Alternative Spring Break  

March 4, 2019

Two years after Hurricane Katrina, Diane Borhani, National Talent Director for Deloitte Services LP, arrived in Biloxi, Mississippi with a group of professionals and college students to provide aid through the newly-formed Alternative Spring Break program.

Diane recalls the devastation in the community and surrounding areas, even two years after the hurricane struck. “There was one area where they showed us that everything was wiped out except that the thing that remained was a church steeple,” Diane recalls. “I’ll always have that visual in my mind.”

Today, Diane is a Managing Director in Deloitte’s Evolving Workforce group, focusing on Strategy and Innovation. And her brainchild, Alternative Spring Break, continues to be one of our hallmark programs. The program’s evolution since its inception eleven years ago is impressive. There have been many different projects over the years, as Deloitte and its sponsor, United Way, strive to ensure that we continue to make an impact in the communities we serve.

Diane explained to me the roots and evolution of the program. “At Deloitte, we are always trying to look at ways to differentiate ourselves, to demonstrate to students and candidates what it’s like to be a part of Deloitte. The organization has such a big investment in giving back to the community and it’s something that’s very authentic to who we are and what we do. What would be a better way to give students insight into our culture than to be a part of that in some way?” 

The nature of the program has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. Last year’s various projects included homelessness awareness, support in pre-K classrooms, and feeding the hungry. This year, 65 college students and 22 Deloitte professionals from around the country will come together in Atlanta, Georgia to provide critical classroom support in the STEM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – skills that are in high demand from many employers. Ultimately, the goal is to improve these skillsets, as well as increase the interest, for high-schoolers in underserved communities in the greater Atlanta area.

Looking back on her past ASB experiences, Diane notes the importance of the right candidate to participate in this program. Giving up your spring break isn’t for everyone, she notes. But for those freshman, sophomore, and junior-level college students that are selfless and passionate about volunteerism, this could be the experience of a lifetime. It certainly was for Diane, who calls it a “career highlight.”  Expanding upon that, Diane was incredibly humbled by the students who attended the 2007 ASB program. So touched by the Biloxi community’s gratitude, the students took it upon themselves to create a fundraising site benefiting hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts.

“That is something that gave me great pride in this program and I will remember it forever.”

Deloitte’s 11^th annual Alternative Spring Break will take place from March 11^th - March 15^th.  Be sure to follow along with the action on our social channels!

Instagram: @lifeatdeloitteus, @unitedwayatlanta, and @unitedway

Hashtags: #DeloitteASB and #UnitedWayATL


About the author
Kathryn Roberts is a Deloitte campus recruiter and 2-year ASB participant.