Participate as a Booth Graduate

From addressing systemic poverty to expanding health-care access, organizations in the Chicago ABC network are leading vital social impact work across the city. Serving on the board of one of these nonprofits gives you the opportunity not only to grow your leadership skills and your network, but to take action in supporting causes that matter to you.

ABC offers two complementary paths for Booth graduates:

1. A cohort-based experience for Chicago-area alumni, where a small group of participants move through a structured board search together. Cohorts meet once a month virtually to receive guidance on nonprofit governance and board readiness, are paired with an accountability peer, and are introduced to vetted Chicago-area nonprofits with board vacancies. 
2. Virtual mixers that provide a low-lift opportunity for Booth alumni and nonprofits across the US to explore board service and meet about open roles.

You’ll have the chance to:

• Partner with fellow alumni and community leaders to grow your own social sector knowledge and connections
• Create social impact by putting your Booth education to work
• Propel important social impact work through strategic projects across finance, marketing, crisis management, and more

The Alumni Board Connect cohort is open to Chicago-area alumni who graduated from any Booth MBA program at least three years ago OR with 10+ years of work experience. Virtual mixers are open more broadly to Booth MBA alumni and registered US nonprofits. 

Alumni applications for the 2026 Alumni Board Connect cohort will open in January.

The first mixer is scheduled for January 15, 2026.

Register here.

Participate as a Nonprofit

Connecting with motivated candidates who have the right skills for your board of directors is a critical part of your organization’s long-term strategy, but it can be a difficult and time-consuming process. ABC streamlines the process by offering multiple, low-lift ways for nonprofits to connect with Booth alumni interested in board service.

Chicagoland Nonprofits:

• Apply to be reviewed by a Chicagoland alumni in our guided cohort who are actively seeking new board opportunities. Selected organizations will be shared with alumni completing a structured, staff-assisted board search. In the application, you will describe the skill sets, financial and time commitments, and mission alignment you’re looking for in a board member.

All Nonprofits:

• Join our mixers, which require no preparation nor materials. Simply show up to share your mission and talk about your board with Booth alumni.
• Submit your board opportunity to our standing portal bank, where Booth alumni can browse your opening year-round. In the application, you will describe the skill sets, financial and time commitments, and mission alignment you’re looking for in a board member.

The first ABC mixer is scheduled for January 15, 2026. 

Register here

Nonprofit applications for alumni review will open in January.

"It can be challenging to find a diverse group of candidates for our board who can lend a variety of skills to help our organization grow. Chicago Booth alumni bring with them expertise that benefits our organization greatly."
—Steve Leaver, Executive Director, Imagination Theater

Meet our Executives in Residence

Learn from industry experts in the Rustandy Center’s network, who work closely with students as mentors and advisors and share insights from their experience in the social sector. Learn more about opportunities to engage with Dorri McWhorter and Todd Connor.

Follow the Rustandy Center