Cultivating a Culture of Philanthropy

The HKS Fund Executive Council

The HKS Fund Executive Council fosters alumni engagement and cultivates a culture of philanthropy among HKS alumni. Members lead a comprehensive volunteer fundraising program while working to increase the number of alumni who give each year to the HKS Fund.

In addition to supporting the School at a leadership level, members dedicate significant time connecting alumni with one another and with areas of the School where donations from alumni make a critical difference, including financial aid, student publications and conferences, new initiatives, and more.

Key Council accomplishments in 2017–2018 include:

Making Giving Easier

Members rolled out a number of new initiatives to make giving easier, including options to give while registering for events online and on-site at Reunion.

Donor Benefits

Council members expanded membership benefits for Littauer and Loyalty Society members to include special seating at worldwide events and a monthly digest of digital learning opportunities.

Student Education

Executive Council members launched a poster series aimed at educating students about how philanthropy fuels the student experience. Members of the Executive Council joined a reception, sponsored by co-chair Sean Rush MC/ MPA 2007, to celebrate the Graduating Class Gift campaign.

Lessons From Faculty

In May, members met with Professor Jennifer Lerner to explore how to use findings on decision making to create a more cohesive community of alumni donors.

HKS Fund Award

The Executive Council awarded the HKS Fund Outstanding Alumni Award to Mary Kurkjian MPP 1978 in honor of her longstanding support of the HKS Fund.

2017–2018 Executive Council

Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine MPP 1996 (co-chair)

Lisa Bellucci MC/MPA 1997

Jieun Baek MPP 2014

Rudy N. Brioché MPP 2000

Alexandre V. Chavarot MPP 1992

Robert Ferri MC/MPA 1986

Jorge Jaramillo HKSEE 2001, 2012

John Kennedy Jr. MC/MPA 1988

Nicholas Kukrika MPP 2007

Alexandra Linden MPA 2009

Edward Novakoff MC/MPA 2005

Wendy Pangburn MC/MPA 1986

Lala Qadir MPP 2004

Alex Robinson HKSEE 1998

Robert A. Rodriguez MPP 1992

Greg Rosenbaum MPP 1977, JD 1977

Sean C. Rush MC/MPA 2007 (co-chair)

Zack Shah MC/MPA 2013

Jill A. Wagner MPA 1983

Peter Wilson MPP 1992