Advancing the Worldwise Alumni Network

This question was at the heart of our discussions at the EiM WAAB Conference in Seoul last week. Over two days, I sat with alumni leaders to reflect on the unique challenges our alumni face and to develop a strategy that takes the Worldwise Alumni Network (WAN) to the next level—one where we can truly embody the spirit of "together, anywhere."
 

Many of us in the network haven't followed a traditional path. Growing up moving between cultures, I often found it difficult to identify clear role models, mentors, or examples of what college and career choices could look like. Even answering a simple question like "Where are you from?" could feel disorienting at times.

At the conference, these feelings resurfaced as I listened to alumni share their stories. One alum described taking a leap of faith to study in Korea without ever having been there before, driven by a passion for the culture and language. Another spoke about returning to Seoul for military service, navigating unexpected challenges but also gaining new perspectives on what home means. Others shared their experiences of settling in Seoul after years of moving between countries or because their families were based there.
 

Transitions can be deeply personal and, at times, isolating. They require us to redefine belonging, rebuild identity, and navigate spaces where there isn't always a clear roadmap. That's why our strategy is built on two key principles:

• Consistency – Ensuring alumni can rely on familiar support systems—mentorship, career panels, and regional connections—wherever they are.
• Flexibility – Allowing alumni to engage in ways that matter most to them, whether it's reconnecting with schoolmates, seeking professional guidance, or simply feeling understood in a community that shares their experiences.

A structure of school and regional representatives helps anchor this vision, ensuring that no matter where life takes an alum, they have touchpoints to support them. For example, someone moving from Beijing to New York might reach out to their school network for familiarity and connect with the regional team for professional opportunities.
 

The experience was incredibly humbling. Sitting in that room with alumni who have demonstrated such courage and resilience, I was reminded of how much I've gained from listening to others' journeys. It's a privilege to work alongside leaders who care deeply about building a network that reflects the diversity of its members and evolves to meet their needs.

This strategy isn't a final answer—it's just the beginning.

EiM's Worldwise Alumni Network (WAN) is a dynamic network that connects alumni from across the entire EiM family of schools and allows them to be together, anywhere. It extends our Worldwise commitment beyond graduation by offering holistic development opportunities including personal and professional community building, mentorship, professional opportunities, service and giving. WAN is the first, if only, truly global alumni network that was created by alumni, for alumni, including both former students and parents. As part of the unique EiM network, the Worldwise Alumni Network is one of the only cohesive alumni networks that brings together alumni from across different schools with unique opportunities and offerings worldwide that are hyper-relevant for the needs of our alumni.
 

Our own alumni are instrumental in the direction and success of the network. The Worldwise Alumni Advisory Board (WAAB) is a group of EiM alumni leaders, acting as the strategic backbone of WAN, providing governance, resources, and guidance to strengthen global alumni initiatives and leadership.