What the Forté Fellowship means to me

For me, being a Forté Fellow is about sisterhood – the kind I always wished I had growing up. My mum has two sisters, and I have seen how they discuss everything, from personal challenges to career decisions. Watching them, I always admired the strength that comes from having that kind of support system. Forté has given me my version of that.

The highlight of my Forté journey so far has been attending the 2024 MBA Women’s Leadership Conference in Chicago. Spending two days surrounded by inspiring women at the top of their fields left me feeling motivated and energised. Business school isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon – and having this community of support and role models is invaluable.

Prior to my Full-Time MBA, I spent five years in financial consulting, specialising in retirement consulting. Understanding the importance of empowering women from a young age, I contributed to Project Aadya at WTW, a CSR initiative that supported over 1,300 adolescent girls, helping them navigate the physical and emotional changes during puberty and instilling in them a sense of period pride. Now, as Vice President of the Finance Careers Club at Imperial, I am aiming to organise a panel discussion featuring women leaders in finance. My goal is to create a platform where students can learn directly from women who have carved their own paths in the industry.

For me, Forté is more than a scholarship or a network – it is a chance to uplift, to learn, and to contribute to something far greater than myself.

Being a Forté Fellow at Imperial has reinforced my passion for advocating for women’s leadership and professional development. My journey in business began 10 years ago at Saint Mary’s College, an all-female undergraduate institution in the U.S., where I was surrounded by strong, ambitious women. Entering the male-dominated finance industry was a culture shock, but it strengthened my determination to create more opportunities for women in business.

Forté’s mission resonates with me, empowering women through community, education, and growth. My first experience as a Forté Fellow was at the Forté MBA Leadership Conference in Chicago, where I proudly represented Imperial and connected with inspiring women and leading companies like ExxonMobil and PepsiCo.

In London, I continue this mission as a Forté Fellow at Imperial and International Ambassador with Female x Finance, actively engaging in female-centered networking events to bridge the gender gap in business and empower more women to lead.

When I first came across the Forté Fellowship, I did not realise how much it would mean to me. At the time, I saw it as an incredible opportunity to be part of a network of inspiring women in business. But now, having stepped into this journey, I see it as something much bigger. Forté is about belonging, representation, and the power of women lifting each other up.

Before my MBA, I worked in management consulting, primarily in the healthcare sector. It was a challenging and rewarding experience, but I often found myself wondering, ‘where are all the women in leadership?’ Even though I had supportive colleagues, I noticed how few women held decision-making positions. It made me question how I could be part of changing that narrative.

Becoming a Forté Fellow reassured me that I’m not alone in this. There is an entire community of women striving to challenge norms, take up space, and redefine leadership. It’s empowering to know that I am connected to a network of women who have faced similar struggles, navigated complex career paths, and are now creating opportunities for those who come after them.

I am deeply honoured to have been selected as a recipient of the Imperial College Business School Forté Fellowship. This award not only provides financial support to pursue my MBA with greater focus but also connects me to a remarkable network of current fellows, Forté alumnae, and other inspiring women within the Forté community.

I feel incredibly grateful to be a Forté Fellow, and to have the opportunity to be part of a community empowering women to reach their full potential. It is a fantastic opportunity and extension of the MBA to be able to connect with like-minded individuals, attend networking events and achieve professional development through the various events hosted by Forté.

Forté creates a platform to empower women with the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and express their perspective, further developing their professional skills and ensuring their potential is recognised and fostered.

Through my experience working in business and early-stage startups, I have witnessed first-hand the underlying disrespect that can be experienced because of one’s age and gender. I see being part of the Forté community as a fantastic opportunity to better myself through the MBA programme and develop my skills to ensure I can confidently navigate any professional forum.