At the September 2024 edition of the recently launched Bayes Alumni Connect series of networking events, four Bayes alumni shared what drives them to stay in touch with the School and its alumni network, and what they derive from such socio-professional opportunities.
Maria Alexandrou (MSc Management and Economics, 2006) – Communications Officer, National Crime Agency
“My husband (also an alum of Bayes) and Igo to as many of the learning events as possible. We like to stay connected with the School and see new faces every time we attend. We love where we studied and want to continue representing it and establishing new connections via events with a professional twist, like the new Bayes Alumni Connect series.
“I work in communications, so the central theme of branding at this evening’s event really resonates with me. In addition, the fact the keynote is being delivered by a fellow neurodiverse alumna means a lot to me – being invited to such an event is a great learning opportunity as there was a time in the past when people with a condition such as mine (ADHD) were not as included in the professional world.”
John Paul Danaee (MSc Finance and Investments, 2014) – Cofounder & Director, equitably.ai
“I already feel part of the community, both personally and professionally speaking, not least because my companies were launched at Venture Space, the university’s incubator accelerator. In addition, my co-founder is also a reader in the Department of Computer Science at City St George’s and I collaborate with another reader at Bayes in cutting-edge areas like the valuation of AI, so I already feel part of the community, both personally and professionally speaking.
“Continuous and applied learning is critical in fast-moving sectors like the artificial intelligence sector that I am in. Bayes and the university have great research and knowledge, and I feel I am doing my bit with AI while also learning. When I heard of an event broaching the topic of personal branding this evening, as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Chartered Marketer, branding is a key part of the Institute’s competency framework, so I made time to come to both learn and contribute.”
Simeon Ignatov (BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management, 2021) – Associate, PIMCO
“Attending Bayes alumni events and staying connected with the community has been a very effective as well as enjoyable way to keep expanding my network. You can compare and contrast experiences people have had in their respective careers, share success stories and also the more difficult challenges we’ve faced in our working lives to date. The fact that events often feature either external speakers or members of the Bayes community is a real plus. Bayes and the community have been a tremendous support that helped me reach where I am today, so continuing to nurture links with your alma mater is important.”
“What impresses me the most at Bayes alumni events is the wide variety of backgrounds from which people come, providing a whole host of different perspectives on the main topic of discussion. It’s too easy to stay just within a network specific to the sector in which you already work. Seeing how everyone’s career has evolved since Bayes and across so many different industries is so much more informative.”
Sandra Lawman (MSc Grant-making Management, 2009) – Advisory Board Member, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
“Meeting new people is one of the key attractions for attending events and staying connected with the alumni network. When the topic is one of particular interest to me, as is the case for this evening’s presentation on personal and professional branding, I have an extra motivation – to discuss with and hear other people share their standpoint.”