12 Finalists Named for Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Regional Startup World Cup
Top Venture Will Represent Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs at Global Finale for $1 Million Prize

Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs (HAE) is proud to announce the 12 startup finalists selected to compete in the Harvard Regional Startup World Cup, taking place on September 12 , 2025, at the Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School. The winner of the Regional will go on to represent our community at the Startup World Cup Global Finale in San Francisco, where a $1 million investment prize is at stake.

The finalists were selected from a highly competitive pool of 120 applicants from 20 countries. Over several rounds of judging, including live pitch sessions, the ventures were evaluated on innovation, scalability, market traction, and founder strength. Each finalist is founded or co-founded by a Harvard alum and reflects the university’s deep commitment to global impact and entrepreneurial excellence.

Rich Cox Braden and Tessa Forshaw are launching their co-authored a new book: Innovation‑ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World.

As a design educator and cognitive scientist, this book stems directly from my doctoral and postdoctoral work at HGSE, and teaching Innovation for the last several years at the Harvard Extension School and Innovation Lab. It centers on research-backed tools that help educators, leaders, and learners navigate real-world complexity, even if they don’t see themselves as “creative.” 

The book launches September 3rd and has already been nominated for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year, with strong early endorsements

You can learn more at www.innovationish.com, where it is also available for pre-order.

“For a clear and data-driven approach to build your innovative skillset with confidence, you won’t find a better book than Innovation-ish by Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw.”
—Martin Lindstrom, New York Times bestselling author of Buyology and one of TIME Magazine’s World’s 100 Most Influential People

“Innovation-ish is an actionable playbook for every aspiring innovator. Its frameworks will help you succeed because they capture how real people solve real problems.”
—Stefanos Zenios, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Braden and Forshaw draw on research and real-world experience to equip readers with accessible strategies for learning, leading, and adapting with purpose and vision. They skillfully blend fresh ideas and personal agency into a practical guide, making innovation accessible to everyone from students to policymakers. At a time when educational systems are navigating deep complexity.”
—Nonie K. Lesaux, Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education

Harvard's Global Day of Service welcomes the Class of 2029 to a vibrant culture that promotes civic engagement across the greater Harvard community!  Please save the date for Friday, August 29th if you would like to volunteer!  All class years (including alums and grad students) are welcome to sign up as volunteers - click here to register!

The Global Day of Service is open to the greater Harvard community (all students, staff, faculty, and alums). Projects include helping local schools get ready for the upcoming school year; organizing supply drives; developing lesson plans, resource guides, and curriculum; conducting voter registration drives; organizing social media campaigns, and working on multimedia and technical projects. Site assignments will vary between locally based projects in the Greater Boston area and all access projects that will be hosted remotely for volunteers to join from around the world. All of the all access projects will have a designed campus hangout space for volunteers to connect with one another.  Learn more at: https://publicservice.fas.harvard.edu/globaldayofservice

Around the world, the relationship between academic freedom and politics is shifting. Attacks by government administrations on universities like Harvard are spurring a global dialogue around what is “academic freedom” and the role it should play. Join us for a panel discussion with experts within higher education to explore the responsibilities of scholars, researchers, and students to safeguard the integrity of academic freedom and meet new challenges in a meaningful way. Join to hear from guest speakers, Dr. Chankseliani , Dr. CK Noble , Dr. Karma Chavez and Professor Sakil Malik.

Thursday, August 28th, 5-6PM EST

¡Felicidades y bienvenidos! The Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance officially welcomes the South-Central Texas (SCT) regional leadership!  Join us as we appreciate you forwarding our announcement to your membership to RSVP as we celebrate the inaugural establishment of the:

 Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance South Central Texas

4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, August 21, 2025

Sabor Cocinabar San Antonio, TX 78212

RSVP by August 18th: https://forms.gle/Lw43kRQk5n5V39Z76

We are inspired to see our alumni network continue to grow with leaders who are deeply committed to advancing collaboration, representation, and visibility for our Latino community within and beyond Harvard. 

¡Hasta pronto!

Join Harvard Alumni for Education (HAED) for a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Siya Raj Purohit, a leading voice at the intersection of education, technology, and the future of work.

Siya is an education leader, author of Engineering America, and part of the Education Team at OpenAI, where she supports the expansion of ChatGPT Edu across higher education and K-12 institutions. Her journey spans roles at Udacity, Springboard, GSV Ventures, and AWS, giving her a unique vantage point on how AI is reshaping learning and career pathways.

In this webinar, we’ll explore:
How hundreds of universities and school districts are using ChatGPT Edu
How professors are reimagining curriculum and assignments in the AI era
What students need to know about the evolving future of work

Don’t miss this chance to hear from a trailblazer helping shape the future of learning at OpenAI.

