Investment Society: Alumni Relations

Hi everyone. My name is Alicja Pardała, and I'm running for Alumni Relations at the UCL Investment Society.

I believe the strongest societies are built on nurtured connections, dedication and pure vision. I bring real, proven experience in building personal, institutional and corporate relationships. 

• As First Year Representative for the UCL Investment Society, I was the leading contact for Alumni Relations, having organized the majority of our Alumni Series Webinars and played an active role in this year’s client relations outreach. 
• As Corporate Partnerships Representative for The Polish Student Societies Federation, I negotiated £14,000 worth of corporate partnerships and I am a Core Team Organizer of the Polish Business Forum. 
• As Head of Institutional Relations for the Private Equity Academy (Warsaw), I established 18 formal patronages, coordinating a 3-person team over 4 months and 140+ email threads. 

Apart from student organizations, I work as a Founders’ Associate within BESS investments at Mokosh Energy (Ex-McKinsey founded), where I am primarily involved in investor outreach, securing qualified business connections – a transferable skill, particularly relevant to this position.

I'm analytical, driven, and I follow through. If you want someone who will treat this role as a professional responsibility — not just a line on a CV — that's me. I'd be honoured to have your vote.

I am standing for Alumni Relations because I think one of the greatest strengths of the Investment Society is the network that exists beyond the university. Alumni represent a bridge between what members are learning now and the realities of the industry they hope to enter.

The role, to me, is about building relationships rather than simply organising occasional talks. A strong alumni network can create opportunities for insight, mentorship, and honest conversations about careers in finance. Hearing from people who were once in the same position as current members makes the path into the industry feel more tangible and grounded.

I would aim to strengthen these connections by maintaining consistent contact with alumni and encouraging them to stay engaged with the society. That could involve speaker events, smaller discussion sessions, or informal networking opportunities where members can learn directly from their experiences.

More broadly, I think alumni engagement helps give a society continuity. Each generation of students contributes something, and alumni connections allow that knowledge and experience to accumulate rather than disappear after graduation. If elected, I would focus on making those relationships stronger and more meaningful for both current members and alumni.

I am a second year Natural Sciences student studying Neuroscience alongside the Mathematics and Statistics stream. Alongside my degree I have developed a strong interest in finance and have enjoyed getting involved in societies that connect students with opportunities in the industry.

Over the past year I have been involved with the UCL Hedge Fund Society’s Equity Fund and recently won the Hedge Fund Society Equity Research Competition. Through experiences like these I have seen how valuable it is for students to learn from people who are already working in the industry.

If elected, I would focus on strengthening connections between the society and its alumni network. Alumni are a fantastic resource for students who want to understand different career paths in finance and gain insights into the industry.

I would aim to support events that allow members to hear from alumni, build connections and learn from their experiences. I would approach the role in a reliable and collaborative way and work closely with the committee to support the society’s activities.

The Investment Society has a long tradition of connecting students with professionals in the industry, and alumni engagement plays an important role in maintaining those connections.

Through my academic focus on economics and corporate finance as a BASc Arts and Sciences student, as well as my internship experience in finance and accounts, I have developed a strong interest in financial markets and investment. I also recognise how important it is for students to learn from professionals who have already navigated the early stages of careers in finance. 
In previous leadership roles within student-led initiatives, I have gained experience coordinating outreach and keeping in touch with external contacts. These experiences showed me how consistent communication and well-organised engagement help strengthen long-term professional relationships. As Alumni Relations officer, I would aim to support the society in maintaining strong connections with graduates by encouraging alumni participation in networking events, speaker sessions, and mentorship opportunities. I believe these relationships can provide valuable insight for students while also strengthening the society’s long-standing professional network. 

Ultimately, I am standing for this role because I would value the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of the Investment Society’s alumni relationships and help maintain the strong professional community it has built.