Dear YANA Community,
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with President McInnis during the Menlo Park For Humanity event. In our conversation, she shared valuable insights about Yale’s position amid increasing federal scrutiny of academic institutions.
I was particularly encouraged to learn that our University leadership is actively engaging in Washington rather than retreating. President McInnis emphasized that Yale will continue to advocate for its mission and the broader value of higher education during these challenging times.
In this edition, we highlight remarkable alumni making impacts in their communities and share updates on alumni-led initiatives and events. Your continued engagement with our alumni community is a meaningful practice and an essential part of strengthening Yale during this pivotal moment.
Warmly,
Kristin Urquiza ’03
YANA Executive Director
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
YANA Town Halls are Live from New York!
YANA Town Halls provide an opportunity for mission-driven alums to exchange ideas and information to help achieve social impact. These events occur live at the Yale Club of NYC and via Zoom.
You don’t need to be a member of the Yale Club to join us in person!
Register now for our March event:
YANA Nonprofit Mentorship
March 26 | 6:30pm ET – In-Person (Yale Club of NYC) & via Zoom
Join us at the Yale Club for a special Town Hall featuring Rachel Littman ‘91, Director of the YANA Mentorship Program. Hear how YANA is supporting nonprofits and how you can plug into the program. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion!
photo: Andrew Hurley
Join us on Campus: Celebrate & Strengthen the YANA-Dwight Hall Fellowship
March 26 | 5:00 PM ET – In-Person (Yale) & via Zoom
Join us on campus (or Zoom) for an inspiring evening celebrating the YANA-Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship’s impact and future. For eight years, this program has created pathways for Yale students to address pressing social challenges in public health, education, and social justice.
Our distinguished panel features Jonathan Fanton PhD ’78 (former MacArthur Foundation President), Asia Brown MAR MPH’19 (Wellspring Consulting), and current student Hameeda Uloomi ’25, moderated by Rob Leighton SOM ’89. These speakers, alongside past Fellows, will share powerful stories of transformation and impact.
Despite funding 32 Fellows to date, many qualified students still lack resources to participate. As nonprofits face increasing scrutiny and constraints, strengthening leadership pipelines has never been more critical.
Your support directly enables students to gain valuable experience while creating meaningful change in communities nationwide. Attend to discover how the Fellowship shapes career paths and helps solve society’s most complex problems.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow alumni and help us reach our campaign goal for this vital program!
FINAL CALL: Support the Next Generation of Yale Social Impact Leaders
The YANA–Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship is a transformative program that empowers Yale students to dedicate their summers to creating meaningful social impact. Now in its eighth year, this collaboration between the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance (YANA) and Dwight Hall at Yale provides funding and support for students passionate about addressing critical societal challenges, including public health, environmental justice, and educational access.
In 2024, YANA contributed $34,000, which directly supported eight fellows and allowed Dwight Hall to increase its total fellowships by 25%. These students contributed over 6,600 hours of service across New Haven and beyond, working hands-on with community organizations to tackle pressing issues.
The Fellowship offers more than just financial support—it provides a comprehensive learning experience. Fellows participate in workshops focused on professional growth, networking, mentorship, and critical reflection, helping them build the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful careers in the social sector. This holistic approach ensures that students not only make a difference in their communities but also gain valuable pre-professional experience that shapes their future paths.
The demand for this program is greater than ever. Many qualified students continue to be turned away due to limited funding, highlighting the continued need for donor support. We’re just $6,000 away from reaching what we raised last year! Help us meet that by our March 31 deadline.
Join Climate Champion Tom Steyer ‘79
March 24 | 5:30 PM PT – Zoom
YANA, Yale Blue Green, and the Yale Club of San Francisco invite you to an exclusive conversation with Tom Steyer ’79, Co-Executive Chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions and author of the acclaimed bestseller “Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War.”
