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Alumni Career Services

Alumni Career Services Darden Council

Darden Council

Relationships That Last. Conversations That Matter.

A Year-Long Peer Learning Experience Launching in Washington, D.C.

Application opens 1 June 2025

What Are We Solving For?

Darden alumni are motivated, curious, thoughtful and driven individuals who want to create an impact. As leaders, the landscape you’re navigating is more complex than ever. Time is scarce. Many of you are asking:

  • Who can I turn to for perspective and support?
  • How do I stay sharp—and stay true to what matters most?
  • How do I stay current, creative and connected while managing complexity?
  • What’s next? Is there something better out there? Is there a portfolio career option I should be building now?
  • Am I making decisions with the long view in mind—or just staying afloat?
  • How do I balance competing personal and professional demands?

The answers to these questions have no playbook. But there are people—other Darden alumni—who are wrestling with similar challenges or have experience navigating those challenges. This pilot creates a structured space for you to do that thinking together. It addresses the real challenge of creating meaningful connections with peers as an adult—a set of peers that share Darden connective tissue.

This complimentary program creates space to reflect and engage with people you can trust - a set of peers with objective perspectives not filtered by what they want or need.

The rhythm of meetings keeps you focused on the long view—even while you navigate the day-to-day and keeps you regularly grounded, focused and invigorated.

What Is Darden Council—and How Does It Help?

Darden Council is small, curated groups of alumni (six to eight people) who meet regularly for deep, honest and practical conversations. Think of it as your advisory board—part sounding board, part support system, part strategy team.

What makes it work:

  • Unique perspectives, shared values: Councils are curated to ensure a range of experiences with enough shared experience to build trust quickly.
  • Intentional structure: Meetings are facilitated and follow a curated structure to balance reflection, action and accountability.
  • Real relationships: This isn’t networking—it’s about deep connection, mutual support and being in it with people who get it.
  • Confidential and judgment-free: Everyone comes to the table with both something to give and something to figure out.

Whether you're managing more complexity, craving meaningful connection or contemplating a career shift, you don’t have to do it alone.

The Pilot Structure

This year’s pilot is launching exclusively in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Council will leverage a facilitated structure, tailored to meet the unique needs of our alumni.

What to expect:

  • Small councils (six to eight people) matched for maximum learning and support. The initial council matching depends on the needs of the pilot participants outlined in the application process.
  • Monthly facilitated meetings, with flexibility for each council to navigate the balance of in-person and virtual meetings. We recommend that, at a minimum, the initial two meetings be held in person.
  • A year-long commitment of monthly meetings beginning in September with local alumni. Each meeting is 2 hours. This commitment cannot be stressed enough as it is paramount to a group’s cohesion and success.
  • A leadership opportunity for those who want it. Each council will be co-led by two volunteer facilitators who will partner with an experienced facilitator to develop their own facilitation skills.

You'll be part of shaping what this becomes—offering input, giving feedback and helping us refine the model for the broader alumni community.

We handle logistics. You bring your curiosity, generosity and desire to grow.

What This Is Not

This experience is not for everyone, and that’s by design.

To help you decide if it’s a fit, here’s what it isn’t:

  • It’s not just networking.
    This is not a forum for self-promotion, soliciting business or getting your next position. Members are welcome to discuss professional endeavors, challenges and opportunities, but need to be mindful of this distinction.
  • It’s not a drop-in space.
    Council relies on consistency and commitment. If you’re not able to prioritize regular and meaningful participation, this is likely not the right time.
  • It’s not coaching or therapy.
    You won’t be led through personal or professional development by an expert. Instead, you’ll be in a peer-led conversation supported by facilitation. Growth comes from each other.
  • It’s not competitive.
    This isn’t about proving yourself or comparing trajectories. It’s about listening, learning, and helping one another move forward with clarity and confidence.
  • It’s not for people who want to stay surface-level.
    This space is for alumni willing to be thoughtful, generous and real. If you're craving small talk, this won’t feel right.

Ready to Pilot This Together?

This is a pilot. That means you’ll help us shape what works. In return, you’ll get early access to something new—and something that will change the way you think about your career, your connections and your leadership.

Leadership

Council Facilitators

Each council needs one to two volunteer facilitators who help coordinate meeting logistics, guide the discussion and create a productive space for the members to connect.

  • Facilitators receive training from Darden Alumni Career Services in partnership with an experienced facilitator on confidentiality, conflict resolution and group dynamics. Facilitators are invited to connect with other facilitators periodically to discuss issues and share ideas.
  • Facilitators are fully engaged members of their council and, aside from their special responsibilities, engage in the conversation as peers and not leaders.
  • Facilitators are guides for discussion, time management and council agreements to ensure meaningful outcomes from council participation.

