We have created an alumni volunteer task force uniquely positioned to help diversify our student outreach approach, strengthen more diverse alumni community engagement and visibility, and raise new funds for diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Alumni Task Force are divided into three distinct committees: the Admissions Committee, the Alumni Engagement Committee, and the Fundraising Committee. Below is a list of all committee members and a few of their testaments.
“In order to train the next generation of leaders, it is essential that Booth provides its students and alumni with resources to understand and value diversity in the workplace. The Diversity & Inclusion Fund shows that Booth is willing to commit capital to these efforts and allows me, as an alumnus, to support.”
Vernon Gair, ’19
Senior Director of Finance, ACRONYM
“Attending Booth radically changed my life, so I am a very proud Booth alumna. Especially as I want the school to succeed in attracting the best talents and believe that, with its global community, it is uniquely positioned to influence corporate practices and success in creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.”
Michaëlle Gocko, ’11
Co-founder, Rise Up Conseils
“I’m excited to help Booth attract the very best global talent, and we know we can’t do that without making real investments in how we identify and support diverse students. My hope is that our efforts will enable students who may not have imagined an MBA from Booth was a possibility to attend our wonderful institution and that we can offer them a supportive and rewarding experience.”
Kristen Mleczko, ’11
Manager Global Development Programs, McKinsey & Company
“Diversity and inclusion provides the opportunity to learn from people from different cultures and to solve problems by learning from different perspectives.”
Chaka M. Patterson, ’17
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Adtalem Global Education, Inc.
“I give back to help address equity gaps in black and brown communities, which have historically faced systems of oppression leading to being socioeconomically disadvantaged.”
Damon Vaughan, ’04
Senior Product Manager, Cardinal Health
“One of my favorite parts of Booth culture is the mentality of paying it forward. As alumni, we help prospectives, students and younger alumni with their career goals because other alumni did the same for us. Now it's time to pay it forward and bring even more diversity to our program. I want to show students, alumni, faculty, and staff that diversity and inclusion matters.”
YaoYao Wang, ’15
Vice President, Diamond Nutriceutical
“As a person of color and the parent of young people of color, I'm keenly aware of the importance of a seat at the table in shaping the future.”
Gina Benson Warren, ’91
We are saddened by the loss of committee member Courtney Hall, ’03, in April 2021. He was a supportive member of the alumni community, committed to furthering the D&I conversation at Booth, and his presence will be missed.
Questions about the Diversity and Inclusion Alumni Task Force? Please contact Mary Adekoya, Associate Director, Affinity Programs and Engagement.
Gayathri Rajan and Dean Madhav Rajan sponsored a challenge to find 500 donors to support Chicago Booth’s newly formed diversity and inclusion funds by fiscal year end. After just two months, we reached that 500-donor milestone, thereby successfully unlocking the Rajan's $100,000 gift! Inspired by those who had already risen to the challenge, the D&I Alumni Task Force fundraising committee sponsored another $30,000 to challenge 100 more donors by June 30, which was also successful.
In recognition of this generous gift, the campus will be renamed the Robert Rothman, ’77, London Campus.
Gift from Robert Rothman, ’77, to Support the London Campus and Global Faculty in Residence Program
Deirdre Campbell, ’06, helps companies, organizations, and individuals show their best selves through her application of strategy, marketing, analysis, and communication.
Q&A with Deirdre Campbell, ’06
Awareness of disparities in income, support, and opportunities in her childhood neighborhood of Hyde Park is part of what led Judy Maley, ’84, along with Gayle Haller, ’87, to found Booth Alumni Nonprofit Consultants (BANC).
Giving Back to the Community
