Leave your Mark: how the mentorship path supported the non-profit Medici Senza Frontiere (Doctors Without Borders)

Leave Your Mark is the POLIMI Graduate School of Management initiative that involves alumni, faculty, and staff in pro bono projects every year in support of non-profit organisations. In this interview, Maria Luisa Garofalo and Flavia Arcangeli of Medici Senza Frontiere relate how the mentorship offered by the Community has marked a decisive step in the organisation’s journey: from introducing a feedback culture to defining an Artificial Intelligence policy, addressing the future with stronger tools and a strategic vision.

What inspired you to participate in Leave Your Mark, and what expectations did you have at the beginning of the project?

We chose to participate in Leave Your Mark because we recognise the distinctive value of POLIMI GSoM professionals and the quality of their approach. We knew that this mentorship would give us access to high-level expertise that would guide us to strategically rethink our project. Our initial expectations were clear: to find solid professional support, authoritative dialogue, and the opportunity to structure our journey with greater rigour, vision, and impact. We can say that these expectations have not only been confirmed, but exceeded.

How has the pro bono support from our Community contributed to the development of your activities?  Are there any results or changes that you consider particularly significant?

The Community’s support has been instrumental in two areas that are critical to our organisation's growth. On the one hand, work on change management has enabled us to design a culture of continuous feedback, which is essential for improving internal processes and encouraging more dynamic and informed team development. On the other hand, defining an Artificial Intelligence policy has provided us with a clear, responsible, and future-oriented framework, which we are already implementing. The results achieved are invaluable: tangible, immediately applicable and the fruit of a professional collaboration that has proved not only useful but also extremely stimulating. We are truly grateful to the professionals  who have worked with us. 

What has been the most enriching aspect of this initiative for your organisation, and what future prospects do you see thanks to this experience?

The most enriching aspect of the initiative has been the ongoing dialogue with professionals from different sectors and with diverse expertise, who are able to provide not only their experience, but also an open, analytical and deeply solution-oriented approach. We have been able to benefit from contributions of high scientific value and operational guidance truly tailored to our needs. This experience leaves us with a sounder future outlook: a clearer vision of priorities, a greater awareness of our potential, and a growth path that we can now undertake with more mature tools and a valuable network.