The Heller School is pleased to announce the new leaders of the Alumni Association Board, including Farhat Jilalbhoy, MA SID’14, who will be serving as the next president. Since joining the Heller community in 2012, she has stayed actively involved as an alumna and member of the Alumni Association Board. In addition to her professional experience in philanthropy and nonprofit strategy, Farhat brings to this role an enthusiasm for Heller and supporting fellow graduates that has resulted in connections across the world.
Tell me a little bit about the work you’ve done since you left Heller.
Since graduating from Heller, my career has unfolded in three interconnected ways—strategy, programs and philanthropy—all rooted in social impact. I've worked in strategic roles, most recently as the Senior Director of Strategy in the Office of the President at Save the Children U.S. and also as a consultant. I've led and supported programs at organizations like Catholic Relief Services, and I've had the privilege of working in philanthropy, first at the Rockefeller Foundation and now at the Fidelity Foundation.
How has your Heller experience shaped the trajectory of your career?
At Heller, I earned my Master’s in Sustainable International Development, but I also took many MBA courses because I was deeply interested in how strategy and operations intersect with mission-driven work. In classes with professors like Carole Carlson I discovered tools and frameworks that can help organizations be sustainable and impactful.
Beyond the classroom, my classmates have been instrumental—they come from across the world, representing different countries, sectors and life experiences. Collaborating on projects and late-night conversations taught me how to ask good questions and be open to different perspectives. This is something I’ve carried with me into different leadership roles. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about asking the right questions and learning to work together across differences.
Throughout my career, I’ve continuously leaned on the Heller network, whether it’s been for grounding advice or insight into a new region or a sector as I’ve switched careers. Wherever I go in the world, I find Heller alumni who are doing meaningful work and who remind me why I chose this path.
What do you hope to bring to the table as the new president?
This is a time of uncertainty and transformation in the social impact space. I hope to bring a sense of support, possibility and connection to our alumni community. I want us to see the opportunities that exist beyond traditional paths—and to recognize how the skills we gained at Heller, both hard and soft, are incredibly transferable.
I'm also excited to work alongside my fellow alumni board members, including Co-Vice Presidents Laura Alpert and Anupama Sharma, to strengthen our alumni network. I want Heller to continue to feel like home for alumni and new graduates—a place that celebrates your wins and supports you through challenges.
I hope to encourage alumni to stay connected, to give back in whatever way they can, and to continue learning from one another. Support can take many forms. It’s not only financial—it could be mentoring, sharing your career journeys, offering internships or job leads, or simply being a sounding board. Together, we can keep the Heller spirit alive—rooted in justice, driven by impact, and open to change.
Farhat is joined by the newly-elected Co-Vice Presidents of the Board, Laura Alpert ’96, MM’98, and Anupama Sharma, MS GHPM’08.
As board members for the last three years, they are grateful to support the board in their new leadership roles.
“I’m honored to serve as co-Vice President and excited to partner with Anupama and Farhat to engage and empower the Heller community. While many of us are experiencing extraordinary challenges, Heller faculty, staff, students and alumni have met challenging moments time after time,” says Laura. “I’m committed to collaborating with our community to stay true to our values, support each other, and make a difference. From student and alumni engagement and experience, to networking and connecting worldwide, supporting career exploration and searches, offering encouragement, and celebrating successes, we are here for you.”
Anupama says, “I am honored to serve as co-Vice President of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management Alumni Association Board. Grateful for the opportunities Heller has given me, I am eager to give back to the community that shaped me. Heller taught us to lead with compassion, inclusivity and purpose — values I carry every day. In this role, I look forward to strengthening alumni engagement and building bridges with current students through mentorship, networking and shared learning. Together, we can inspire the next generation of changemakers and amplify Heller’s impact, especially in a world facing urgent social, economic and environmental challenges.”