Babson’s Alumni Network Is a Distinct Competitive Advantage

President

Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA'92, PhD

Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA‘92, PhD is the 14th president of Babson College. A successful entrepreneur, academic leader, and scholar, Dr. Spinelli assumed the role of president in July 2019, guiding the College through its centennial year and into its second century. Learn more about the President's Office.

April 8, 2026

President Spinelli poses for a portrait in front of Tomasso Hall

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I began my relationship with Babson as a part-time MBA student and was struck by the community’s aspirational nature. I learned that Babson is defined by people focused on making an impact on the world. Over the years, I have experienced this community in many roles, including as a student, faculty member, administrator, alumnus, and now president. That impact manifests as the creation of economic and social value.

As alumni, we understand that the value of a Babson degree lies in how it sharpens business judgment, responds to the real needs of the marketplace, and channels personal ambition into meaningful impact. Babson prepares us to recognize opportunities, navigate change, and create value in environments where agility and purpose matter. That preparation is reflected in The Wall Street Journal’s ranking of Babson as the No. 2 Best College in the United States. It also includes access to one of our most valuable assets: the Babson global alumni network, now more than 46,000 strong across 128 countries.

BABSON MAGAZINE: Read the complete Spring 2026 issue.

That network is a distinct competitive advantage. It reflects a mindset grounded in action, collaboration, and value creation. Last year, Babson was ranked No. 1 for alumni network strength by LinkedIn. For those of us within this community, that recognition affirms what we experience every day. Babson alumni respond, contribute, and invest in one another’s success.

I recently experienced the strength of this network at Babson Connect Worldwide 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, where nearly 200 members of the Babson community gathered from around the world. The engagement was inspiring. Conversations led quickly to ideas, and ideas to meaningful collaboration. There was a shared focus on learning, supporting, and advancing.

In this issue of Babson Magazine, we explore these connections in “The Bonds of Babson,” highlighting the many ways alumni support one another as co-founders, hiring managers, mentors, and friends.

This level of connectivity strengthens the College and extends its impact far beyond campus. It is a defining characteristic of Babson and a powerful platform for entrepreneurial leadership.

I am proud to be part of it.

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Tagged Alumni, Entrepreneurship Education, Babson Magazine