The Economists' Society: Director of External Relations

I’m Vatsala, and this year I’ve been a First Year Representative in External Relations. The role has given me a clear, hands‑on understanding of how sponsorship outreach and speaker engagement work. I contacted firms myself, learned what they look for, and even brought in a senior executive for a panel through a personal connection. That showed me how powerful our networks can be when we use them well.

We did face challenges with sponsorship this year because of technical delays on our side. Firms were interested, but the process slowed things down. As Director, I want to fix that. My priority would be creating a smoother, more reliable sponsorship pipeline; clear communication, and a system that keeps firms engaged rather than losing momentum.

If you choose me for this role, I want to broaden the range of speakers we bring in. Finance will always be important, but I’d love to add more voices from public policy, consulting, and research so members hear from people with different backgrounds and career paths. I’d also strengthen our sponsorship relationships by improving our pitch and reaching out to new organisations in a more targeted way.

Overall, I want External Relations to feel genuinely impactful: better events, more useful networking, and stronger links with firms. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the team this year, and I’d be excited to take on a bigger role. If you want someone organised, proactive, and ready to push things forward, I’d love your vote.

This past year as First Year Representative in External Relations has given me a real, hands-on understanding of how the society operates, from planning events to reaching out to sponsors. I know what works, and I'm ready to lead.

My background backs this up: deputy head of house, editor-in-chief of my school's economics magazine, investment management spring intern, and a private equity internship that involved extensive cold outreach. I know how to manage projects, communicate professionally, and get things done.

If elected, my focus is simple: deliver events people actually want to attend. I'd introduce a short member census at the start and throughout the year to make sure our efforts reflect what students genuinely want. I'd also push for joint events with other finance and economics societies to create broader networks, bigger attendance, and richer perspectives. And through my existing industry contacts, I'd work to bring in high-quality guest speakers and real networking opportunities.

I'm committed, well-prepared, and genuinely excited about making this a standout year for the society. Therefore, I'd be honoured to serve as your External Relations Division Leader.