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NC State’s Graduate Net Impact chapter achieves Gold Chapter Standing

The NC State Net Impact chapter, based in the Poole College of Management, was awarded gold standing for its achievements in the past academic year. Among its goals for the coming academic year is to help to establish an undergraduate Net Impact chapter at NC State.

Sixteen percent of the 300 volunteer-led Net Impact chapters achieved the prestigious gold standing for their activities last year. Net Impact has over 50,000 student and professional leaders across the globe working toward a sustainable future through their volunteer-led chapters.

"The 2014 gold and silver chapters are true leaders on campus and in their communities," said Liz Maw, chief executive officer of Net Impact. "They are empowering their peers to create positive social and environmental change every day and leading the way to a more sustainable future."

Chapters achieve gold standing by meeting a rigorous set of requirements based on their activities, programming, membership reach and network contribution.

During the 2013-14 academic year, NC State’s graduate Net Impact chapter provided a broad range of events and resources focusing on educating NC State students across campus about the power of business to drive social and environmental change and connecting students with a range of career opportunities in sustainable business.

Leadership for the chapter in the past year was provided by Lynn Clark (MBA ’14), vice president of university and external relations; Allan Carr (JD/MBA ’15) vice president of graduate membership and career development; Kyle Barth (BS ’14), vice president of undergraduate membership and career development; Lauren Wright (MBA ‘14), vice president of marketing; Nicholas Mullen (MBA ’14), vice president of finance; and Aude Baylet (MGIM-Global Luxury Management ’14), vice president of events.

“NC State's Graduate Net Impact chapter was the perfect avenue to build the skill set and network to make a difference in both the business world and in my community,” Clark said. “Serving on the Net Impact leadership team was one of the hallmarks of my MBA student experience. It was such a great opportunity to be able to interact and learn one-on-one with leading industry executives at the cutting edge of the sustainability frontier.”

The chapter’s flagship program was a series of Lunch & Learn roundtable discussions with students and local sustainability experts. Lunch & Learn presenters included Maria Kingery, chief executive officer and co-founder of Southern Energy Management; Kal Trinkner with EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services group; and Jacob Traverse, AgBiotech Enterprise and Technology Development Director at the NC Biotech Center. The chapter also co-hosted an Industry Speaker Series featuring leading sustainability executives from around the country, in partnership with the NC State Poole College Sustainability Initiative.

"Joining Net Impact gave me invaluable opportunities to meet industry representatives and learn about careers focused on sustainability. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to interact with Riva Krut, vice president and chief sustainability officer for Praxair during one of our Industry Speaker Series talks. I look forward to taking a leadership role in Net Impact next year and helping our chapter grow and thrive,” said Giese (MBA ’15), a member of the incoming leadership team.

The NC State Graduate Net Impact chapter is already continuing its momentum for the coming year. The chapter is planning a survey for incoming and current students to gather information about student interests and needs to better develop innovative programming.

In addition to Giese, the incoming leadership team for the graduate chapter includes Liz Bowen (MBA ’16), Mike Maher (MBA ’15), and Kayla Erney (MBA ’15). The graduate chapter is also supporting the launch of an undergraduate chapter with Kadesha White (BS ’15) and Marlen Traber (BS ’15) serving as co-presidents.

“I chose to get involved with the Net Impact Chapter because I believe in the focus on addressing social and environmental issues. I look forward to learning even more about sustainable business practices and continuing the positive work of Net Impact,” White said. “We are convinced that younger people care about sustainability and are interested in getting involved. I’m happy to be part of the team starting a chapter for undergraduates," Traber said.

Gold chapters are recognized publicly within the Net Impact network through the Net Impact blog and Leading Business newsletter, at the Net Impact conference, and in the annual Business as UNusual guide to graduate programs.

Globally, the Net Impact network this past year provided over 2,477 local events worldwide and over 144 programs that allow members to positively impact their communities, of which gold chapters contributed 968 events and 70 programs. Gold chapters also strengthened the overall network through regional collaboration, mentoring other chapters and sharing successful ideas with their peers.

About Net Impact:

Net Impact is a leading nonprofit that empowers a new generation to use their careers to drive transformational change in the workplace and the world. At the heart of this community are over 50,000 student and professional leaders from over 300 volunteer-led chapters across the globe working for a sustainable future. Together, they make a net impact that transforms their lives, their organizations, and the world.

About the NC State Net Impact Chapter:

The NC State Net Impact chapter is one of the 300+ global chapters around the world working for a sustainable future. The chapter’s members are a new generation of leaders transforming the world through the work they do on campus, in their communities and on the job. The NC State chapter connects members with like-minded people, innovative ideas, and change-making programs that can transform the members and their world. To learn more, view the chapter's website, send an email message or follow them on Twitter or Facebook at Net Impact NCSU.