Hands on Manila Foundation, Inc. (HOM) has partnered with the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association (HKSAA) for its volunteer leadership development program called The Sherpa Academy (where sherpas refer to the volunteer leaders of Hands on Manila). The MOA signing ceremony was held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Far Eastern University campus in Makati City, immediately after the first Sherpa Academy session.

The Sherpa Academy is a newly-launched initiative of HOM to empower its long-time volunteers with professional development and leadership skills that they can utilize at work, at home and in their volunteer activities with HOM.

Under the agreement, the one-year partnership will see select HKSAA alumni speaking on leadership, project management, fundraising and marketing. It will also include the development, design and implementation of volunteer projects between HOM and HKSAA in realization of their mutual vision of civic and social responsibility.

The MOA between HOM and HKSAA was signed by HOM President Atty. Gianna R. Montinola and HKSAA President Atty. Anthony A. Abad. It was witnessed by HOM Executive Director Emmanuel Marquez, HKSAA Executive Director Jose B Jimenez III, HOM staff and the Sherpa volunteer leaders.