 Date: August 14, 2025
 Time: 6:00 PM EST
 Hosted by Paty Vazquez, Gustavo Rojas, and Erik Ramírez from Harvard Alumni for Education (HAED)
 Open to educators, students, researchers, and anyone passionate about the future of education.

Register now and be part of the conversation that’s defining tomorrow’s classrooms

Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 5-6 pm Eastern, Race and Disability: Intersections and Identities, register at https://lnkd.in/gPmvVMDm

Webinar Invitation: Designing Democratic Learning Environments: What Schools Can Do? 

- June 5, 2025 , 6:00 PM EST 

- Hosted by Harvard Alumni for Education (HAED) Latin America Chapter 

How do we design schools that truly embody democracy—not just in name, but in everyday practice? 

Join us for a powerful and inspiring conversation with Dr. Linda Nathan, a nationally recognized educator, thought leader, and author of the open-access book "Designing Democratic Schools and Learning Environments: A Global Perspective." Drawing on her decades of experience as a founding headmaster of the Boston Arts Academy and faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Dr. Nathan will guide us through the essential question: What can schools do to foster democratic values in a deeply unequal world? 

In this webinar, we’ll explore: 

- A global perspective on democratic learning environments 

- Real-world case studies and concept schools that model democracy in action 

- A practical framework of four key pillars that can guide the transformation of schools: 

- Open flow of ideas and choices - Equity as essential to quality 

- Collective engagement for the common good - Community collaboration to solve societal challenges. 

Whether you're a school leader, educator, policymaker, or student, this conversation will offer strategies, insights, and inspiration to rethink how schools can serve as vibrant, inclusive spaces for democratic living and learning. The event is free and open to the public. 

Register now and join us in imagining what’s possible when schools lead with democracy at the center:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/4itgOpkCQJ2giJl31t1ifg 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

2025 Meet Up on June 3rd. 

Harvard Alumni for Education's Meet-Up, on June 6th, 2025 from 3-5 pm EST

Sign Up: Each One Teach One – A Harvard HAEd Meet-Up

We’re excited to extend this invitation for you to participate in this year’s "Each One Teach One"—a unique Harvard meet-up where YOU take center stage.

This is your chance to introduce yourself and share your passions, questions, and focus within the broad field of education. Whether you have ideas to support students, thoughts on events you’d love to see happen, or simply a desire to learn more—even if you’re not currently in the education field—you’ll be in the right place.

Space is limited and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to sign up early to reserve your spot.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at HAEdBoston@gmail.com.
Sign up below:

Come ready to share a best practice, insight, or just feel free to share about ideas you have for our SIG as well as pre-packaged, non-perishable tasty snacks and drinks. This is an informal occasion, where we're expecting no more than 50 people. And it's your time to SHINE, learn, connect and enjoy this time hearing from other members - sure to be memorable!  For more info visit our at https://www.harvardaed.org/

Link: https://bit.ly/HAEd-Meet2025

Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 5-6 pm Eastern, Race and Leadership: Leveraging Lived Experience, register at https://cutt.ly/HDDLeader

Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 5-6 pm Eastern, Race and Sexuality: Queering Color, register at https://cutt.ly/Pride25

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 5-6 pm Eastern, Race and Codeswitching: Cultural Enactments, register at https://lnkd.in/gvUKH-dF

Join us for a global walk! On April 27th, HAEd members will be walking together to explore the meaning of character and how to promote character education. A larger event will be held in Victoria, Australia.

Prof. Isabela Granic will present on “Human Transformation in a time of Metacrisis”

• Time/date: Online April 11th at 8-8:45pm ET (this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5607901945)

  We face a metacrisis: a set of profound, escalating and interconnected crises - social polarization, ecological breakdown, growing inequality, and a meaning crisis - whose source lie in core views and values at the roots of our civilization. It demands an integrated vision of transformation in education systems: K-12, higher education and adult development. Pioneers across academia, activism and organizing, politics, technology, and religion recognize that solutions require not just systemic change but also cultivating inner change through a Second Renaissance of wisdom-based societal transformation. Join us to explore these topics, practice together and build community!

• Keywords: Education, Fourishing, Metacrisis, Developmental Psychology, Spirituality

Join us for a presentation about current life and education in Ukraine, three years after the start of the Ukraine-Russian full-scale war.

When: Mar 25, 2025- 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)/ 17:00 PM (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Register in advance for this virtual presentation:

https://harvardalumni.zoom.us/meeting/register/JOqBhLS2TSCUvm2qP0_BwA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Event Details
Date: Tuesday March 25th
Time: 12 Noon AEDT (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane)
Venue: Zoom (link to be shared via email before the event)
Registration: Click here to book
Speaker: Michelle Jungmin Bang (MBA 2005)
Moderator: Justin Fung (MBA 2006), President, Harvard Club of Victoria

Join us for an inspiring and transformative discussion with Radha Ruparell, Head of the Global Leadership Accelerator at Teach For All, where she leads groundbreaking work in growing collective leadership across 60+ countries to reshape education systems globally.  

