Everyone at the School of Public Policy would like to share our gratitude for those of our alumni who volunteered with us in 2023-24. This year alumni answered questions at careers panels, spoke at public policy seminars, shared your experiences with prospective students, and served as student mentors for the second year running – all of this, and much more, makes an incredible difference to our students and the wider SPP community.
Members of our community share their testimonials below about their experiences with our alumni volunteers:
"The SPP mentorship program presented me with the opportunity to give back to the LSE community, but also, with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on my own experience at LSE and career journey. My discussions with my mentee, a bright and driven graduate student, were enriching and rewarding. I am certainly interested in returning to the program and encourage my fellow alumni to consider this opportunity." – Menan Omar (MPA, 2012)
"During this year, a range of MPP alumni have helped us with online offer holder sessions for the MPP programme, and sharing their valuable advice and insight into the programme. The offer holders found this so useful, and as staff we were grateful to have them involved and engaging with the programme. Thanks to Pedro Hepp, Kershlin Krishna, Rose Martersteck and Neha Awasthi for your help this year!" - Sarah Massey (Marketing and Student Experience Administrator)
"Being part of the alumni mentorship programme was an incredibly valuable experience. Having the chance to connect with an alum who is walking the talk and facing the challenges we talk about in the classrooms was a great learning experience. I am very grateful for Leon Wong’s insights and guidance which helped me plan my next steps." – Soumya Dixit (current student)
"Alumni volunteers give back to LSE - and to public policy. Through mentoring and contributing they build the community and impact the LSE is known for." - Professor Alexander Evans (Associate Dean for Strategic Development at the SPP)
"I feel really lucky to have had Sebastian Gallego as my mentor. From the very beginning, he was always supportive, encouraging, and genuinely interested in helping me grow. We met several times throughout the program, and every time he shared practical advice, helpful tips, and honest insights about building a career. He was someone I could really talk to.
He connected me with professionals working in the field I want to get into, which was incredibly valuable. One of my favorite moments was when he invited me to the Sky Garden, located in the building where his office is. It was such a kind and memorable experience, and it showed how much he cared beyond just the formal mentor role. I’m really grateful for everything he’s done and for the impact this mentorship has had on me." – Zeytuna Sultanzade (current student)
"The SPP mentoring program is a unique opportunity for three main reasons: You gain access to your mentor's network of contacts and guidance, it gives you a glimpse into what your next job might look like, and it generates a sense of belonging to the school, not only for the students but also for the alumni they are mentoring." – Anonymous (student participant of the mentorship programme)
"A huge thank you to MPP alumni Yshabella Reyes, Sidhartha Tibrewal, Rudrashish Sinha, Amor Wong, and Stefano Bacigalupo for their brilliant contributions to the MPP Careers Impact Day in October 2024. Their honest reflections and relatable insights as an alumni panel helped current MPP students connect with the realities of graduate transitions and added real depth to the day. Building on the morning’s activities, this panel was a vital part of helping students grow their career capital - complementing the tools and resources I’d covered in the morning by offering lived experience and inspiration from those who’ve been through it." - Barnaby Mollett (Careers Education Manager)
"The mentorship programme is a fantastic initiative that helps new students engage with all the opportunities the SPP has to offer. My mentor, Rodrigo Rios, provided valuable tips that enriched both my academic experience and my life in London. He also helped me connect with people and organisations relevant to my career." – Andrea Vega Talledo (current student)
"Our alumni are a core part of the SPP story. Their generosity – in sharing their experience, offering encouragement, and most importantly, giving their time – makes a real difference to our students. Whether through mentoring, guest talks, or creating connections, we are deeply appreciative of their contributions. Thank you for being such an active and inspiring part of what we do." – James Deeley (SPP Department Manager)
"The SPP would not be the SPP without our alumni. An enormous part of our vibrant School community comes from the connections that last long after graduation – our alumni give up their time to support academic research projects, speak at student events, provide one-on-one mentorship for students, and share career advice with one another. Thanks to all of our volunteers for making the SPP such a wonderful place." – Professor Andrés Velasco (Dean of the SPP)
Find out about our 2023-24 volunteers here
Are you interested in volunteering with the School of Public Policy? Just get in touch at spp.alumni@lse.ac.uk if you are interested in finding out more about supporting our community.