Connecting Leaders

Thriving Through Intergenerational Connections

Morehead-Cain Alumni continually engage with and enhance the Program through mentorship, job opportunities, and internships; their expertise and guidance; and philanthropic support. Morehead-Cains are part of a lifelong community that impacts those around them and beyond.

In 2022–2023, Morehead-Cain Alumni connected with one another and with current scholars through various community-building programs and events.

Ninth Triennial Morehead-Cain Alumni Forum

In October 2022, more than 600 alumni, scholars, and friends attended the ninth triennial Forum—celebrating 25+ years after Forum founder Brad Ives ’86 conceived of the idea. Brian Strong ’00 and Madhu Vulimiri ’14 served as the Forum co-chairs, and Janora McDuffie ’99 engaged guests as the emcee. The keynote address for the alumni dinner was delivered by Jerry Blackwell ’84. The weekend included two days of SEVEN Talks, featuring alumni from every decade and two scholar speakers.

Watch the highlight video and SEVEN Talks >

 

Regional Alumni Events and Coffee Chats

The Regional Alumni Gatherings were in full swing in 2022–2023. More than 300 alumni attended a Regional Alumni Event in fifteen cities in the United States and Canada. Alumni hosts for the events spanned across six decades, from the 1970s to the 2020s.

The new “coffee chat” event offered scholars the opportunity to connect with groups of alumni from various backgrounds and career pathways. Two coffee chats were held in Winter 2022, featuring Morehead-Cain Alumni in the sports industry and those who were UNC student body presidents.

View event photos on Facebook >

 

Morehead-Cain Mentoring Program

Each year, rising junior and senior scholars are invited to join the Mentoring Program and be matched with an alumni mentor based on the scholar’s interests and needs. From giving and receiving expert advice to engaging in lifelong learning, scholars and alumni benefit greatly from participating in the program.

In 2022–2023, 100 mentorship connections were made through the program, providing structure and support to these relationships so that they can develop based on shared values and interests.

Learn more about the Mentoring Program >

 

Follow-up Alumni Survey with BCG

In February 2023, more than 600 alumni responded to the Morehead-Cain Alumni Survey, administered through the generosity of Mike Deimler ’86 and his pro bono team at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The survey was a follow-up to a 2017 BCG survey, which made the case for deeper investment in alumni activities. The survey highlights a diverse, engaged community of alumni—and many opportunities for continued advancement of the Foundation’s work.

Learn about the four key takeaways and next steps >

“Taylor [Molina ’25] does a really great job in our sessions of asking, “Well, why?” Being a mentor has forced me to stop, slow down, and think about why I’ve made certain decisions in my life or why I’m offering Taylor this kind of advice.”
  • Rafael Martin, mentor
  • Class of 1991

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 climate activists and investing experts to politicians and farmers, the Scholar Media Team featured alumni across industries and disciplines to share their insights and stories of triumph, failure, and growth.

July 12
The Catalyze podcast

Brad Rathgeber ’01, CEO of One Schoolhouse, on a relationships-first approach to online learning



Read More >
July 26
The Catalyze podcast

On the story behind the Chauvin trial as special prosecutor, with Jerry Blackwell ’84


Read More >
July 27
Civic Collaboration spotlight


Buff Grace ’91, director of faith networks for Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, on the surprising but powerful duo of faith and climate justice


Read More >
1_The Catalyze podcast_Brad Rathgeber ’01, CEO of One Schoolhouse, on a relationships-first approach to online learning, with scholar host Benny Klein ’24
2_The Catalyze podcast_Federal judge nominee Jerry Blackwell ’84 on the story behind the Chauvin trial as special prosecutor
3_Civic Collaboration spotlight_ Buff Grace ’91, director of faith networks for Minnesota Interfaith Power _ Light, on the surprising but powerful duo of faith and climate justice
October 10

What to know about pickleball ahead of the Alumni Forum

From the scholar team of ‘Traveling Picklers’

Read More >
October 10

Looking back on past Forums and the people that made them possible

With co-founder Brad Ives ’86

Read More >
4_What to know about pickleball ahead of the Alumni Forum, from the scholar team of ‘Traveling Picklers’
5_Looking back on past Forums and the people that made them possible, with co-founder Brad Ives ’86
November 7

