Merry, Merry Christmas
About this Event
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Yes, it is early to be talking about Christmas, but we are starting now! An evening like this deserves time to prepare, and we wanted it in your diary well ahead.
For one evening in December, alumni from many schools will gather in one room, as one community. We are delighted to invite you, together with your partners, spouses and friends, to Merry, Merry Christmas: an evening of conversation, dinner and giving, shared by the alumni communities of leading international universities and business schools.
Coming Together Across Schools
This year’s celebration brings together alumni of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Columbia University and Columbia Business School, the Nova Network of US Schools, and the University of Pennsylvania and its Wharton School, and more.
We studied in different places, yet we share more than we might think: a commitment to academic excellence, a curiosity that did not end at graduation, friendships that last, and the wish to make a positive difference beyond our own careers. Christmas feels like the right moment to celebrate all of this together, and to put it to good use.
An Evening of Conversation, Dinner and Giving
We will open with a conversation with Enzo Manes on “The power of doing well by doing good”. Enzo is an entrepreneur and the founder of Intek Group. He is also the founder of the Dynamo Foundation, the venture philanthropy foundation behind Dynamo Camp, which offers recreational therapy to children living with serious illnesses. Few people are better placed to speak about a theme so close to the spirit of the evening.
Dinner follows, with plenty of time to catch up with old friends, meet alumni from other schools and discover how much our communities have in common. The night then turns to a lively charity auction, which we expect to be one of its most enjoyable moments, and the heart of our fundraising.
A Cause That Matters
The evening is held in honour of Alastair Robertson, a devoted HBS volunteer who welcomed alumni at HBS events from 2017 through the end of 2025.
Any net proceeds will support the Alastair Shooting Star Fund, created to focus on youth suicide prevention. The Fund also works towards the creation of a specialised clinic built around a dedicated “last chance” methodology. You can learn more about its work at www.alastairshootingstar.org.
The Charity Auction: Our Greatest Contribution to the Fund
Ticket proceeds alone will contribute only modestly to the Fund. The charity auction is where we can make the real difference, and we are counting on you to make it happen.
Do you have an experience that could make someone’s year? We ask every alumnus and friend to consider donating one, as the success of the auction, and therefore the impact of the evening, depends on the experiences you offer. We are gathering memorable experiences from across our communities, with ideas ranging from spa days or treatments, hotel or wine-estate stays and tastings, special dinners, private museum visits and art classes, to meetings with interesting people and lessons with sports masters. Let your imagination run wild.
To donate an experience, please contact Juliana Zinger at [email protected]. Every experience donated directly increases what we can give to the Fund: please contribute.
Event Details
📅 Thursday, 10 December 2026
🕖 19:00–23:00
📍 Old De Amicis Cinema, Via De Amicis 36, Milan
Tickets and Guests
Tickets are €100 per person and include the conversation with Enzo Manes, dinner and the charity auction. After covering the costs of the evening, any net proceeds will support the Alastair Shooting Star Fund. Partners, spouses, friends and other guests are warmly welcome. Each attendee needs an individual ticket, so please register every member of your party.
Join Us
Bring your partner, bring your friends, and come ready to meet the wider alumni family. We can think of no better way to open the Christmas season: good conversation, good company and a cause that deserves our support.
We very much hope to see you all there!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
EUR 100.00
