Meet the members of our Societal Advisory Board (SAB), a group of business and societal leaders who share their vision and insights to help Católica Porto Business School strengthen its ties with society.
We begin Inside the SAB with Carlos Costa, Chair of the SAB and currently Honorary Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and member of the Comitato di Indirizzo do Osservatorio for Independent Thinking (Florence), who shared some reflections on the role of Alumni in business schools during the 2025 Alumni Gala:
Carlos Costa during the 2025 "From the Past to the Future" Alumni Gala
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Business schools do not only educate managers or business leaders. They have the responsibility to form better people, connected to the world and to their communities. |
“When we project the future, it is easy to fall into the temptation of focusing only on the present and forgetting the past. But a business school such as Católica Porto Business School is also built on its history — and that history is, in large part, written by its Alumni. (…)
In the beginning, there were no formal alumni networks. The connection among Alumni was mostly maintained through informal networks or lifelong learning, namely through executive programmes — returning to school to study again, this time with a deeper understanding of real-world challenges. Today, we know that this role goes far beyond that. (…)
The relevance of Alumni is not measured solely by numbers — how many there are or which positions they hold. It is measured by their proximity to the school, by their engagement with new generations, by knowledge sharing, mentoring, counselling, and creating opportunities for younger professionals. (…)
Business schools do not only educate managers or business leaders. They have the responsibility to form better people, connected to the world and to their communities. True impact happens when experienced professionals share their journey with younger ones, creating bridges that enrich both sides. (…)
This real-world perspective is transformative for new generations. It is also essential to shaping the future of education, ensuring that we continue to be relevant and innovative. It is with great satisfaction that I see this vision reflected here, at Católica Porto Business School — and that so many Alumni are actively and permanently involved in the life of the School.”
This is the first feature in the Inside the SAB series, a space for sharing ideas and reflections that bring Católica Porto Business School closer to society and its leaders.