CALC 2024 took place on February 23-25, 2024 in Baltimore, MD. Stay tuned for more information on CALC 2025!

Friday, February 23, 2024

  • Friday will begin with engaging board meetings and the opportunity to explore Baltimore during exciting tours. First-time attendees can join a fun and interactive networking session designed just for them. The afternoon features the energetic CALC kickoff, inspiring speakers, and a vibrant networking reception where you can connect with Cornell's dynamic community. There's also designated time for enjoyable class and affinity group meetings.

  • Explore with Cornell: Optional Tours

    🎟️ The Baltimore Museum of Industry

    8:30 - 11:30 a.m. ET

    The Baltimore Museum of Industry celebrates Maryland’s industrial legacy and shows how innovation fuels ongoing progress. Their exhibitions, educational programs, and collections engage visitors in the stories of the people who built Baltimore and those who shape the region’s future.Participants will receive a behind the scenes guided tour of the Cannery that will include team building opportunities and exercises. The remaining time will be spent in a self-guided tour of the museum.

    • Tour capacity: 40 people
    • Tour type: Self-guided tour
    • Price: $20 per person
    • Meet: Bus transportation will be provided to and from the museum. Please meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 7:45 a.m. as the bus will depart by 8 a.m.
    • Learn more about The Baltimore Museum of Industry

     

    🎟️ The Walters Art Museum

    10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET

    Currently sold out
    The Walters Art Museum collection spans seven millennia of art from cultures across the world. The museum’s staff collaborates to make the collection accessible to the public through installations, special exhibitions, publications, and programs. The Walters has the third-oldest conservation lab in the country and is world-renowned for its conservation treatment and technical research of objects, manuscripts and works of art on paper, and paintings. The museum’s campus includes five historic buildings and 36,000 art objects. Moving through the museum’s galleries, visitors encounter a stunning array of objects, from 19th-century paintings of French country and city life to Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and images of the Buddha.

    • Tour capacity: 30 people
    • Tour type: Self-guided tour
    • Price: All tours at the Walters Art Museum are free.
    • Meet: Bus transportation will be provided to and from the museum. Please meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 10:15 a.m.
    • Learn more about The Walters Art Museum

     

    🎟️ The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture

    11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

    Currently sold out
    The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is the authentic voice of African American art, history and culture in Maryland. Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Lewis celebrates the significant accomplishments and struggles of African Americans throughout 400 years of Maryland’s history. Through the groundbreaking exhibitions, permanent collection and timely programs and events, they are bridging the gap between the past and present.

     

    🎟️ The National Aquarium

    11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET

    The nonprofit National Aquarium opened on August 8, 1981, the jewel of Baltimore City's Inner Harbor redevelopment. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top three aquariums and as Maryland's largest paid tourist attraction, featuring thousands of fishes, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals living in award-winning habitats.The National Aquarium builds on its rich history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting aquatic and marine life alongside human communities.

    • Tour capacity: 30 people
    • Tour type: Self-guided tour
    • Price: $39.95 per person
    • Meet: Attendees will meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 11:15 a.m. to walk to the aquarium together, about a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel.
    • Learn more about the National Aquarium

    Please note: To be included in Cornell’s tickets block, all tickets must be purchased in advance. Refunds cannot be provided after the CALC registration cancellation deadline, which is Tuesday, February 13.

  • 💼 Board Meetings

    Please note: Registration for the following board meetings will be handled by the respective groups.

    Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council (FSAC)

    9:00 - 10:00 a.m. ET

    Location: Dover C, 3rd Floor
    For FSAC board members only.

    Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) Advisory Committee (C'AC)

    9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Waterview D, 1st Floor
    For C’AC board members only.

    Cornell Alumni Advisory Board Meeting (CAAB)

    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Salon 2, 3rd Floor
    For CAAB board members only.

    Cornell University Council (CUC) Administrative Board Meeting

    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Salon 7, 3rd Floor
    For CUC administrative board members only.

