An Instant Connection, Solidarity and Trust
When Jennifer Mele ’93 started as associate director of communications at the Harvard Business School, Julia Parrillo ’88, director of major gifts, sought her out during her first week. “I saw that you went to Mount Holyoke,” Parillo said, introducing herself. Christina Petrigliano ’02, director of alumni relations, also stopped by to introduce herself to Mele. “That immediately made me fell welcome, and they both become friends,” says Mele. She even “elfed” them the following fall!
The Mount Holyoke contingent in the Harvard Business School’s office of external relations now totals five, including Ruth Davidson ’80, senior consultant and Mary Jane “MJ” Dupuis Keough ’85, senior director, special projects, Alumni Relations.
None of them knew each other prior to meeting at Harvard Business School. Now, the group has been dubbed by another coworker “the Mount Holyoke mafia of Teele Hall.” On Mountain Day, they celebrated the Mount Holyoke tradition by gathering for ice cream during their work day.
Of her Moho coworkers Mele says, “I felt an instant connection, solidarity and trust with each of them.”
Are there any fellow Mount Holyoke alums in your workplace? Share your story with us in the comments below or by emailing quarterly@mtholyoke.edu.
November 4, 2019
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