Where’s the CAO?: Why It’s Time to Add Chief Alumni Officer to the C-Suite
I’m known for asking questions that make people pause. The kind of questions that hang in the air long after the conversation has moved on. At the 2024 National Association Law Placement (NALP) Conference, I asked one of those questions.
Picture this: 30+ alumni directors, managers, and coordinators gathered for our annual dinner—a highlight of the conference. We’re all in the same boat: usually a team of one, tasked with building and running alumni programs for global firms. Over appetizers, I asked:
“Why don’t companies have a Chief Alumni Officer?”
Crickets.
No one had an answer. And that silence said everything.
That moment lit a fire in me. If no one else is going to advocate for this role, I will. Not just for myself, but for every alumni professional who’s been quietly driving business results without a seat at the table.
What Corporate Alumni Professionals Actually Do
Let’s break it down. Alumni directors are hired to build a “best in class” alumni program from scratch—often with nothing more than a spreadsheet of outdated email addresses. We’re trusted to create a program that:
- Re-engages former employees
- Builds brand ambassadors
- Drives boomerang hires
- Generates new business
We launch platforms, write newsletters, host numerous in-person events, and spotlight alumni achievements. We connect people to in-house jobs, invite them to speak at webinars, and track engagement metrics that show real ROI. After a few years, the results speak for themselves: new clients, returning talent, and stronger brand loyalty.
These aren’t soft metrics. These are KPIs.
The ROI Is Real
By year two or three, leadership starts to notice. Alumni are sending new business to the company and turning into clients. Former attorneys are returning as boomerangs. In-house job boards are helping place alumni in-house, creating new referral pipelines. And yet, the people behind these results are often left out of strategic conversations.
Why?
The C-Suite Is Evolving—So Should the Titles
We’ve seen the rise of the Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. These roles didn’t always exist—but now they’re essential. So why not a Chief Alumni Officer (CAO)?
In June 2025, I met with Emma Sinclair, CEO—and now CAO—of Enterprise Alumni. When I brought up the idea again, I wasn’t met with blank stares. Emma got it immediately. We’re now collaborating on a webinar titled, fittingly: “Where’s the CAO?”
From “Nice to Have” to Business Necessity
Alumni programs are no longer just a “nice to have.” They’re a competitive advantage. Law firms, financial institutions, healthcare systems, and consulting firms are all investing in alumni engagement—and seeing results.
In a perfect world, every global company would have a CAO. That CAO would lead a team including:
- An Alumni Manager
- A Career Development Manager
- A Data Specialist
- A Program Coordinator
With the right investment, the ROI is exponential. And giving alumni leaders a seat at the table signals that the company values long-term relationships—not just short-term results.
So… What’s Stopping You?
If you’re a decision-maker, ask yourself: Who’s managing your alumni relationships? Who’s turning former employees into future clients, advocates, and hires?
If the answer is “no one,” or “someone buried three levels down,” it’s time to rethink your org chart.