Radha is a global leader passionate about leadership development and personal transformation. With experience working alongside CEOs, Fortune 500 executives, social entrepreneurs, and grassroots leaders, her vision is to empower diverse changemakers to collaborate and drive systemic change.  

This event will explore: 

- Radha’s key learnings from leading the development of collective leadership in the education sector 

- Her vision for the future of education  

- Actionable insights for leaders seeking to inspire collaboration and transformation  

About Radha Ruparell: 

Radha holds a dual Master’s degree from Harvard University and brings her adventurous, growth-driven spirit to every endeavor. From navigating silent meditations to learning to surf, her curiosity and drive to explore make her a true innovator. 

About Collective Leadership:  

- Rebuilding Trust Through Collective Leadership – Diplomatic Courier: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/rebuilding-trust-through-collective-leadership

- Radha Ruparell’s Book: https://bravenowbook.  

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radharuparell

- The Missing Piece Report from Teach For All: https://teachforall.org/MissingPieceReport 

Event Details:  

- Date: March 13th, 2025

- Time: 6:00 PM EST  

- Register at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Cm7sJoCtSIm7BMNXrmwuCw

https://harvardalumni.zoom.us/meeting/register/-08xK3FQQVWf9z4bzGDUzA

https://www.diadelcientifiquito.org/

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Join us for a webinar with Dr. Emiliana Vegas, professor of practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). She will present her new book, “Let’s Change the World, How to Work with International Organizations to Make a Difference.”  She will speak from her research and practice focus on improving educational opportunities in developing countries. 

Professor Vegas earned a doctor of education degree from HGSE, a master's of public policy degree from Duke University, and a bachelor's degree in communications from the Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas, Venezuela. Before returning to HGSE, Dr. Vegas was co-director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings. Before Brookings, she was chief of the Inter-American Development Bank's Education Division, overseeing the Bank's lending operations and technical assistance projects throughout Latin America and Caribbean countries. Before joining the IDB, she spent over ten years at the World Bank, leading research and operations on education systems in various low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Vegas has written extensively on issues affecting education systems in Latin America, the Caribbean, and other developing regions. Her academic papers and books cover topics including policies to leverage technology to accelerate learning and skills development, raising teacher effectiveness, school finance policies, and early childhood development policies.

Learn more at: https://www.emilianavegas.com/

Register at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/jQHVdb1-S0myZuFWG6Pi-A

Join us for a webinar on the findings of a global study on international careers and academia with a focus in North America and Western Europe. Speakers will discuss several possible courses of action with a holistic perspective for academia and scholars.

Speakers: Professor C.K. Noble and Professor Emerita Sonja A. Sackman

Learn more at https://www.sparksreadings.com/webinar-2025-haed/

Register at bit.ly/HAEdFeb62025

Organized by Jenny Korn (MPP '98), Curtis Valentine (MPP '08), Maryam Sharrieff (HDS '08), Lisa Khan (EDM '06), Darold Cuba (MPA '21), Shana DeVlieger (EdM '18), Eve McCloud, and Harold Lewis (AB '85)

Thursday, January 9, 2025, 5-6 pm Eastern, register at https://cutt.ly/RaceGenderEd

This Harvard Diversity Discussion is hosted by the Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance (H4A), Harvard South Asian Alumni Alliance (HSAAA), Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance (HLAA), Native American Alumni of Harvard University (NAAHU), Harvard Kennedy School Black Alumni Association (HKS BAA), Harvard Kennedy School Women's Network (HKSWN), Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association (HKSNEAA), Harvard Business School Asian American Alumni Association (HBS AAAA), Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women (ANHW), Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association (HBSAAA), Harvard Kennedy School Chicago Area Alumni (HKS-Chicago), Harvard Alumni for Black Advancement (HABA), Harvard Kennedy School New York Alumni Network (HKS-NY), Harvard Alumni for Education (HAEd), and Harvard Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for topics for future Harvard Diversity Discussions, please contact digital@haaaa.net.

Organized by Jenny Korn (MPP '98), Derrick Lewis (AB '78), Casey Lartigue (ALB '89 EDM '91), Darold Cuba (MPA '21), and Harold Lewis (AB '85)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 5-6 pm Eastern, register at https://cutt.ly/RaceResponse

This Harvard Diversity Discussion is hosted by the Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance (H4A), Harvard South Asian Alumni Alliance (HSAAA), Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance (HLAA), Native American Alumni of Harvard University (NAAHU), Harvard Kennedy School Black Alumni Association (HKS BAA), Harvard Kennedy School Women's Network (HKSWN), Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association (HKSNEAA), Harvard Business School Asian American Alumni Association (HBS AAAA), Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women (ANHW), Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association (HBSAAA), Harvard Kennedy School Chicago Area Alumni (HKS-Chicago), Harvard Alumni for Black Advancement (HABA), Harvard Kennedy School New York Alumni Network (HKS-NY), Harvard Alumni for Education (HAEd), and Harvard Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for topics for future Harvard Diversity Discussions, please contact digital@haaaa.net.

