Leave Your Mark: the supervisor's key role in collaborating with non-profits

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. It is an opportunity to generate impact, share expertise and build a fairer and more inclusive society. In this interview, Simona Valdani, Product Manager at POLIMI GSoM, talks about her experience as a supervisor, playing a key role in facilitating collaboration between alumni and third-sector organisations.

What prompted you to participate in Leave Your Mark as a supervisor, and what did you expect from this experience?

I decided to participate in Leave Your Mark for the second year running because I believe that this project represents a real opportunity to make a difference as a Business School and generate a real impact on the non-profit organisations supported by our alumni. My choice also stems from a personal preference, given my strong interest in the non-profit world.
For the Leave Your Mark project, I acted as a supervisor, helping to facilitate communication between the institution and alumni and coordinating the organisation of the work.

What were the most significant moments of your involvement in the project and what kind of impact did you see generated, both for the  organisation being supported  and for the participants?

I was committed to being a "bridge" between the institution and the alumni, taking care of organising meetings and sharing materials useful for the activities. I was also a point of reference for our alumni, especially in the initial phase, when it was necessary to explore the institution’s needs in order to see how best to structure and organise the work.

How has this experience enriched your career and personal journey?

It was an enriching experience on a personal level, because it allowed me to get to know a small association that I hadn't previously encountered and to connect with passionate professionals. From a professional perspective, however, spending time on a project which was different from the usual, and making my skills available in new contexts, was both stimulating and rewarding.