Mary Helen Black
About Mary Helen Black
Mary Helen Black serves as the Director of Alumni Relations at Harvard Business School, overseeing a global network of alumni clubs and associations. With a background in communications and extensive experience in higher education, she has facilitated significant pro-bono consulting for nonprofits and leads numerous programs focused on current events and diversity.
Current Role at Harvard Business School
Mary Helen Black serves as the Director of Alumni Relations at Harvard Business School since 2014. In this role, she oversees a network of 103 alumni clubs and associations across 50 countries and 45 U.S. cities. Her responsibilities include leading a team that provides strategic consulting and advising to alumni leadership and Harvard partners. She organizes approximately 1,500 innovative programs each year that focus on current events and industry trends, featuring prominent business thought leaders.
Previous Experience in Higher Education
Prior to her current position, Mary Helen Black held various roles in higher education. She worked at Harvard University from 2007 to 2014, serving as the Project Manager for the Allston Development Group and later as the Senior Associate Director for Harvard Public Affairs & Communications. Before that, she was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Communications at Northeastern University and Emerson College from 1998 to 2000.
Educational Background
Mary Helen Black has an extensive educational background. She earned a Master of Arts in Political & Organizational Communication from Emerson College. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Drake University. Additionally, she completed an International Graduate Summer Program in Literature and History at Exeter College, University of Oxford, and participated in the International Graduate Summer Program in Spanish Language & Business at Esade in Barcelona, Spain.
Impact on Nonprofits and Community Engagement
Mary Helen Black has facilitated over $12 million in pro-bono consulting to 200 nonprofits, NGOs, and local governments. She is committed to advancing racial equity and diversity through her work, organizing 85 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) events annually in regional communities. Her efforts contribute to fostering a more inclusive environment within the alumni network and beyond.
Career at Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Before her tenure in higher education, Mary Helen Black worked at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy from 1990 to 1998. In her role as Manager of Marketing, Programs & Operations, she contributed to the development and implementation of various initiatives that supported the institute's mission. Her experience in this position laid the groundwork for her future roles in higher education and alumni relations.