The UCR School of Business continues to expand its investment in women’s leadership through its growing partnership with the Forté Foundation, a premier nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of women in business leadership roles. As a Forté partner institution, UC Riverside joins an elite network of top-ranked business schools and global corporations committed to advancing gender equity in business.
This year, five women from UCR’s incoming MBA cohort were selected to attend the 2025 Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, a nationally recognized event that brings together top MBA students, Fortune 500 partners, and senior women leaders for high-impact professional development, mentorship, and networking.
"This event brought together an inspiring community of future business leaders and changemakers, all committed to driving equity and impact across industries," says Steve Chen, director of admissions and recruitment at UC Riverside School of Business. "We'd like to thank the Forté Foundation for creating such a powerful platform for connection, development, and celebration. Our students are returning energized and ready to lead."
Held in Denver, Colorado in June, the immersive multi-day conference featured executive-led workshops, personalized career development, and access to a powerful network of recruiters, mentors, and alumni from the world’s most respected organizations. For UCR MBA students, participation in the Forté network not only signals academic excellence, it creates access to resources and relationships that can help shape their career paths for years to come. "For two days, I felt inspired, and it was truly empowering to be surrounded by so many remarkable women leaders. I'm genuinely amazed by how much UCR champions its students, consistently ensuring I have everything I need to succeed. That level of support truly empowers me to seize opportunities and focus on my growth," said Sarah Eduave ’27 MBA.
As a Forté partner, UCR MBA students gain access to exclusive career resources, leadership programming, corporate engagement opportunities, and Forté Fellowships. This membership opens doors to industry events, career expos, and mentorship experiences designed to elevate women into positions of influence across sectors such as consulting, tech, healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship. Added Benita Cledomy ’27 MBA, “I left Denver feeling empowered with renewed purpose and a strong commitment to always lead with heart."
The Forté partnership is one of several initiatives at the UCR School of Business designed to promote equity, elevate diverse voices, and develop principled leaders. From the classroom to the boardroom, UCR remains deeply committed to creating pathways where women are empowered to lead and succeed.
For more information about the UC Riverside School of Business, home of the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management, please visit business.ucr.edu/graduate.
_________________________
Header image: UC Riverside AGSM at Forte Foundation Conference in June 2025. From left, Simran Kaur ’27, Xintian Zhong ’27, Director Lori Babigian, Sarah Eduave ’27, Director Steve Chen ’92, Benita Cledomy ’27, and Celia Rivera ’27