As we wrap up 2024, join us for an annual virtual SIG event! You’ll learn more about our regions, meet our leaders and other SIG members, and play some holiday-themed games with prizes.

We hope to see you there! Register at bit.ly/HAEd2024Meeting

¿Cómo educar a la niñez y la juventud para construir y practicar la democracia? La relación entre la calidad de las democracias y las actitudes de las y los ciudadanos se ha estudiado desde diferentes perspectivas, sin embargo, el libro que detona la reflexión (“Designing democratic schools and learning environment: a global perspective”) presenta novedosas experiencias (y reflexiones a partir de estas) en que los diseños escolares y educativos han contribuido a mejorar contextos locales en todo el mundo, a partir del ejercicio de la equidad, la participación y la libertad. Participan en este diálogo una de las autoras del libro en cuestión, así como dos de sus editores, que serán acompañados por tres mujeres expertas en el estudio y la praxis educativa en México y el mundo. Así, en un contexto internacional de erosión democrática y de embates directos contra ésta desde diferentes frentes, la conformación de esta mesa permitirá reflexionar en torno al rol de la educación, - sus prácticas y diseños-, como medio para formar y fortalecer la cultura política democrática de niñas, niños, adolescentes y jóvenes.

Registro: https://fil-pensamiento.udg.mx/es/agenda/jm5z2s04jlmkff5okflgjp5p

Hotel Barceló, Salón México II, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.

Please join Harvard alumni and Seattle University alumni for a pre-holiday party hosted by Knudsen Vineyards!

Knudsen Vineyards is an iconic vineyard in the heart of the acclaimed Dundee Hills AVA overlooking the fertile Willamette Valley, majestic Mt. Hood, and the North Cascade mountain range.  The Knudsen family has grown grapes and made wine here for over 50 years.

Click here to Register

Knudsen Vineyards Wine Tasting Reception & Pre-Holiday Party

Thursday, December 5, 2024

6:00pm - 8:00pm PT

Cost:

  $40.00 per person Members and their guests

  $100.00 per person Non-Members and their guests

  Space is limited.

Become a member here

Seattle University

Capitol Hill neighborhood

Exact location will be emailed 2 days before

to registered alumni and guests

Easy access to public transportation

Seattle University Visitor Parking info and locations

https://www.seattleu.edu/transportation/parking/visitor-parking/

Hosted by Page Knudsen Cowles, MBA 1983, Co-owner and Managing Partner of Knudsen Vineyards

Questions: Carlos Obando, MBA 1983, Harvard Alumni for Education

We look forward to seeing you at our event!

Click here to Register

Organized by Jenny Korn (MPP '98), Chi Lee (ALM '22), T. Lyn Zheng, Mable Chan (AM '93), Roland Tan (AB '97), Maryam Sharrieff (HDS '08), Lisa Khan (EDM '06), Darold Cuba (MPA '21), and Eve McCloud

Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 6-7 pm Eastern [note: 6 pm start time], register at https://cutt.ly/RacePecking

This Harvard Diversity Discussion is hosted by the Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance (H4A), Harvard South Asian Alumni Alliance (HSAAA), Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance (HLAA), Native American Alumni of Harvard University (NAAHU), Harvard Kennedy School Black Alumni Association (HKS BAA), Harvard Kennedy School Women's Network (HKSWN), Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association (HKSNEAA), Harvard Business School Asian American Alumni Association (HBS AAAA), Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women (ANHW), Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association (HBSAAA), Harvard Kennedy School Chicago Area Alumni (HKS-Chicago), Harvard Alumni for Black Advancement (HABA), Harvard Kennedy School New York Alumni Network (HKS-NY), Harvard Alumni for Education (HAEd), and Harvard Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for topics for future Harvard Diversity Discussions, please contact digital@haaaa.net.

Join HAEd and MAGE for the annual Symposium on Gifted Education. This event includes an exceptional lineup of speakers and sessions focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in gifted education.

Register here! HAEd members can also use the code HAEd24 for a $95 discount.

Join us for an engaging conversation about global experiences of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational settings. The event will be held at 16:00 hrs Chile time (GMT-03), with corresponding times for Ecuador at 14:00 (GMT-05) and Mexico at 13:00 (GMT-06).

This event will be held in Spanish with simultaneous translation to English. Register here!