London Community Event

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There's something no Zoom call, newsletter, or online thread can replicate, and we were reminded of it this week.

A few of our SMC team hosted an informal alumnae catch-up in London, and it was exactly the kind of evening that reminds you why in-person connection remains one of the most powerful forces in both professional and personal life. Within minutes, the kind of candour and trust that can take weeks to build online happened naturally, over a drink and nibbles.

It was wonderful to see so many of our UK-based alumnae thriving and enjoying London life, with careers spanning F1 project management, start-up work, journalism, and law. The energy in the room was warm, easy, and genuinely energising.

We talk a lot about community in alumni networks, but community isn't just a mailing list or a shared class year. It's what happens when people choose to show up and connect in person. In a world where so much can be replaced by a Zoom call or an email, there is real power in simply being in the same room.

A huge thank you to Jane Lougher and Jo Fogarty for making the evening happen, and to everyone who attended. You are a reminder of why these connections matter, and why we'll keep making time for them.

If you're based in the UK, make sure to add yourself to the London Alumnae Club via SMC Connect. These groups exist to strengthen our global community and support each of you locally through informal catch-ups and networking. We'd love to see the group grow.