During the first in-person meeting of the Association of Business School Alumni Professionals conference in three years, the Texas McCombs Alumni Relations team took home the award for Most Innovative New Initiative for its Board and Council Leader Exchange, which launched in 2021.

The Association is a national networking organization promoting excellence in alumni relations and service to alumni with exclusive membership to only the top 30 business schools in the country, as defined by the rankings of Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News and World Report. This year’s conference was held at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from July 11-14.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by the Association of Business School Alumni Professionals for the Most Innovative Initiative Award,” said Christine Burdell, Director of Alumni Relations for McCombs School of Business.

Honored for its ability to engage the Texas McCombs’ 26 alumni boards and councils, the Board and Council Leader Exchange provided an opportunity for board leaders to exchange ideas, create resources and continuing connections for members across the school. The Exchange had a 65% participation rate, with a virtual component drawing in 69% participation.

The McCombs Alumni Relations team previously won Most Improved Alumni Relations Initiative for 40 Hours for the Forty Acres and Most Innovative New Initiative for Texas 12 Dinners, both in 2016. There are only four award categories at each conference per year.

“We have learned so much from this (ABSAP) community and are very grateful to be a part of it,” Burdell said. “We hope that our program inspires other schools to engage their alumni in a similar way.”