Chelsea Phipps ’13, EU policy consultant for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation


On her passion for international development and moving abroad to London

Read More >
November 10
COP27 Week: Four strategies to hold corporations accountable on climate change


With Kathy Mulvey ’88 of the Union of Concerned Scientists


Read More >
November 15
The Catalyze podcast


How a ‘national genome’ can reinforce social inequality, with Emily Vasquez ’06, ethnographer of science, medicine, and public health


Read More >
November 21
Dicle Kara ’16 on working abroad in Germany, ditching ‘hustle culture’
November 29
Building wealth for youth of color, one club at a time


With Bob Wynn ’76 of CLIMB

Read More >
6_Chelsea Phipps ’13, EU policy consultant for the Bill _ Melinda Gates Foundation, on her passion for international development and moving abroad to London
7_COP27 Week_Four strategies to hold corporations accountable on climate change, with Kathy Mulvey ’88 of the Union of Concerned Scientist
8_The Catalyze podcast_How a ‘national genome’ can reinforce social inequality, with Emily Vasquez ’06, ethnographer of science, medicine, and public health
9_Dicle Kara ’16 on working abroad in Germany, ditching ‘hustle culture’
11_Building wealth for youth of color, one club at a time, with Bob Wynn ’76 of CLIMB
December 9

Three lessons from alumni on service, compromise, and resilience to close out 2022
December 9

What to expect in a post–Inflation Reduction Act economy


According to Morehead-Cain Alumni Experts

Read More >
12_Three lessons from alumni on service, compromise, and resilience to close out 2022
13_What to expect in a post–Inflation Reduction Act economy, according to Morehead-Cain Alumni Experts
January 24
The Catalyze podcast


David Price ’61 retires from Congress after more than three decades of service to North Carolina’s fourth district

Read More >
14_The Catalyze podcast_ David Price ’61 retires from Congress after more than three decades of service to North Carolina’s fourth district
February 7

James Ellsmoor ’16 CEO of Island Innovation and 2017 Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ Honoree


On the importance of renewable energy and the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship

Read More >
February 17

Amy Woff ’17 of Major League Soccer on turning an escape into a profession

February 21
The Catalyze podcast


How sports entrepreneurship can cultivate social change, with Steven Aldrich ’91, chair of the Oakland Roots Sports Club and former chief product officer of GoDaddy

Read More >
15_James Ellsmoor ’16, CEO of Island Innovation and 2017 Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ Honoree, on the importance of renewable energy and the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship
16_Amy Woff ’17 of Major League Soccer on turning an escape into a profession
17_The Catalyze podcast_How sports entrepreneurship can cultivate social change, with Steven Aldrich ’91, chair of the Oakland Roots Sports Club and former chief product officer of GoDaddy
March 27

Finding a ‘thought partner’ through the Morehead-Cain Mentoring Program 


Caroline Lowery ’16 and Naomi Burns ’23

Read More >
18_Finding a ‘thought partner’ through the Morehead-Cain Mentoring Program_Caroline Lowery ’16 and Naomi Burns ’23
April 11

Alumni Spotlight: Daina Bray ’98 of Yale Law School 


Bray answers seven questions about her career in animal law, activism, and frog dissections 


Read More >
April 21

Miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina, Pt. 3


Carolyn Roff Henry ’87 of Tryon Mountain Farms

Read More >
19_Alumni Spotlight_Daina Bray ’98 of Yale Law School answers seven questions about her career in animal law, activism, and frog dissections
20_The Catalyze podcast_Three-part miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina, featuring Carolyn Roff Henry ’87 of Tryon Mountain Farms
May 15
Seven alumni, seven decades


Lessons from a reunion of former UNC–Chapel Hill student body presidents

Read More >
21_Seven alumni, seven decades_Lessons from a reunion of former UNC–Chapel Hill student body presidents
June 27

The Catalyze podcast


From the dugout to the boardroom: Bobby Evans ’91 and his path to becoming general manager of the San Francisco Giants

Read More >
22_The Catalyze podcast_From the dugout to the boardroom_Bobby Evans ’91 and his path to becoming general manager of the San Francisco Giants