Social Impact at Booth: Get to Know the Giving Something Back Group

In light of the season of giving, we recently connected with Cristina Grima Algora and Mariana Toro, co-chairs of the Giving Something Back (GSB) Group. Read on as they shine light on the impactful ways GSB has been able to serve and give back to the South Side of Chicago.

Cristina is originally from Madrid, Spain, where she did her undergrad in Law and Business. After school, Cristina decided she wanted to work in finance and moved to London where she joined Santander Bank. After four years, she was ready for a new challenge and made the choice to pursue an MBA to grow as a leader and broaden her perspective. Chicago Booth’s analytical approach and incredible community feel ultimately led Cristina to choose Booth.

Cristina has always been passionate about giving back to her community, especially regarding women’s issues and education, so she knew she wanted to get involved with the Giving Something Back Group during her time at Booth.

Mariana was born and raised in Mexico City, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering. After two years of working in supply chain management, Mariana decided to transition into management consulting within the financial services industry. She’s always felt a deep connection to Chicago, and after spending almost six months working in Chicago on client engagements, she knew this was the city she wanted to call home.

Throughout Mariana’s career and personal life, she’s been drawn towards building communities, and Booth’s commitment to “pay-it-forward” truly resonated with her core values. In the past, she volunteered in marginalized communities in Mexico and participated in transitional housing projects. Mariana loves that Booth provides a space for students to give back to the Chicagoland community, particularly in neighborhoods with a significant concentration of Hispanic and Latinx residents who could benefit from their support.

group of Giving Something Back group member at an event

About the Giving Something Back Group

The Giving Something Back (GSB) Group at Booth provides opportunities for Booth students to engage with the broader Chicago community and contribute to causes that matter. Their mission is to empower Booth students to engage in meaningful volunteer work that not only helps those in need but also strengthens the bonds within Booth’s community. GSB strives to create accessible and impactful opportunities for everyone, regardless of prior volunteer experience. By connecting Boothies with local organizations, GSB aims to contribute to the well-being of Chicago's diverse communities while inspiring a lifelong commitment to giving back.

What kind of events and volunteer opportunities does GSB offer?

We offer all types of volunteering opportunities given the needs of the community. These include food bank volunteering, meal distribution, house-building projects, educational outreach, business consulting, and, of course, our signature annual charity auction event during the Winter Quarter.

group of Giving Something Back group members at an event

Cristina's Favorite GSB Event:

My favorite event so far has been volunteering with Care for Real in Chicago. Alongside a group of Booth students, we distributed food to individuals and families in need. The experience allowed us not only to help the community but connect with people going through difficult times, which reminded us of the positive impact a small action can have.

Mariana's Favorite GSB Event:

My favorite event so far has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Not only is it a highly engaging activity, from building and painting houses to using nail guns during the winter, but it also offers an incredible opportunity to connect with the community. Part of Habitat for Humanity's mission is to encourage homeowners to actively participate in the construction of their homes. Sharing this experience with them, alongside friends, has been truly eye-opening for me, and I have developed a deep respect for the organization’s mission.

Tell us about some of the organizations the Giving Something Back Group has partnered with in the City of Chicago.

GSB has partnered with a wide range of local organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Augustana Lutheran Church for their annual Thanksgiving dinner service, Defy Ventures, Deborah’s Place, Cradles to Crayons, and SuitUp. Collaborating with these organizations has been incredibly rewarding, as it allows us to contribute to various meaningful causes while fostering strong relationships with community leaders. These partnerships provide Booth students with hands-on experiences that deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by local communities.

How has GSB been able to make a lasting impact on the local community in Chicago?

GSB is one of Booth’s largest student organizations, with over 200 members. GSB has made and continues to make an impact by partnering with organizations, through small volunteering opportunities and larger scale initiatives such as our bespoke annual charity auction, which in 2024, managed to raise $40,000 to support local Chicago charities like Deborah’s Place and Defy Ventures.

What’s next for the Giving Something Back Group?

We are exploring more opportunities to support youth education initiatives, such as tutoring programs, career workshops, and mentoring underserved communities. Additionally, we look forward to hearing suggestions from our classmates to help us grow our partnerships and create new volunteering opportunities in the years to come.

For more information on the Giving Something Back Group, we encourage you to check out their website:
Giving Something Back Group

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