UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer with YANA
Start 2024 with Purpose!
This New Year, consider how you want to make an impact. YANA is seeking passionate alumni to join its Development, Governance, Finance, Dwight Hall, and 2025 Conference Planning Committees. It’s a great way to align your time with your values, expand your network, and contribute to meaningful social change.
Development Committee
Supports YANA’s growth by spearheading fundraising efforts, fostering donor relationships, and creating resource development plans. Members collaborate to secure the financial resources needed to advance YANA’s mission and ensure long-term sustainability.
Governance Committee
Ensures YANA operates with integrity and transparency by overseeing policies, bylaws, and board effectiveness. Members refine YANA’s structure and provide strategic guidance to strengthen its leadership and impact.
Finance Committee
Provides critical oversight of YANA’s financial health, from developing annual budgets to monitoring expenses and revenue. Members work to ensure financial transparency and sustainability while supporting the organization’s strategic goals.
Dwight Hall Committee
Fosters opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, paid social impact summer internships through YANA’s partnership with Dwight Hall at Yale. Members ensure the program’s impact is communicated to the broader network and students continue to deepen their involvement with YANA.
2025 Conference Planning Committee
Drives preparations for YANA’s next signature gathering. Members collaborate on all aspects of event planning, from programming to logistics, to ensure a transformative experience that connects and empowers the YANA community.
Let’s make a difference together!
YANA Town Halls are Live from New York!
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 our January event:
What is a Living Building? Why is Yale Building One?
Jan. 29 | In-Person (Yale Club of NYC) & via Zoom
Join Reverend Gregory E. Sterling, The Henry L. Slack Dean of Yale Divinity School, as he explores the science, design, and ethics behind the Living Village at Yale Divinity School. As part of Yale’s sustainability and Planetary Solutions initiative, this transformative net-positive-energy project will set new standards in sustainable architecture and community living.
This is a unique opportunity to learn how the Living Village exemplifies Yale’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and regenerative design.
Registration required and open to Alumni, Students, and Friends of Yale.
GLC Book Talk: David Blight in conversation with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
Jan. 22 | 5:00pm ET – In Person (Yale Campus) & Virtual
David W. Blight in conversation with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II about: “White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy” (Liveright, 2024)
One of the most pernicious and persistent myths in the United States is the association of Black skin with poverty. Though there are forty million more poor white people than Black people, most Americans, both Republicans and Democrats, continue to think of poverty—along with issues like welfare, unemployment, and food stamps—as solely a Black problem. What are the historical causes and political consequences that result from this myth?
The Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, a leading advocate for the rights of the poor and the “closest person we have to Dr. King” (Cornel West), addresses these questions in “White Poverty.” Analyzing what has changed since the 1930s, when the face of American poverty was white, Barber, along with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, addresses white poverty as a hugely neglected subject that just might provide the key to mitigating racism and bringing together tens of millions of working class and impoverished Americans.
Barber writes about the lies that prevent us from seeing the pain of poor white families who have been offered little more than their “whiteness” and angry social media posts to sustain them in an economy where the costs of housing, healthcare, and education have skyrocketed while wages have stagnated for all but the very rich. Braiding poignant autobiographical recollections with astute historical analysis, “White Poverty” contends that tens of millions of America’s poorest earners, the majority of whom don’t vote, have much in common, thus providing us with one of the most empathetic and visionary approaches to American poverty in decades.
Sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition, the MacMillan Center at Yale University; and the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School.
Co-sponsored by Belonging at Yale, the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale, and The Campaign School at Yale.
Yale Women’s Leadership Initiative Conference & Luncheon
Feb 1 & 2 | In-Person (Yale Campus)
YaleWomen & WLI are hosting a luncheon that brings together women from diverse fields for networking and conversation.
Conference: WLI is hosting their annual Yale Women’s Leadership Initiative Conference on February 1st and 2nd. This two-day event is dedicated to empowering women as leaders and change-makers. Join to engage with inspiring panelists, celebrate gender equity, and connect in an inclusive, transformative space. Click here for more information and to register. Attendance is free.