    Einhorn Center for Community Engagement Alumni Advisory Council

    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Chasseur, 3rd Floor
    For Einhorn Center Alumni Advisory Council members only.

    Cornell Association of Class Officers (CACO) Board Meeting

    10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Salon 10, 3rd Floor
    For CACO board members only.

    Cornellians Advisory Board Meeting

    12:15 - 1:45 p.m. ET

    Location: Bristol, 3rd Floor
    For Cornellians Advisory board members only.

  • 🌐 First Time Attendee Meet & Greet

    1:00 - 1:45 p.m. ET

    Location: Dover A/B
    First time attendees are invited to join Cornell staff and other alumni in an informal and interactive networking session. Get all your CALC questions answered and find out how to get the most out of your attendance and participation.

  • 🚀 CALC Kickoff and Welcome

    2:00 - 2:45 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    Welcome to CALC! We will kick off a few days of learning, discussions, presentations, networking, and a whole lot of FUN! This interactive session will highlight Cornellians doing the greatest good within their communities and beyond.
    Speakers:

  • 📢 Leading Through Innovation: Concurrent Opportunities

    3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 1-4
    Featured Session: Unboxing Humans: Unlock the Extraordinary Talent Hidden on Your Team
    In life, we’re often put in boxes, labeled by job titles, volunteer roles, life stages, and more. This siloing limits talent development and inhibits organizations of all types from leveraging the full knowledge, skill-sets, and innovation in their workforces and teams. Only by unboxing humans, and tapping into what makes every individual unique (and weird!) can employees, managers, volunteer leaders, and organizations all win together. In this session, learn how to look beneath the surface of your team members (at work, in your volunteer group, at home) to effectively leverage their talent. Through an interest-first approach, you’ll walk away with practical tools to attract and retain great volunteers and employees, turn unconscious bias into conscious action, and align the right people to the right work.

     

    Other Engagement Opportunities during this Time-slot:
    Location: 3rd Floor

    • Career Exploration in Action: Partner up with Cornell Career Services experts and executive coach Lisa Rangel '92 for personalized LinkedIn and CUeLINKS profile reviews (don't forget to bring your own device!). Forge connections with fellow attendees and use our conversation starters to kick off meaningful discussions.
    • Check Out the Career Corner: Get a complimentary professional portrait photograph, share invaluable career advice for current students, snag some Cornell swag, and much more!
    • Join Forces for a Cornellian Cause: Connect with others and contribute to the CALC service project to make a positive impact.
  • 📢 Campus Climate Conversation

    4:15 - 4:45 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    Speakers:

  • 📢 Leading Through Challenging Times

    4:45 - 5:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    Discover the role of leadership in building successful organizations during challenging times. Learn about strategies that instill confidence, offer clarity, and foster a sense of team unity. You'll expand your knowledge and understanding of the key leadership skills required for success in today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world with a former leader of the United States Army.

    • Speaker: General George W. Casey Jr., Distinguished Senior Lecturer of Leadership, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, SC Johnson College of Business
  • 🤝 Networking Reception

    5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

    Location: Grand Foyer West
    End the first day of CALC recapping sessions and what you learned with other attendees. Meet up with your Cornell connections and make new ones in a relaxed atmosphere. Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be available.

  • Optional Activities

    6:30 p.m.

    Group meetings and dinner on your own. Check out the Other events happening around CALC section for more details!

Saturday, February 24, 2024

  • Saturday morning begins with breakfast, during which we will announce this year's Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award and hear from university leaders who will highlight the student experience. The day will be filled with concurrent sessions where you can enhance your leadership skills across a wide range of topics. Additionally, designated time will be allocated for class and affinity group meetings.

  • Saturday Breakfast: Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award and the Student and Campus Life Feature

    7:45 - 9:30 a.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award Presentation
    We’ll present the Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award, recognizing recent alumni who have provided exemplary service to Cornell and the world. Check out this year's award winners!

