For this issue of GOLD Nuggets, Drashhti Bilimoria ’21, MBA ’22, interviewed Alex Turgeon ’16, MBA ’17, the recipient of this year’s Young Alumni Award. Alex is a dedicated volunteer across many areas at Clark and will be presented with the award during Reunion Weekend 2024.

When did you graduate and what did you do at Clark? 

I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I went on to earn my MBA in 2017, with a concentration in Marketing and Information Management and Business Analytics.

At Clark, I co-founded the technology startup WooConnect with Abhijit Singh ’16. WooConnect connected college students with local events, activities, and experiences in Worcester, and provided small businesses a platform to market to students. It won 1st prize at the 2014 U-reka! Big Idea Contest (now Clark Tank). 

What type of clubs and organizations were you a part of? 

I held several leadership positions across Clark programs, including First-Year Orientation, Senior Class Gift Committee, Senior Week Planning Committee, and the Clark University Men’s Lacrosse Team. I received the Russ Granger Award and the Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award in 2016.  

What is your favorite memory of Clark?

My senior year, we launched WooConnect and the head of SLP allowed Abhijit and me to address the first-year students at Orientation. I was also a peer adviser and it served as a chance to reflect on our time as first years, living in Worcester, and building and launching a startup application.  

What was your favorite thing to do in Worcester? 

Most weekends I’d be in the Canal District, whether it’s grabbing coffee at Birchtree Bread, exploring the thrift store and weekend farmers markets, or enjoying one of the many dive bars with friends (RIP to the Dive Bar). 

As a local with family in the area, my favorite thing to do in Worcester now usually entails a coffee at the acoustic roastery, a visit to campus, playing round of disc golf at Elm Park or Newton Hill, and grabbing a bite from one of the many hidden Gems of Worcester that inspired the original concept of WooConnect (Hacienda Don Juan, BTs BBQ, Ed Hyders Mediterranean Marketplace, or any of the Vietnamese restaurants in Main South). 

Where are you now? What have you been up to? 

After graduation, I began my career as a strategic management consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. I worked with federal government agencies such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

At the start of my career, I also founded the digital experience, marketing, and creative services agency Valere Digital (formerly First Pulse), which began taking on new clients in 2021. Recently, I partnered with CEO and Co-Founder of Valere, Guy Pistone ’12, MBA ’15, to become founder of Valere Digital and Chief Growth Officer. Valere is an award-winning AI Transformation and digital solutions software development company.   

What about hobbies? Do you have any new or developing ones? 

I love anything that has a crafting element to it. Whether it’s creating a business, app, story, or development of a skill – maybe it’s the lingering Clarkie in me, but I just find others’ passions fascinating and energizing. 

To that point I’m a big nerd at heart – Video Games like Pokemon, Tabletop Games like D&D, and most notably lore – stories crafted from different worlds (normally Sci-Fi) as far back as the original Dune novels or Warhammer 40k. If I’m not in the weight room or geeking out over a game, I’m usually playing with our two cats, BBQing, or playing disc golf. 

Do you have any ‘adulting’ tips or advice you can share with your fellow Clarkies?  

Clark provided me with countless experiences and valuable lessons that I believe are important to learn. 

For young alumni, trust that Clark showed you how to think critically, prioritize the why over the what, and see the big picture through a wider perspective. A liberal arts education doesn’t always present a linear path, but remember the quote from The Odyssey: “It is the journey that matters, not the destination,” – it is the essence of human experience. Find your passion, do what you can, where you are, with what you have, and know everyone’s just faking it a little bit better every day. 

What are some topics/skills relevant to the current environment that you think Clarkies should stay on top of? 

AI – This skillset is imperative right now and moving forward, specifically Gen-AI, and will remain relevant beyond these topics well beyond. 

How do you stay involved with Clark? 

I stay involved with Clark in many ways! I serve as an adviser to Clarkie-founded companies, I am a co-chair of the GOLD Council, I’ve hosted events in the D.C. area, served on my reunion committees, and so much more.  

I believe in giving beyond just the financial aspect, so I have also provided mentorship and career opportunities, been a guest speaker for SOM classes, and I am the GOLD Council liaison to the Alumni Council. Everything I do for the community is so fulfilling and meaningful – I know I will have a life-long connection to Clark!