Adam Berger ’01 »
Classroom & Conference Speaker, Regional Club Volunteer, Reunion Committee
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What inspired you to get involved as a volunteer for Babson?
Babson was the first place in my life where I was given a true clean slate—the opportunity to decide who I wanted to be and how I wanted to show up in the world. That environment changed me. It didn’t just educate me; it shaped the trajectory of my life.
It’s where I met my wife, Christina ’00—my partner in life and in business—which alone would be reason enough to remain deeply connected. But beyond that, Babson gave me a framework for thinking, building, and leading that continues to influence me every day.
As I’ve moved into the second half of life, I’ve come to appreciate something Arthur Brooks articulates well: fulfillment increasingly comes not from achieving, but from giving—mentoring, teaching, sharing hard-earned lessons, and helping others accelerate their journeys. I’ve built businesses. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve learned through experience. There is tremendous meaning in passing that forward.
Every time I step onto Babson’s campus, it reignites something in me. The energy is different. The students are intentional, ambitious, and serious about building meaningful lives. The focus on entrepreneurship—not just as a discipline, but as a mindset—is infectious.
I’ve stayed connected to faculty and administration over the years because I believe in what Babson represents. I’m particularly passionate about the Sales concentration led by Professor Vini Onyemah. Sales is the lifeblood of every successful enterprise, yet it is often misunderstood or undervalued. Elevating it within a Babson framework dignifies it as the leadership discipline it truly is. We can't deploy accounting to grow our company; we can't finance our way to exponential sales growth. I want to help students see sales not as a fallback, but as the powerful pathway to ownership, impact, independence, and influence.
Volunteering is not about giving back in a transactional sense. It’s about investing forward. If I can help even a handful of students think bigger, move faster, avoid a costly mistake, or build with more confidence, that is deeply rewarding to me. In a recent FME classroom, several students approached me after I spoke, and we have continued discussions. One really resonated with a comment I made about "you can really stand out in a very boring industry when you couple it with a Babson education and thinking!”
What has been the most rewarding part of your experience as a volunteer for Babson?
Babson helped shape my life. Contributing as an alumnus is simply a natural extension of that gratitude. The quiet truth about giving is that it transforms the giver as deeply as the one receiving. Most recently I had my daughter with me for a tour of Babson College. This was incredibly special unto itself, but she was blown away by the culture of the classroom we visited, the involvement of the faculty, and the energy. This place I had spoken of for her entire lifetime spoke to her too! That was a really special moment to share.
Why is it important to you to give back?
Giving back is important to me because I wouldn’t be where I am without people who invested in me before I had anything to offer in return.
At different stages of my life, mentors, teachers, partners, and even peers saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet earned. They gave time, perspective, and honest feedback. That shaped my trajectory in ways I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.
As I’ve grown personally and professionally and I’ve realized that achievement alone is incomplete. Building companies, winning deals, and reaching milestones is satisfying, but it’s not what sustains fulfillment. What lasts is impact. Helping someone think bigger. Helping them avoid a mistake. Helping them move faster toward something meaningful.
Giving back is how I stay connected to purpose. It sharpens me. It reminds me of where I started. And it allows me to turn hard-earned lessons, including failures, into something useful for someone else.
It’s not about writing a check or showing up for optics. It’s about stewardship. I’ve been fortunate. Passing that forward feels like responsibility, not obligation. Doing it without expectation or remuneration feels incredibly powerful. While I still don't feel old enough to consider myself wise, I do have experience and perspective. Babson and the work since have changed my life in ways I've only dreamed of. Helping others find their place and thrive in life is one of my deepest priorities.