    From Field to Fields: How Athletics Prepares Leaders in Work and Life
    Former and current Big Red Athletes take the stage to discuss how Cornell Athletics influences the leaders they are today. Hear about their journeys, lessons learned, how sports experiences translate into daily life, and more. Dr. Nicki Moore, The Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, will share insights on Cornell’s “winning and wellness” philosophy and moderate the discussion.
    Speakers:

    • Alex Karwoski '12, US Men’s Rowing Team; Instructor, Peloton (Men’s Rowing)
    • Dr. Nicki Moore, The Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education
    • Sydney Moore '24, Arts & Sciences, Volleyball athlete, Co-President of Women of Color Athletics (WOCA), Named one of Glamour Magazine’s Women Athletes of the Year
    • JC Tretter '13, retired NFL player; President, NFL Players Association (Football)
    • Margaux Viola '07, Director of Growth at Compass; Founder, Cornell Women's Athletics Network (Women’s Lacrosse)
  • 📢 Concurrent Sessions: Leadership Expertise I

    9:45 - 10:45 a.m. ET

    Session Option I: AI Essentials for Alumni Leaders: Enhancing Engagement and Elevating Personal Brands
    Location: Salons 1-4
    Join Liz Ngonzi, MMH '98, a renowned expert in AI for Impact, for an engaging and interactive session at the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference. "AI Essentials for Alumni Leaders: Enhancing Engagement and Elevating Personal Brands" is a one-hour presentation designed to unpack the power of AI in fostering meaningful alumni relations and leadership roles.

    This session offers a deep dive into how AI can be innovatively utilized to enhance alumni interactions, stakeholder engagement, and personal branding efforts. Experience a live demo showcasing practical AI tools that streamline communication, personalize outreach, and make event planning more efficient. Discover how AI can also be a catalyst in elevating your professional brand in the digital arena.
    Speaker: Liz Ngonzi MMH '98, Founder / CEO of The International Social Impact Institute

    Benefits of Participation:

    • AI for Impact Insight: Gain insights from a leading expert in applying AI for social and organizational impact.
    • Interactive AI Demo: Witness AI tools in action, offering a practical understanding of their applications in alumni relations.
    • Enhanced Engagement Techniques: Learn innovative AI strategies to create meaningful connections with alumni and stakeholders.
    • AI-Driven Branding: Explore how AI can empower your personal professional brand and networking strategies.
    • Hands-On Learning Experience: Engage in an interactive environment with opportunities for hands-on exploration and Q&A.

    Session Option II: Say It Skillfully® Be Who You Are and Say What Needs To Be Said
    Location: Salons 7-10
    Regardless of role or level, one of the biggest opportunities for professional development and what could be considered the single most impactful area of growth is—effective communication. Whether in your day job or as a Cornell volunteer, the ability to authentically say what needs to be said (not what others want to hear) is imperative to doing our best work, together. Join power communicator, leadership consultant and founder of Say It Skillfully® Molly Tschang '85, who will provide insights into what holds us back from speaking up and a simple framework to help you with your tough conversations. Don’t miss this interactive session to help you to find the words to speak up positively and productively on topics that matter most to you.

  • 📢 Concurrent Sessions: Leadership Expertise II

    11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

    Session Option I: Design Thinking + Design Doing: Turning Ideas into Impact for Your Life and Career
    Location: Salons 1-4
    Phones down, pens up! Join this interactive session where we will learn to apply the principles of design thinking to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities. You will walk away inspired, with an action plan and practical tools for applying creative problem-solving to your life, career, and volunteering that you can use every time you face a challenge. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, this session promises to be a memorable blend of entertainment, learning, and creative inspiration!

