Launching ‘Morehead-Cain Alumni Journeys’
A significant highlight of the 2023–2024 academic year was the introduction of Morehead-Cain Alumni Journeys. This initiative aims to enrich our community through shared, intergenerational travel experiences.
In October 2023, Morehead-Cains embarked on a memorable journey to Rome, Italy. The trip featured exclusive Morehead-Cain moments, including alumni-hosted cocktail and dinner parties and a visit to a villa and farm estate owned by an alumnus. Participants also benefited from pre-trip learning opportunities, including webinars with Morehead-Cain experts.
In spring 2024, another alumni cohort went on a Civil Rights tour of the South, led by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch ’68. Reflections from this tour highlight how these shared experiences deepen our connections and broaden our understanding of history.
Building connections at regional alumni events, coffee chats
This year, more than 300 alumni attended Morehead-Cain Regional Events in fourteen cities throughout the United States and Canada. These gatherings were hosted by alumni spanning five decades from the 1970s to the 2020s. Forty-four alumni came together at the 2024 West Coast Symposium to support one another and current scholars in navigating the theme of personal and professional change.
Our coffee chat series also flourished for its second year, offering scholars the chance to engage with alumni from various backgrounds and career paths. In fall 2023, we hosted events featuring women entrepreneurs, young alumni, and members of the Black Alumni Working Group, fostering valuable conversations and connections.
Expanding mentorship and engagement
Mentorship continues to be a cornerstone of our Program. We saw ninety-one alumni participate in the Morehead-Cain Mentoring Program this year, providing guidance and support to rising juniors and seniors. Many others met with finalists in their city to offer insights and encouragement. Alumni also participated in progress conversations, providing guidance to scholars midway through their Morehead-Cain and Carolina experiences.
We extend our gratitude to the more than 450 alumni who played an instrumental role in our selection process. Your commitment is crucial in identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Welcoming New Leadership
In January 2024, we announced Jesse Soloff ’08 as vice president of community. As we celebrate the legacy of Vice President Megan Mazzocchi, who will retire in January after forty years of dedicated service, we look forward to the exciting new opportunities and initiatives that Jesse and our evolving team will bring to life.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on this year's achievements, we look forward to reconnecting with you at the 2025 Morehead-Cain Alumni Forum in Chapel Hill next fall, and our 2025 Alumni Journey to Santa Fe. Your continued engagement and support are vital as we strive to enhance leadership development within and beyond the Morehead-Cain community.
Together, we are building a lifelong community that connects leaders across generations and makes a lasting impact.
“Hassan [Kingsberry ’01] has supported my professional and personal growth throughout my journey at UNC–Chapel Hill. To have someone who is really standing behind you and pushing you to do great things has made this go from an alumni network to a family.”
Kendall Leigh, mentee | Class of 2025
Scholars Connecting with Alumni Through Stories
The Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team is an extracurricular program and internship run by our marketing and communications team. Scholars of all class years collaborate to produce multimedia content on the topics and issues they’re passionate about. From entrepreneurship and documentaries to nonprofits and university leadership, the Scholar Media Team featured alumni across industries and disciplines to share their insights and stories of triumph, failure, and growth.
The Catalyze podcast: Patton McDowell ’89 of PMA Nonprofit Leadership on the strategies that empower change makers in philanthropy
Patton McDowell ’89 is the founder and president of PMA Nonprofit Leadership. The firm provides…
Morehead-Cain Mentor Andrea Stumpf ’84 on taking an ‘exploratory approach’ to mentorship
Written by Cate Miller ’25, Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team For Andrea Stumpf ’84, serving as…
Morehead-Cain Mentor David von Storch ’80: ‘Experiencing failure frees you up to succeed’
Written by Cate Miller ’25, Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team When Morehead-Cain asked David von Storch…
Charting Paths
Jennifer Lloyd ’94 was been appointed to the UNC Board of Trustees. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the University’s South Building on August 21, 2023.
Lloyd, nominated by the North Carolina House of Representatives, is an investor and businesswoman who lives in Chapel Hill. The alumna moved to North Carolina in 2020 after 22 years in the San Francisco Bay Area.
