Who we are
The Microsoft Alumni Network is an impressive worldwide community
of alumni who share a common experience of having worked at Microsoft. Founded in 1995 by a few alumni who wanted to stay
connected, the Alumni Network today is a member organization representing more than 48,000 alumni in 54 countries. While
we are independent from Microsoft Corp., the company supports our mission through member benefits and program support.
We’re entrepreneurs, tech innovators, career professionals, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and lifelong learners.
We are managed and led by committed, talented people working as staff members, serving on our board, and volunteering their
time to support the Microsoft alumni community.
Our Vision & Mission
As with technology, the impossible is made possible
when all of the nodes in a network are connected. At the Alumni Network, we also believe that each alumna
and alumnus thrives when the whole community is connected.
We empower all Microsoft alumni to
do and achieve more while we keep you connected to all the things that they loved about working at Microsoft:
the technology, the intellectual curiosity, the social impact, and -- most importantly -- the people.
Our vision: Alumni can continue to make big, positive differences in the world by working
together and supporting each other.
Our mission: To inspire, support, and celebrate Microsoft
alumni so they may continue their success, find fulfillment, and positively impact the lives of others through
individual and collective giving.
What we do
Alumni take their passion out into the world and accomplish amazing things. They do this by applying what they learned at Microsoft, connecting with the people they worked with at Microsoft, and turning their passion towards solving new business problems, innovating new technology, and making positive social impact.
The Alumni Network strives to support the amazing alumni community by keeping you connected to the company and to each other.
We support alumni by:
• Partnering with Microsoft Corp. to deliver employee perks for alumni
• Curating news and information relevant to the alumni community
• Hosting informative and super fun events for alumni
• Scouring the globe for inspiring alumni stories to share
• Supporting alumni passion for giving and making positive social impact
From our Director
It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. Whether you're a longtime Microsoft Alumni Network member or a recent addition to our prestigious alumni community, we are thrilled to have you as a part of this exceptional network.
As a collective force of innovative minds, the Alumni Network is a testament to the incredible impact that each of you has had on the technology industry and beyond. Our community is a rich tapestry woven with diverse experiences, achievements, and a shared legacy of contributing to the success of one of the world's most iconic companies.
Maintaining ties with fellow trailblazers is not only enjoyable but also a strategic move ensuring your success beyond your current venture. In the spirit of fostering connections and collaboration, the Alumni Network is committed to providing a platform for you to reconnect with former colleagues, share insights, and engage in meaningful conversations. The network aims to be a hub for professional development, knowledge exchange, and lifelong friendships.
In 2011, I embarked on a new chapter, leaving the familiar halls of Microsoft to pursue my entrepreneurial aspirations.
The decision to start my own software startup was driven by the same passion for innovation that binds us all. It has been an
exhilarating journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, and I am proud to be part of a network that understands and embraces
the thrill of such endeavors.
As the new steward of the Alumni Network, my vision is to further strengthen the bonds that tie us together.
Our network is not just about perks and our shared history at Microsoft; it's about the collective future we are shaping through
our diverse ventures, be it startups, mentorship, or personal adventures.
I invite you to celebrate our successes, support each other through challenges, and continue to make a positive impact on the world.
Together, we are not just a network; we are a force driving innovation, collaboration, and lasting connections.
Here's to the next chapter and the exciting journey ahead.
Welcome to the Alumni Network!
Manuela Papadopol
The Microsoft Alumni Network Story
-
1995
In 1995, a small group of former Microsoft employees got together to create a member organization with the purpose of staying connected to each other. (This was way before social media and ubiquitous communications!). This group of 273 was called Alumnet and was one of the first formal corporate alumni programs.
Microsoft liked the idea and agreed to support Alumnet members by offering access to the Company store so alumni could purchase discounted software.
The first 10 years was about growing the community. As membership grew, so did the needs and interest of the alumni. Philanthropy become an important aspect of the Alumnet charter.
-
2006
In 2006, to better enable the philanthropy of the alumni community, Alumnet split into two distinct organizations.
- 1.The Microsoft Alumni Network, a membership-baseiframed group with the charter to support member benefits operationally, and
- 2.The Microsoft Alumni Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to support and celebrate the philanthropic work of the Microsoft Alumni community.
In 2009, the Alumni Foundation started the Integral Fellows grant program, later adding the Inspired Leaders program, and since has provided $1.5 million in grants to alumni led nonprofit organizations to recognize and support Microsoft alumni who are making a difference in the daily lives of others around the world.
-
2014
In 2014, the two organizations merged back together for operational efficiency and for clarity to the alumni community. The Alumni Foundation evolved into a Donor Advised Fund managed by the Seattle Foundation. The Alumni Network updated its charter to support the DAF with annual board-designated gifts from the profits of the Alumni Network operations.
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2019 and beyond…
Today, the Microsoft Alumni Network is made up of 48,000+ former employees in 54 countries. Our charter remains true to our founders’ purpose of staying connected to each other and to the company. Connections are not only about reminiscing about past years, connections are also critical to post-Microsoft success in careers, in business and in philanthropic pursuits.
Microsoft alumni are some of the brightest, most passionate people. The Alumni Network is one of the most impressive and influential networks of people who stay connected to all things they loved about working at Microsoft — the technology, the learning, the giving and most importantly the people.