    Session Option II: Leadership Development: The Importance of Self-Awareness
    Location: Salons 7-10
    Many leadership development resources (books, conferences, training programs) offer prescriptive approaches to developing leadership skills and abilities. However, leadership is often very contextual and individual development needs can vary widely. In this session, we’ll discuss what really matters in effective leadership, and explore the logic behind the expression “self-awareness before self-improvement”. We will also explore tools that you can use to enhance your own self-awareness as you consider your professional/leadership development journey.

  • 🍴 Saturday Lunch

    12:15 - 1:45 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    Join us for lunch and our featured guest speaker, Justin Berk '95!

    • Justin Berk '95, President and Owner, Just In Weather; President and Co-Founder, Just In Power Kids; Founder, The Maryland Trek
    • Jennifer Taylor '99, President, Cornell Club of Maryland
  • 📢 Concurrent Sessions: Leadership Lessons from Cornell

    2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

    Session Option I: Influence Unveiled: Cornellians Navigating the Social Media Landscape
    Location: Salons 1-4
    Join us for a captivating panel discussion that delves into the dynamic world of social media influencers by exploring their impact and strategies across three major platforms – TikTok, Podcasts, and Instagram. As these platforms continue to shape and redefine digital communication, the panelists will share insights, experiences, and best practices for navigating these unique storytelling landscapes. You’ll also learn how these Cornellians have leveraged their social media presence for maximum reach and how they find inspiration to be a leader shaping the social media culture.
    Speakers:

    Session Option II: Leveraging Volunteerism in Your Professional Lives
    Location: Salons 7-10
    Explore the interconnectedness of volunteer service, skill development and career advancement through Cornell opportunities. There’s a volunteer pathway for every Cornellian no matter the stage of life. We will provide insights and strategies to leverage your passion for making a difference for your alma mater. You’ll also discover the art of highlighting your volunteer contributions in resumes, interviews, and online professional profiles by emphasizing the valuable skills and perspectives that you gained through service to Cornell.
    Speakers:

  • 📢 Concurrent Sessions: Leadership Lessons from Cornell II

    3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

    Session Option I: Champions of Change: Empowering Volunteers in Fundraising
    Location: Salons 1-4
    Learn how to multiply your impact with Cornell University's annual fund volunteers. These class and university leaders will share the stories behind their choice to support and uplift the university. Gain valuable insights, learn effective strategies, and be part of a conversation that celebrates the profound impact volunteers can have in shaping a brighter future for any organization.
    Speakers:

    • Eric Beane '93, Los Angeles Regional Campaign Committee
    • Laura Dake Roche '81, Annual Fund Leadership Committee, Class of 1981 Fundraising efforts
    • Paul Hayre '91, Moderator, Boston Regional Campaign Committee
    • Dana Lerner '14, 2014 Reunion Campaign Committee Chair and Annual Fund Representative
    • John Kuo '85, Immediate Past Chair of CUC, San Francisco Regional Campaign Committee

    Session Option II: Mastering Leadership through Military Experiences
    Location: Salons 7-10
    This panel discussion will highlight military and veteran alumni sharing leadership lessons gained from their military service, which can be used to bolster alumni volunteer communities. You will also hear from current Cornell Military Network (CMN) board members about their own volunteer journeys, including how they became an engaged volunteer and encourage other alumni to become involved.
    Speakers:

    • LCDR Nieva M. S. Brock '87, JAGC, USN (RET) 1995 - 2015
    • Captain Robert Patrick Callahan '14, US Army 2014-2023; Army Reserve, 2023-present
    • LCDR Brian Pickerall '82, USN Surface Warfare Officer 1982 - 1992
    • Moderator: SSG Seamus Murphy '17 (Army) 2005 - 2012
  • ⚡ Keynote: Impression (Mis)Management

    4:30 - 5:25 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    Övül Sezer, Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, Nolan School of Hotel Administration, SC Johnson College of Business Scientist and a stand–up comedian who observes life with science, wonder and humor. Her research focuses on Impression (Mis)Management—the mistakes we make when we want to impress others. We all think we know how to make a positive impression, and we can easily spot the mistakes others make, but when it comes to our own missteps, we tend to be blithely oblivious. Sezer identifies these mistakes and investigates how we can better navigate our social world.