Luncheon: YaleWomen will also co-host a special luncheon during the conference on Feb 1st, with Welcome & Remarks from 10:30-11:30 am, featuring Ann Olivarius (Yale BA, JD, MBA; Oxford Ph.D), a pioneering feminist lawyer, as keynote speaker and our very own YaleWomen Council Member Claudia Rosenthal (Yale BA, MM; Columbia MBA), speaking on the power of female mentorship, followed by a luncheon from 11:30 am-1pm. The luncheon will bring together Yale women alums with current Yale undergrad students for a dynamic, intergenerational space for conversation, and collaboration. Then, stay for our sister organization’s Women’s Leadership Conference, featuring engaging speakers, thought-provoking panels, and actionable insights on career and leadership journeys. The luncheon is $15 (plus applicable fees). Space is limited for the luncheon – secure your spot now by purchasing your ticket here on EventBrite.
Gratitude Network Fellowship Applications are Open
The Gratitude Network Fellowship is a year-long program designed for nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs whose organizations are improving the lives of children and youth worldwide. Focused on three key areas—Education, Health and Well-being, and Children’s Rights—the Fellowship accelerates growth through leadership development, strategic planning, and team alignment.
Fellows gain access to 1:1 leadership coaching, peer learning groups, and a robust Scaling Up curriculum that equips them with tools to expand their organizations’ impact. Through monthly virtual sessions, participants enhance their capacity to lead, align their teams, and develop clear, multi-year strategic goals.
Ideal candidates are leaders of growth-stage nonprofits committed to scaling their impact. Past fellows have transformed their organizations, increasing the number of children and youth served while building sustainable operational frameworks.
Join a global network of over 200 leaders making a difference in 90 countries, collectively benefiting 87 million children. With only 30 Fellows selected each year, the program is a unique opportunity for high-impact leaders ready to take their mission to the next level.
Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open! Visit our website to learn more about the program, eligibility, and how to apply. Transform your leadership, and grow your impact today!
YANA INSIGHTS & CONNECTIONS
2024: A Year of Impact and Growth for YANA
As we reflect on 2024, we celebrate the meaningful milestones and events that shaped the YANA community:
- Welcoming New Leadership: Kristin Urquiza joined YANA as our new Executive Director, bringing her wealth of experience and vision for advancing social impact. We also welcomed seven dynamic new board members: Shruti Adhar, Gabriella Capone, Gary Glasser, Joellyn Gray, Rachel Littman, Amir Pasic, and Ed Spitzberg.
- 11th Excellence Award: YANA was honored with its 11th consecutive Yale Alumni Association Board of Governors Excellence Award, recognizing our dedication to social impact.
- Social Impact Conference and Awards Luncheon: Nearly 300 attendees gathered at the Yale Club in New York City to celebrate achievements in the nonprofit sector. Highlights included a keynote by Bishop William Barber II, emphasizing moral responsibility in uplifting marginalized communities.
- Caribbean Chapter Events: Our Caribbean Chapter hosted events showcasing the region’s rich culture while building awareness and support for hurricane relief efforts.
- Afternoon with Elizabeth Falkner: In San Francisco, 20 attendees joined award-winning chef, author, and activist Elizabeth Falkner for an inspiring discussion on sustainability, civil rights activism, and entrepreneurial ventures. Highlights included her collaboration with Yale on reducing hospitality carbon footprints and a private screening of her pandemic-focused documentary, “Sorry, We’re Closed.”
- Expanded Engagement: YANA welcomed new members across committees and chapters, growing our global impact and fostering deeper connections.
- Dynamic Events: From webinars to regional meetups, YANA continued to connect changemakers, inspire collaboration, and highlight innovative solutions.
These accomplishments underscore the power of collective action in creating meaningful change. As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to build on this momentum and deepen our commitment to social impact. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Building Lasting Relationships: The Key to Nonprofit Success
In today’s challenging fundraising landscape, where donor retention rates have dropped by 3% in early 2024, nonprofits must focus on building stronger, more meaningful relationships with their supporters. The good news? A strategic approach to donor engagement can transform occasional givers into lifelong advocates for your cause. Here are four proven strategies to boost donor loyalty:
- Know Your Donors Inside Out. Understanding what drives your supporters is crucial. By analyzing donation patterns and engagement history, you can create personalized experiences that resonate with each donor’s motivations. This targeted approach makes supporters feel valued and understood.
- Embrace the Power of Monthly Giving. Don’t underestimate small but consistent donors. Monthly givers, regardless of amount, provide reliable support that sustains your organization. These dedicated supporters deserve special attention and regular updates about their impact.
