Student/Alumni Quotes about CASE
Erin Langley (MBA 2005) "Before coming to Fuqua, I worked in the nonprofit sector. I decided to go to business school because I believed a strong understanding of business and management would allow me to add more value to the social sector. I became involved with CASE and Net Impact and found them to be outstanding sources of support as I worked to figure out how best to integrate my business education with my commitment to social change. This summer, I worked as a Marketing Intern at Bright Horizons Solutions for Families. Bright Horizons is the world’s leading provider of employer-sponsored child care and early education. I learned about the company at a CASE event at Fuqua and was thrilled to learn that this type of business model could work so well. The internship gave me a valuable opportunity to explore the field of social entrepreneurship while seeing first-hand how I could use my new business skills to make a difference."
Denise Malvehy (MBA 2005) "During my first year at Fuqua, I participated in a program called Fuqua on Board, which allows Fuqua students to be on the board of non-profit organizations in the Durham community. Through this experience, I worked with TROSA, a therapeutic community for recovering substance abusers that does wonderful things in the city of Durham. I was very excited to learn about the formation of the Social Impact Club, which is an over-arching organization for students interested in Social Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Community Involvement. As the community involvement chair for this year, I am planning (with the help of CASE and others), Fuqua’s first ever Day in Durham, a half day activity which includes lunch and keynote speaker Richard Furr, President of Central Carolina Bank, a business leader who is very involved in his community. This will be followed by visits to local non-profits, where Fuqua students will learn about some of Durham’s community-based organizations and how they can use their business skills to benefit the community."
Sarah Yellin (MBA 2005) "I have always been interested in the social sector, but didn’t know what that meant for me until I discovered social enterprise. Now I know I want to focus on working in/creating sustainable enterprises that are run like businesses, but perform a social good. Since coming to Fuqua, I have connected with other organizations and people who are interested in creating sustainable enterprises. My work with CASE has introduced me to many interesting business models, including KaBOOM!, where I did my summer internship. KaBOOM! is based on a fee-for-service model that pairs corporations and communities to build healthy playspaces for children. It gave me great insight into how a successful nonprofit continues to grow and strategize while maintaining sustainability and fulfilling its mission. And I felt good about my job every day!"
Jeff Jablow (MBA 2005) “After my experiences working and volunteering for nonprofit organizations in both South Africa and Boston, I came to Duke with a desire to learn more about and discover career opportunities within the social sector. CASE, and my classmates involved in CASE initiatives, have helped me on both fronts. In addition to participating in the Fuqua On Board program, my interactions with the CASE staff have helped expand my knowledge of the sector, while helping me to find career opportunities that align with my interests. Their depth of knowledge in this field and desire to work closely with interested students has made my experience at Duke extremely positive.”
Jill Homan (MBA 2006) "In a joint effort between Fuqua’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship, the Fuqua Social Impact Club, the Duke-Durham Partnership, and the West Chapel Hill Street Merchant’s Association, I was asked to lead a team of Fuqua students in developing a plan to revitalize West Chapel Hill Street. Working with this heavily traveled but under resourced part of Durham, I am able to apply knowledge from my coursework in, for example, finance and accounting, as I work on commercial real estate valuation. I also am developing leadership and project management skills. I am hopeful that the DDR team’s work will assist the Durham merchants and residents in turning around an underutilized business corridor."
Sheldon Ison (MBA 2005) "As an interim board member at Calvary Ministries of the Westend Community, Inc., I have assisted in revising the organization’s mission statement, focusing the strategic plan, and initiating a culinary arts program. The Fuqua on Board program has allowed me to contribute to a non-profit organization that performs a critical function in the Durham community."