William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business Partners with Forté to Empower Women
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary is excited to announce its new partnership with Forté, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women's careers in business. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and empowerment within the business community.
Forté, a distinguished network comprising over 200 top companies and educational institutions, is well known and respected for its efforts to enhance professional development and career advancement opportunities for women. The Mason School will join this impressive alliance through this partnership, providing students with unprecedented access to educational resources, career-building programs, and a vibrant community of successful women leaders.
As part of this new endeavor, two incoming MBA students from the Mason School recently participated in the 2024 Forté MBA Women's Leadership Conference, held from June 28-29, 2024, in Chicago, IL. Crystal Fitzgerald and Lea Alger, both members of the MBA Class of 2026, had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a program designed to foster leadership skills, build professional networks, and explore career opportunities.
Amanda Barth, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, was crucial in establishing this partnership. She remarked, "Strengthening our relationship with Forté by becoming a member university will afford our MBA women and their allies significant professional development and networking opportunities. Through this collaboration, we are eager to advance our commitment to providing access to graduate management education for talented women candidates."
"Our partnership with Forté represents a pivotal moment in our mission to foster a diverse and inclusive business environment for women. By providing our students with unparalleled access to professional development and networking opportunities, we are empowering the next generation of women leaders to drive innovation and excel in their careers," said Dean Todd Mooradian. "I also need to extend my heartfelt thanks to Amanda Barth for her instrumental role in making this partnership possible."
Crystal Fitzgerald, who attended the conference, expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity: "I am very appreciative to the Graduate Admissions team for their dedication in securing our participation in this prestigious conference. The event provided invaluable resources and opportunities, including connections with companies I am considering for internship opportunities. The presence of Rosalyn Barnett, Associate Director, Graduate Career Management Center, was quite beneficial, providing us with a detailed list of exhibitors and industries."
Fitzgerald highlighted several key takeaways from the conference: "One of the most impactful sessions was a dialogue between the CFO and Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Foods North America and the President and CEO of Insight. Their candid reflections on overcoming career challenges were incredibly inspiring. The breakout sessions I attended, particularly those focused on consulting, offered insightful perspectives on company cultures and career paths. The pre-conference webinars, especially Angela Guido's session on networking and crafting a personal story, were instrumental in helping me navigate this new career landscape."
The Forté MBA Women's Leadership Conference provided Fitzgerald a robust platform to explore internship opportunities and connect with potential employers. "Overall, attending the Forté Conference was an excellent experience that will undoubtedly influence my future career decisions and job choices," she concluded.
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business is proud to be part of this transformative partnership with Forté and is committed to continuing its support for women aspiring to excel in the business world.
ABOUT FORTÉ
Forté is a nonprofit organization working to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development, and a community of successful women. Since its founding in 2002, Forté's community has grown to include 115,000+ motivated and inspiring women who are changing the balance of power in the workplace. Our powerful alliance of talented women, influential companies, leading undergraduate and MBA schools, and pioneering donors empower women to change their career trajectories, earning power, and lives. Forté strives to support women on a professional path that is meaningful to them. Additional information about Forté is available at www.fortefoundation.org.