  • 🎉 Closing Celebration and Alma Mater

    5:25 - 5:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Salons 5/6
    We will close our enlightening conference with one final reflection on the insightful contributions of our speakers and the multitude of engagement opportunities for participants.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

  • Many alumni communities will choose to host events or meetings at this time. Feel free to explore Baltimore on your own or check with the concierge for additional ideas. Sunday will offer one-on-one time to meet with select staff during office hours. We will update that information and share it as we can.

Career Corner

  • Visit the Career Corner throughout the conference! Featuring:

    • Complimentary professional headshots (time TBA)
    • CUeLINKS sign-up station and profile creation
    • Individual 10-minute LinkedIn & CUeLINKS profile reviews (BYO device: phone, laptop, tablet). Lead by Cornell Career Services and Lisa Rangel '92
    • Student postcard writing - share your professional advice with current students
    • + more to come!

    Career Corner hours:

    • Friday, February 23, 9:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. ET
    • Saturday, February 24, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET

    Profile review hours:

    • Friday, February 23, 9:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. ET
    • Saturday, February 24, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m; 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
    • Or drop in the 15 minutes between sessions!

Other events happening around CALC

  • These events are independently organized by attendees and are not affiliated with the official conference. If you plan to host an event during CALC, such as a dinner or get-together, and would like it to be featured on the website, please let us know.

    Quill & Dagger Gathering at CALC 2024

    Friday, February 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Courtyard Marriott Downtown/Inner Harbor, 1000 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore
    All Quill and Dagger members welcome (students, alumni, honorary members--whether attending the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference, PCCW Symposium, or located in the Baltimore area). Learn more and register here.

    Sorority and Fraternity Life Reception

    Friday, February 23, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Room: Dover A & B
    Sorority and fraternity members are invited to gather and hear from SCL leadership.

    Meet Up to Catch Up with ILR

    Friday, February 23, 6:45 p.m. ET

    Location: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Apropoe’s
    End the first day of CALC with fellow ILR alumni for a drink and conversation. After the formal events are completed on Friday, meet Amanda Bezon MILR '93, at 6:45pm at the Marriott's bar/restaurant, Apropoe's.

    AAP in Baltimore

    Friday, February 23, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Ministry of Brewing, 1900 E. Lombard St., Baltimore
    All AAP alumni are invited to a networking reception hosted by Ernst Valery B.S. URS '00, M.P.A. '01 and David Wendell B.S. CALS '00, M.S. '02, co-founders of Ministry of Brewing. Catch up with classmates, connect with new friends, and learn about AAP's affordability initiative. Learn more and register here.

    Cornell Classes of the 70's Reception in Baltimore

    Friday, February 23, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Pratt Street Ale House, 206 West Pratt Street, Baltimore
    Join classes of the 1970's at a reception at the Baltimore's oldest brewpub, just blocks from the Inner Harbor. Learn more and register here.

    Library Meet-Up

    Friday, February 23, 8:00 - 9:15 p.m. ET

    Join fellow lovers of Cornell University Library at the hotel bar and learn about what is new in the Library from the Carl A. Kroch University Librarian, Elaine Westbrooks. Look for Library Meet-Up Signage.

    Young Alumni After Hours In Honor of the Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Awards

    Friday, February 23, 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET.

    Location: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, The Raven Room
    We invite Classes of 2014 - 2023 to a young alumni after hours in honor of the Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award recipients. Learn more and register here.

    Regional Club Volunteer Meet-Up

    Saturday, February 24, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. ET

    Gather with regional club volunteers and staff at the hotel bar to mingle and chat about what’s happening in your area. Look for the Regional Club Volunteer Meet-Up signage!