This timely discussion features Steyer—founder of Farallon Capital Management and 2020 presidential candidate—who has dedicated his career to fighting climate change. His practical approach to climate solutions has garnered recognition, with his 2024 book named a New York Times Bestseller and Financial Times Best Book of the Year.
Leading the conversation is Marisa de Belloy ’94, President of the High Tide Foundation and Stanford MBA. A strategic climate leader in her own right, de Belloy serves on the boards of Carbon Mapper and Climate Lead, bringing valuable perspective to this important dialogue.
Attendees will gain insights into effective climate action strategies and have their pre-submitted questions addressed during the session. This is a rare opportunity to hear from two passionate Yale alumni at the forefront of climate advocacy.
photo: Michael Marsland
Final Call: Need a Summer Intern?
Empowering Students Through Summer Internships: YANA’s New Initiative
We’re thrilled to announce a new initiative from the YANA Student Chapter, aimed at connecting Yale students with transformative summer internships in the nonprofit sector. This program offers students the chance to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful social impact projects during their summer break.
As part of this effort, we are creating a Nonprofit Summer Internship Directory featuring opportunities from nonprofits across our YANA network. Whether your organization is looking for passionate students to support program development, research, communications, or on-the-ground projects, this is your chance to engage with the next generation of changemakers.
How it Works:
Nonprofits can easily submit their internship opportunities through a dedicated intake form. The YANA Student Chapter will actively promote the directory on campus, ensuring high visibility among Yale students eager to make a difference. This is a win-win: students gain invaluable experience while nonprofits benefit from fresh perspectives and dedicated support.
Why Participate?
- Access Talented Yale Students: Tap into a pool of driven, socially conscious individuals ready to contribute.
- Boost Your Mission: Expand your organization’s capacity with passionate interns eager to learn and support your work.
- Strengthen the YANA Community: Foster intergenerational connections and mentorship opportunities that align with YANA’s mission of empowering social impact leaders.
Ready to get involved? Submit your internship opportunity and help us create meaningful opportunities for Yale students this summer!
photo: Yale OPAC
YANA Pacific Northwest Chapter Hosts In-Person Seattle Networking Event
May 1 & May 2 | Seattle, WA
YANA’s Pacific Northwest Chapter invites you to join us for an exciting in-person networking event in Seattle. This gathering presents a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow Yale alumni who share your passion for social impact and community engagement.
Whether you’re a longtime YANA member or curious about getting involved, this event welcomes Yale graduates from all backgrounds interested in the nonprofit sector and social initiatives. The evening will feature casual networking in a relaxed atmosphere, allowing genuine connections to form among attendees.
The Pacific Northwest Chapter has been steadily growing its presence in the region, bringing together Yale alumni committed to making a difference through nonprofit work, philanthropy, and social enterprise. This Seattle meeting continues our tradition of fostering a supportive community of like-minded professionals.
Attendees will have the chance to learn about upcoming YANA initiatives, regional partnerships, and opportunities for involvement that match their interests and expertise. Light refreshments will be provided.
Don’t miss this chance to expand your professional network while reconnecting with the Yale community in a meaningful way. We look forward to seeing you there!
YANA INSIGHTS & CONNECTIONS
7 Mental Health Strategies Powering Today’s Most Successful Women Founders
photo: Premiere Pro
The entrepreneurial journey is as mentally demanding as it is rewarding, particularly for women navigating unique challenges in the business world. Forbes contributor Megan Bruneau recently explored this topic by interviewing seven accomplished women founders about their mental health practices.
These innovative leaders, who have built thriving companies while maintaining their well-being, share actionable strategies that have proven effective in their high-pressure roles. From structured morning routines to boundary-setting techniques, their approaches offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage.
The featured founders reveal how integrating mental health practices into their daily business operations hasn’t just prevented burnout—it has directly contributed to their companies’ success. Their candid discussions highlight how prioritizing psychological well-being serves as a competitive advantage in today’s demanding business landscape.
