Net Impact Annual Conference

Net Impact is an international non-profit organization that links corporations from all over the world together to create positive impact on our environment through business. The Illinois MBA has a chapter of Net Impact on campus and strive to implement Net Impact's goals by working with local non-profit and businesses. We provide these businesses the expertise we learn from the MBA program and help them make the positive impact they seek for our community.

Companies that are closely linked with Net Impact includes Intel, Honest Tea, Starbucks, Sodexo, GE, Dell, and many others. Each year, Net Impact hosts an annual conference that brings all of these companies together along with members of both student and professional chapters of Net Impact. This year's conference was held at The Johnson School of Business at Cornell University. The Illinois MBA Net Impact chapter had seven representatives attended the event this year.

The conference ran for two days. It included panels and workshops along with a career expo. One of the panels I attended discussed how Fortune 500 corporations address corporate social responsibility (CSR). The panels were Senior VPs from Intel, Sodexo, and BT America. Each of them spoke about their responsibilities and challenges along with the importance of CSR in day-to-day operations.

I truly enjoyed the two day conference and believe that these type of events and topics are vital as we become leaders. The Illinois MBA program recognizes the importance of addressing CSR and sustainability. The program has a CSR, sustainability, and/or public affairs concentration in place for students who wish to explore and become experts in this area. I feel fortunate to be at a program that acknowledge the importance of these issues, especially in our current economic environment.

GMA/NET Impact Marketing Case Competion

The Graduate Marketing Association (GMA) and the Illinois MBA Net Impact hosted the first annual Marketing Case Competition last month. The goal of this year's competition was for current MBA students to provide expertise to a local non-profit organization. This year, GMA and Net Impact worked closely with the Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA), a local organization started by U of I alumni. The organization seek to help businesses in the Champaign-Urbana area green their organization through areas such as operations.

This year's winners were Jennifer Schmidt (MBA '11) and Nick Timpone (MBA '11).

The MBA program was happy to provide our personal and prior knowledge about small businesses and environmental practices to assist the local Illinois Green Business Association. Though it was a competition, we recognize that the combined contributions of all the teams will greatly assist this valuable student lead organization in fulfilling its mission. Fortunately for us, Jennifer’s expertise in environmental consulting and Nick’s knowledge within the local small business community combined to provide several “valuable ideas and concepts.” Anthony Santarelli – Director of Program Development for IGBA – said that he greatly appreciated all the teams hard work and creative ideas. He particularly liked Jennifer’s idea of “using recycled materials to construct the IGBA certificates.”

This was a great opportunity for us to represent the IMBA and apply academic concepts learned in the classroom into real-world solutions for an organization doing such important work. Best of luck Illinois Green Business Association in “greening the community one business at a time” and thanks again to all those who participated!