- Master the Art of Appreciation. A well-crafted thank-you strategy can double your chances of receiving future donations. Get creative with your gratitude – from personalized notes to social media recognition. Show donors exactly how their contributions make a difference.
- Leverage Smart Technology. Modern CRM platforms and AI tools can streamline your donor communications while maintaining a personal touch. Automation handles routine tasks, freeing your team to focus on meaningful donor interactions. The key to success lies in viewing donor relationships as long-term investments rather than one-time transactions. Each interaction is an opportunity to strengthen your connection with supporters and demonstrate the value of their continued involvement. Ready to transform your donor relationships? Start by evaluating your current engagement strategies and identifying opportunities to add more personal touches. Remember, every step toward better donor relationships is a step toward a more sustainable future for your nonprofit. Together, let’s make 2024 the year of unprecedented donor loyalty and impact.
YALIES IN SOCIAL IMPACT
2025’s Challenges Call for Effective Altruism’s Smart Approach
In the face of rapid global changes expected in 2025, the need for efficient and impactful social initiatives has never been more crucial. Enter effective altruism, a philosophy and social movement that applies evidence and reason to determine the most efficient ways to benefit others. At the forefront of this movement is Yale alumna Cari Tuna ’08, whose work is reshaping the landscape of philanthropy.
Tuna has become a prominent figure in the world of strategic giving. As the president of Good Ventures, a philanthropic foundation she co-founded with her husband Dustin Moskovitz, Tuna has championed the principles of effective altruism in high-impact philanthropy.
Effective altruism, at its core, asks one critical question: “How can we use our resources to help others the most?” This approach involves:
- Cause prioritization: Identifying which causes will have the greatest impact.
- Evidence-based strategies: Using rigorous research to determine the most effective interventions.
- Quantitative analysis: Measuring and comparing the outcomes of different approaches.
Tuna’s work exemplifies these principles. Good Ventures, in close collaboration with GiveWell, a nonprofit that conducts in-depth research to find outstanding giving opportunities, has directed millions of dollars to highly effective charities. Their focus areas include global health and development, animal welfare, and mitigating potential risks from advanced artificial intelligence.
In 2025, the landscape of social impact is evolving dramatically. Climate change disasters, like the horrific and unfolding Los Angeles fires, along with technological advancements and global health challenges, are reshaping our world. Effective altruism, with leaders like Tuna at the helm, offers a roadmap for navigating these changes efficiently and ethically.
While Tuna operates at an exceptional scale of philanthropy, her analytical approach to doing good offers valuable lessons for all Yalies. Whether working with modest resources or substantial means, her example shows how careful thinking and evidence-based decision-making can help maximize the impact of any contribution to social change.
As we face an uncertain future, the principles of effective altruism – thoughtful analysis, evidence-based decision making, and a commitment to maximizing impact – will be more important than ever. Tuna and her fellow effective altruists are leading the way towards a more efficient and impactful approach to solving global challenges.
Alum Spotlight: YANA Dwight Hall Fellow to Humanitarian Leader
In our ongoing series highlighting Yale alumni making meaningful social impact, we’re proud to feature Marwan Safar Jalani ’20, who was selected as one of two inaugural YANA-Dwight Hall Fellows in 2017. His journey from Fellow to Rhodes Scholar exemplifies the transformative power of supporting passionate young leaders committed to social change.
As part of YANA’s first-ever summer fellowship cohort, Jalani demonstrated his commitment to social justice by dividing his time between the Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven and a Palo Alto-based nonprofit focused on immigration education. “I owe much of my path to the Rhodes Scholarship to my summer experiences,” Marwan reflects. “Thank you to the YANA and Dwight Hall community for your efforts, commitment and dedication to supporting low-income students committed to public and community service.”
Today, Marwan serves as a Global Crisis Analyst in Policy and Solutions at the International Rescue Committee in New York, where he designs and implements analysis projects that inform IRC’s policy and advocacy strategy. His work addresses a wide range of humanitarian crises globally, drawing on his expertise in conflict dynamics, geopolitics, climate change, and humanitarian-development partnerships.
Marwan’s story stands as a testament to YANA’s mission of nurturing future social impact leaders and the importance of the YANA-Dwight Hall fellowship. His achievements remind us of the lasting impact that early support and mentorship can have on promising young leaders committed to positive social change.