Paying it Forward by Building Community Connections

Eric Mandel ’99 is creating engagement opportunities for alumni, parents, and students

Eric Mandel, a 1999 graduate of Catlin Gabel, has long been a champion of community—building, leveraging his experiences to create spaces that encourage connection and engagement for alumni and parents around interests and professional backgrounds. Eric, who helped start Catlin Gabel Athletics, a community soccer interest group, has a passion for creating opportunities for alumni, parents, and students to connect in meaningful ways. Today, as a parent of a current student, an active alum, and the president of the Alumni Council, Eric has channeled his dedication into the development of the Catlin Gabel community networks, Coffee & Conversations (C&Cs), an initiative aimed at fostering professional and personal ties across the school community of alumni, parents, and faculty.

Staying Connected: The Heart of Community Engagement

When asked about his motivation for staying connected with Catlin Gabel, Eric's answer is simple: “It’s about my appreciation for the exceptional community I found as a student at Catlin.” He attributes his passion for service to the lessons he learned at Catlin, especially the school’s focus on being a changemaker. Eric recalls his time in the school’s “Agent of Change” project, where students were encouraged to identify challenges both on campus and in the wider community, and then take steps to address them. “That sense of empowerment and opportunity for leadership within an already exceptional community taught me that I should always be putting forth ideas to better the community and if one of them makes an impact or helps someone to feel like they belong, then I have done what I can in the service of the community,” he explains.

For Eric, being part of the Catlin Gabel community is about more than just his own children’s education. “Even if I didn’t have a child here, I would still want to contribute. Starting in, or rather repeating, 8th grade at Catlin, I quickly realized the privilege of the opportunity I had. The community was truly supportive—everyone knew each other and felt valued. You were always welcomed, encouraged, and expected to participate in some way—whether it was speaking up in classroom discussions, joining athletics under the no-cut policy, or singing with enthusiasm (even if not with skill) in the 8th-grade musical. When everyone engages in their own unique way while staying true to Catlin’s values, the community becomes stronger as a whole.” His experience left a lasting impact, inspiring him to invest his time and resources into the school’s future. When he moved back to Portland from New York he asked if they “wanted me to put on some work gloves and pull ivy in the forest. One thing led to another and here I am leading the alumni council.” Through his work with the Alumni Council, Eric has seen firsthand how Catlin Gabel prepares students to become global citizens and community leaders.

The Birth of the Catlin Gabel Community Networks (C&Cs)

Eric’s commitment to supporting Catlin Gabel took a more structured form when he co-founded the C&Cs—a set of professional interest groups that aim to unite individuals within the Catlin community who share a common professional or personal interest. “The idea behind the C&Cs was to create an inclusive space where people could connect based on their professions, but also their shared values related to Catlin Gabel,” Eric explains.

The first group, C&C: Urban which Eric leads, emerged from his background in real estate development and urban planning/community development and his desire to bring together professionals who share a common connection to the school. In addition to the urban group, there is a C&C: Arts, and there will soon be new groups in health and wellness, tech, education, and Apparel design. They aim to foster collaboration and networking while also allowing members to give back to the community in meaningful ways.

Why Now? The Importance of In-Person Connections

With the rise of digital communities, Eric sees an increasing need for in-person connections. “Social capital and community building have been in decline, accelerated by our reliance on online platforms,” he explains. “While there are positives to digital spaces, in-person connections are irreplaceable.”

For Eric, the timing of the C&Cs couldn’t be more critical. Post-pandemic, many individuals are seeking a return to physical spaces where they can engage more deeply with others. “We need to be proactive in fostering face-to-face connections,” he says. “Now more than ever, it’s important for people to come together in real, meaningful ways.”

A Vision for the Future: Impact Beyond the Present

Eric’s long-term vision is clear: he is particularly excited about the opportunity to build more spaces for connections between alumni, parents, and students, allowing for mentorship, internships, and career exploration. Already, the C&C: Urban group supported an Upper School Immersive that examined urban planning. By connecting students with professionals in various fields, the C&Cs can provide invaluable mentorship and career advice. "In my own career, I benefited greatly from being connected to professionals in the Catlin community who could offer guidance and opportunities, “Eric says, citing connections he made through Catlin that helped shape his professional path. He hopes that current parents and Alumni will now support the students in the same way he felt supported. By facilitating these types of connections for current students, Eric hopes to “pay it forward”.

“It’s about the connections people make—whether they’re building their careers, learning about different industries, or simply feeling more engaged with the community. We’re trying to build that sense of belonging,” he says. For Eric, every successful event and every meaningful connection is a sign that the C&Cs are working.

By creating these groups for people to connect in more meaningful ways, Eric has shown that engagement isn’t just about philanthropy and volunteer hours—it’s about fostering relationships that help build a stronger, more connected community. His work exemplifies what it means to be a change agent in the world today.