Leave Your Mark: academic expertise to support the third sector

Leave your Mark is an initiative that involves POLIMI Graduate School of Management alumni, faculty, and staff members, giving them the opportunity to put their pro bono skills at the service of non-profit organisations committed to promoting a more equitable and inclusive future.

In this interview, Leonardo Mondonico, a Lecturer at POLIMI GSoM, talks about what motivated him to participate, what skills he chose to share and how this experience is enriching his professional and personal journey. 
His contribution highlights the value that an academic perspective can bring to the third sector, stimulating more effective thinking, innovation and practices within organisations.

What motivated you to participate in Leave Your Mark and how do you think your academic perspective can contribute to the project?

The main motivation that drove me to participate in the Leave Your Mark project was the opportunity to offer a real contribution in management and coordination to non-profit organisations. These entities, while motivated by a strong desire to “do good” and make a positive impact on society, can often benefit greatly from an external perspective capable of introducing more structured and efficient management methods.

I believe that my academic background can bring significant value in this respect: it allows me to observe organisational dynamics objectively and to identify any inefficiencies or areas for improvement more clearly. Such an analytical vision can stimulate important reflections within the organisation and encourage the adoption of more effective practices, thus contributing in a concrete way to the achievement of the social mission.

What skills or methodological approaches do you think you can offer to the non-profit organisation with which you are working?

I believe that I can offer a combination of skills and methodological approaches developed both academically and professionally. In particular, I’m referring to organisational skills and a propensity for objective process analysis, which allow me to identify any inefficiencies in a structured way and to propose operational solutions.

In addition to these skills, I believe that my creativity can represent additional added value: the ability to propose new ideas and offer different perspectives can stimulate innovation within the organisation and contribute to its growth. Finally, I bring with me the knowledge of the operation of structured professional environments, from which you can draw inspiration in terms of management, internal organisation and operational efficiency.

How is this experience enriching your career and personal journey?

This experience is an important opportunity for me to grow, both professionally and personally. From a professional point of view, it gives me the chance to test my business management skills in a new context, the non-profit sector, which is characterised by unique dynamics and goals that go beyond financial profit. It is an opportunity to gain a close understanding of how these organisations work and to adapt management tools and methodologies to different contexts.

On a personal level, the project allows me to see at first hand the value and concrete impact that a well-structured intervention can have in supporting social initiatives. In this sense, it is an experience that broadens my vision, strengthens my sensitivity to the common good and allows me to see more clearly the contribution that managerial skills can make to society.

To find out more about Leave Your Mark and how to participate in the initiative, visit the dedicated page.