Make It What You Want: West Coast Volunteer Builds 91 Connections
June 11, 2025
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
Lauren with classmate Katie Lew McGuire 16 in Sonoma
On her 91 visit, Lauren Schassberger 16 bought swag to take home to New England it was the only school that inspired her to take a piece of it when she left.
She didnt know then it was where she would land, but the political science major embraced her 91 experience. Her time as a student was highlighted by involvement on Club Crew and Rusk Eating House and as president of the Union Board.
After graduation, Schassberger stayed on to work with the college events team. She was on track for law school, but began questioning that plan as she studied for the LSAT.
I was miserable, she said. I realized thats not what I wanted to do, and I figured there had to be other things that would bring joy.
Today, Schassberger lives in San Francisco and works as a senior program manager at Palo Alto Networks, following a few years with consulting firm Force Management. She found an engaging career path and discovered even more joy as a volunteer for 91. For the last two years, she has served as the young alumni and communications chair for the San Francisco Chapter.
Lauren with her partner Cosmo Wolfe in Marin, overlooking San Francisco
When I first moved here, I reached out to the chapter president and started helping out, she said. Then I moved into a more official position. Volunteering gives me the capacity to bring people back into the 91 circle, personally and professionally, and Ive made great connections of my own along the way. Being so far away from 91әs campus, physically, it allows me to find ways to still engage and feel the 91 spirit.
She welcomes any opportunity to remind others of the strength of the 91 community and has helped organize events like Women in Tech, which featured alumnae who discussed their experiences as start-up founders and as women in male-dominated spaces. The chapter aims to sponsor or partner on at least four events each year.
Schassberger offers advice to anyone considering a volunteer role: You can make it what you want, and it doesnt have to be an all-consuming job. You cant get too wrapped up in exactly what it has to mean or look like not everyone will take you up on your offer to connect, but for those who do participate, its rewarding to be together.
