Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) is proud to welcome Alicia Vermaele, a recognized philanthropy and social impact leader, to its Board of Directors. For more than two decades, Alicia has worked at the intersection of philanthropy, business, and cross-sector collaboration, designing and scaling programs that strengthen communities and elevate the role of business in driving social change. She brings a powerful combination of strategic insight, global perspective, and a deep commitment to equity.
Most recently, as Vice President at Starbucks and Executive Director of The Starbucks Foundation, Alicia led a major strategic transformation of its philanthropic and community programs. With her team, she mobilized employee-driven philanthropy at scale: since its inception, the award-winning Neighborhood Grants program has empowered more than 170,000 Starbucks employees to nominate local nonprofits, resulting in over 16,000 grants and $25 million invested in grassroots organizations.
During her tenure, she also founded the Starbucks Social Impact Innovations Hub, incubating innovative cross-sector partnerships, and led highly visible campaigns such as the Starbucks global refugee hiring initiative. Her work has been recognized by Engage for Good and the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, and her commitment to social change earned her a 2024 Presidential Leadership Scholars fellowship.
Alicia’s passion for mentorship and GMI’s mission is deeply personal. “Mentorship has shaped every stage of my career, and its impact is profound. What GMI offers — honest dialogue, practical guidance, and someone in your corner — is exactly what young people need as they step into the workforce. I’m honored to help expand that access globally.”
She sees GMI as a place where young people can ask the real-world questions that often go unasked, from job hunting to professional norms to cross-cultural expectations. “Mentors are critical for young people, especially early in a career. The power of someone believing in you and championing your potential makes a real difference, and GMI has built the structure to make that accessible to youth across the globe.”
Alicia was also drawn to GMI’s ability to scale impact efficiently. “What struck me about GMI was the leanness of the organization, yet the reach of the impact. It’s rare to see an organization so intentional about growth, with the potential to scale alongside the needs of local communities.”
GMI is honored to welcome Alicia to the Board and looks forward to the vision, creativity, and strategic leadership she brings to its global mentorship community.
