#kogodambassador

[kogod]

(Net) Impact in Action

Net Impact Kogod is our American University chapter of the global Net Impact organization. This organization connects undergraduate, graduate, and professionals around the world who are interested in finding the intersection between profitability and positive social impact. 

Our Kogod chapter serves the cohort by providing direct access to this massive network of business-minded folks from all industries and markets. Specifically, we provide students with social and learning events to examine how much American University students can push themselves to become more civically engaged and aware of critical national initiatives such as Sustainability, Impact Investing, Climate Justice, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices. 

As part of this incredible organization - I was able to attend the Net Impact Leadership Conference this past September. This event connected graduate students and professional chapters from all over the world - reaching mission-driven individuals in over 20 different countries! Our daily activities included hands-on workshops and panels from sustainability thought leaders and advocates. 

These learning opportunities and connections are so critical in digital and remote times - reminding us that we all have much more in common than we have apart. Not only does Net Impact Kogod reach a wide audience of students and advocates outside of campus - our cohort has committed to contributing to our local community as well! 

As of this fall, Net Impact will be the official home of the AU Sustainability Club and is a partner of the AU Office of Sustainability providing attendance and support to their important student-centric mission. 

-Stephanie Holzinger, MBA ‘20

[kogod]

Best of Both Worlds

In college, my desire to strengthen my cross-culture understanding led me to pursue my degrees in Political Science and Latin American Studies. However, studying in rural Minnesota, where subzero temperatures accompanied half the school year, did not exactly attract multitudes of international students. Despite this, I sought out every available intercultural exchange opportunity as an undergraduate student and became increasingly aware of a gap between theoretical effects of international policy and its real-world effects on an individual level.  

After three years with the Peace Corps and various on-the-ground experiences, I realized that I did not yet have all the tools necessary to be effective in addressing the root causes of development issues. After doing some research on different programs and school options, I chose to pursue the MBA/MS Dual Degree in Development Management with Kogod School of Business and the School of International Service at American University to better understand the economic factors behind behavior change and develop financial analysis skills for organizational management.

I can already sense that during my time in the MBA/MS program, I will gain a much stronger understanding of how private investment can be used generate community-led development. My professional goal is to manage a development organization that guides and empowers rural community members on personal finance and business plans, which would generate income and enable them to invest more money into their children’s education.

- Anna Cron, MBA/MS ‘23