Host

Each council will include one or more hosts for council meetings at either their homes or office spaces. These hosts will be responsible for providing the space to meet and all necessary logistics. The hosts could also be Council facilitators. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How are councils formed?

    We use your application data to match you with others. We aim to avoid echo chambers—your council will be disparate enough to spark learning. The application includes questions about your current geography, position, industry, and life stage. We will do our best to consider your ideal group of peers, but early council formation depends on pilot participation, and we do ask for some flexibility.

  • Who facilitates the council?

    Each council is co-led by two volunteer facilitators trained for their roles and supported throughout the year by dedicated resources. They will guide the structure, spark participation, and help the council develop norms to create confidential engagement by all members.

  • What is the format of a meeting?

    Each meeting will include an opportunity for members to check in about what is present for them, a meaningful reflection to create depth, an activity to garner new insights that lead to action, and a key takeaway or commitment that threads into the next meeting.

  • What if a council fails to click?

    The structure and participant selection process are designed to maximize cohesion and commitment from the start—while also fostering the kind of diverse perspectives that lead to meaningful personal and professional growth. Each council’s facilitation team stays in close conversation with our lead facilitator and Darden coaches throughout the year to monitor dynamics and navigate any roadblocks.

    That said, we know that sometimes small groups don’t “click” immediately. You may find yourself in a group with someone whose style or worldview challenges you—and that can be one of the richest growth opportunities. As one master coach put it: the groups that stretch you are often the ones that help you grow the most. In our lives and careers, we don’t always get to choose our colleagues or collaborators. Council offers a chance to stay curious, notice your own reactions, and explore your leadership and communication patterns in real time.

    If significant issues arise, we’ll work with your council to find thoughtful solutions. But often, what initially feels like friction becomes the very spark for connection, self-awareness, and lasting insight.
     

  • What is the time commitment?

    Two hours a month, slightly more if you volunteer to co-facilitate your council. We’ve designed this to be manageable for busy professionals—while meaningful enough to create impact. This commitment is critical to developing deep trust and understanding of one another in the council.

  • What does the program cost?

    This is a complimentary program aligned with Alumni Career Services’ commitment to serving alumni at any stage of their careers.

  • How will confidentiality be addressed?

    Each council will co-create a set of norms that consider and address the concerns of any council member. Confidentiality is considered a required norm to support depth of connection and meaningful conversation. It is paramount to a council’s success.

  • What happens when the year is up?

    In the Spring of 2026, we will begin planning for an annual refresh in the Fall of 2026. Some councils may opt to stay together, welcome new members or disband and start fresh. Darden will support each council, in partnership with the council co-facilitation team, to shift council membership as needed.

  • Why is Darden offering this?

    This program is rooted in dozens of alumni conversations that made the demand for this clear. It's a chance to extend the best parts of the Darden experience—intellectual rigor, purposeful conversation and deep connections into life beyond Grounds.

  • How are meetings scheduled?

    The entire schedule of meetings will get booked in each council’s first meeting, allowing you to plan your year with council commitment included.

  • Is this just networking?

    No. This is about substance, not surface. Council is designed for real talk, not small talk. It's a space where trust is built, challenges are named and ideas are sharpened through perspective, not polished resumes.

  • Can I request to be in a group with someone I know (or not be in a group with someone I know)?

    We understand the value of both existing relationships and new perspectives. There will be a space in the application to note any preferences or sensitivities, and we’ll do our best to honor them within the constraints of group composition.

  • What if I need to miss a session?

    We understand that life happens. That said, regular attendance is vital to building trust and cohesion. We ask all participants to prioritize Council meetings as they would other key commitments and to communicate proactively with their group if an absence is unavoidable.

  • Will the same facilitation team support our Council all year?

    Yes. Each Council will be co-led by two alumni facilitators who partner with our lead facilitator and Darden coaches. That external support team will stay connected to the group throughout the year to support continuity and growth.

  • What kind of training or support do facilitators receive?

    Facilitators will participate in a kickoff orientation and receive an ongoing series of resources, optional peer check-ins, and support from our lead facilitator and coaches. They will not be expected to “lead” like a professor, but rather to hold space, support structure, and sustain momentum.

  • How do I know if I’m “senior” or “experienced” enough to contribute?

    If you’re grappling with meaningful decisions in your personal or professional life and are willing to show up with candor and curiosity, you’re ready. This isn’t about your title—it’s about your willingness to engage meaningfully.

  • I’m in a big career transition. Is now the right time?

    Possibly. If you have the bandwidth to show up consistently and reflect openly, Council can be an invaluable space to navigate transition. If your time or emotional capacity is too limited, you may wish to apply next year.

  • How do you define success for this pilot?

    We will be soliciting and evaluating participant feedback, the depth of group connection, continuity of participation, and the desire of groups to continue. Your input will directly shape how the program evolves.

More Questions?