller, marking a fruitful partnership. As a mentee in the program, Frailty Myths has benefited immensely from the guidance and support of Yale alumni experts, highlighting the mentorship program’s early success in empowering, connecting, and catalyzing alumni-led nonprofits to achieve their fullest potential.
The Frailty Myths Oasis campaign has made a promising start. With a generous anchor donation of $300,000 from the Kataly Foundation, Frailty Myths and Heller are working diligently to raise the remaining $1.8 million needed to make this transformative project a reality. We are excited to see the Oasis come to life and encourage our members to learn more about Frailty Myths or get involved in their campaign.
YANA is Growing Our Mentorship Program
If you run a nonprofit in need of mentorship support or are a professional looking to volunteer some time, we need you! Find out more about the Mentorship Program
YALIES IN SOCIAL IMPACT
Tess Hart SOM ’17 & Bill Popwell SOM ’16:
A Bright Future in Socially Responsible Brewing
In the heart of Philadelphia, Triple Bottom Brewing Company stands as a testament to the power of combining business with social good. Co-founded by Tess Hart SOM ’17 and her husband Bill Popwell SOM ’16, this brewery is more than just a place to enjoy a pint; it’s a beacon of hope and opportunity for many.
Triple Bottom Brewing, a certified B Corporation, is named for its three bottom lines: beer, people, and the planet. The brewery’s mission is to create moments of joy and connection that inspire and empower everyone to craft a better future. This vision is deeply rooted in Hart’s experiences at Yale SOM, where she explored economic development and social entrepreneurship.
The brewery’s commitment to social impact is evident in its hiring practices. Partnering with local nonprofits like Project HOME and the Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project, Triple Bottom Brewing provides fair chance employment to individuals who have faced significant barriers, including homelessness and incarceration. This summer, they launched a 16-week apprenticeship program, funded by the Barra Foundation, to further support these individuals in gaining valuable skills and employment opportunities.
Environmental sustainability is also a core value. The brewery offsets its electricity use with renewable energy credits and meticulously manages its resource consumption, ensuring that their operations are as eco-friendly as possible.
Hart credits Yale SOM for giving her the confidence and support to pursue this ambitious venture. “I don’t know that I would have done that without that safe space of taking risks and having support to ask questions,” she says.
Triple Bottom Brewing exemplifies how businesses can drive social change while still delivering a quality product. For Yale alumni interested in social impact, Hart’s journey is an inspiring example of how to blend passion with purpose.