Among the tools discussed are science-backed meditation techniques, strategic delegation methods, community-building practices, and approaches to managing both criticism and success. What makes these strategies particularly valuable is their practicality—each can be implemented without significant time or financial investment.
Whether you’re launching a startup or leading an established organization, these mental health tools provide a framework for sustainable success that honors both business growth and personal well-being
Yale College Dean Lewis: Cultural Centers to Remain Steadfast Despite Federal DEI Changes
photo: Michael Marsland
In a recent statement that will reassure many Yale alumni concerned about the future of campus diversity initiatives, Dean Lewis has confirmed that Yale’s cultural centers will maintain their operations despite new federal anti-DEI directives.
The Yale Daily News reports that while the Trump administration’s executive order on DEI policies has created uncertainty across higher education, Yale’s cultural centers—cornerstones of student life and identity development for decades—will remain largely unaffected.
“We’ve been very thoughtful about how our cultural centers operate,” Dean Lewis explained in the article, emphasizing Yale’s commitment to supporting diverse student communities regardless of shifting federal priorities.
For alumni who have witnessed the evolution of Yale’s cultural landscape and perhaps benefited from these centers during their time on campus, this news represents Yale’s ongoing dedication to creating an inclusive environment.
The article details specific protections in place for Yale’s cultural programming and outlines how the administration plans to navigate this complex political terrain while preserving the university’s values.
As Yale continues to adapt to changing federal guidelines, alumni can take confidence in knowing that the cultural spaces and programs that have enriched campus life for generations of students will continue their essential work.
YALIES IN SOCIAL IMPACT
Vanessa Mason ‘06: Cultivating Belonging in Times of Change
Vanessa Mason’s pioneering work on belonging has taken on new relevance in our increasingly fractured world. The Yale graduate and strategic foresight expert has dedicated her career to understanding how communities maintain human connection even as traditional social structures evolve.
At the heart of Mason’s research is a profound insight: our collective ability to navigate challenging transitions depends heavily on our sense of interdependence and mutual care. “We can see how we doubled down on interdependence and mutuality so that all of us could be cared for,” she notes in her recent writing, emphasizing belonging as a fundamental human need rather than a luxury.
Mason’s approach draws from diverse traditions and histories to identify patterns of resilient communities throughout time. Her work demonstrates how belonging serves as both anchor and compass during periods of disorientation and change.
Particularly relevant is Mason’s exploration of joy as a practice of belonging—not merely as escape, but as preparation “for the world that has not come into being yet.” By fostering environments where people feel truly seen and valued, Mason suggests, we build the resilience necessary to face uncertainty together.
Her thoughtful analysis offers Yale alumni valuable frameworks for nurturing belonging in their own communities during these transformative times.
YANA Student Fellowship in Action
From Afghanistan to Yale: Hameeda Uloomi ’25 Empowers Refugee Women
Hameeda Uloomi ’25 embodied Yale’s tradition of scholarship and service through her fellowship at Elena’s Light, an organization dedicated to empowering female refugees and immigrants in Connecticut. As a recent transfer from El Camino Community College and an Afghan refugee herself, Uloomi brought unique insight to her work providing ESL tutoring, maternal health education, and driver’s license exam preparation to refugee families.
“I dedicate this accomplishment to the courageous women of Afghanistan, who have been unjustly denied the opportunity to pursue higher education,” Uloomi shares. Her journey from refugee to Yale student fuels her commitment to amplifying the voices of Afghan women and other marginalized communities.
At Elena’s Light, Uloomi worked alongside staff and volunteers helping refugee families embrace independence and thrive in their new homes. Her personal experience navigating the challenges of displacement informed her approach to supporting others on similar journeys.
“May this accomplishment serve as a testament to the power of education, the strength of women, and the unwavering commitment to justice for all,” she reflects, transforming her own opportunities into a platform for advocacy and change.
Hameeda is just one of 32 fellows YOU have supported in meaningful summer internships. Learn more about past fellows and their projects!