Give to gain: celebrating women leaders on the Cambridge MBA

The power of giving to gain

International Women’s Day 2026 centres on a powerful theme: ‘Give to Gain’, a call to forge gender equality through abundant giving. When people, organisations and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. When women thrive, we all rise.

This principle sits at the heart of Cambridge Judge Business School’s partnership with the Forté Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing women’s careers through business education. Each year, we award 5 Forté Foundation Fellowships of up to £40,000, providing not just financial support but lifetime access to a global network of over 10,000 women business leaders and allies.

The investment creates a ripple effect. These scholars do not simply benefit from the opportunity, they actively pay it forward, mentoring others, championing gender equality initiatives and building communities that lift all women in business.

Voices from our MBA class of 2025 Forté Fellows

This year’s Forté Fellows bring diverse experiences and ambitious visions for driving change.

Kinza Athar

Kinza Athar launched a functional snacking startup that gained early traction globally. Looking ahead, she says: “I hope to foster open dialogue, share lessons from my own ventures and build a community that celebrates ambition, resilience and bold ideas. For me, the Forté Fellowship is not only a personal milestone but also a call to action to use my voice, experiences and platform to help more women see themselves as founders, leaders and change-makers.”

Sue Park

Sue Park established South Korea’s first literary agency dedicated to representing authors from the beginning of their careers. Her mission extends beyond individual deals: “I’ve always believed that leadership comes in many forms. I tend to associate quieter qualities, such as devotion to a long-term vision, diplomatic tact and the ability to inspire through action, with signs of truly lasting leadership.”

Wenyi Xie

Wenyi Xie, who led product initiatives at Tesla, sees her Fellowship as inspiration to extend support beyond herself: “Being awarded the Forté Foundation Fellowship is one of the most meaningful recognitions for me. It inspires me to lean in and help empower more women to build self-belief and unlock their potential.”

Amy Reeves

Amy Reeves reflects on how the Fellowship transformed her sense of what’s possible: “This time last year, I was full of self-doubt. I really didn’t think someone with my background or my skill set would ever be offered even a place here at Cambridge, let alone a scholarship. I have been able to reimagine a future and reimagine what I’m capable of and what I can achieve because of this scholarship. Being a Forté Foundation Fellow has given me a heightened sense of responsibility to inspire other women to follow in my footsteps.”

Building community and impact

The Forté Fellows have built vibrant communities within the Cambridge MBA, creating spaces where women from diverse backgrounds can connect and support one another. Previous scholars have led initiatives from coffee chats bringing together women across sectors to events with the Gender Equality Special Interest Group that welcome all genders.

This inclusive approach embodies ‘Give to Gain’, recognising that progress toward gender equality benefits everyone and requires coalition-building across genders, sectors and backgrounds.

The MBA year provides intensive preparation, but the Forté Fellowship’s impact extends far beyond graduation. Fellows gain lifetime access to resources including leadership conferences and networking opportunities. More significantly, they join a global community committed to advancing women’s careers.

The Cambridge MBA cohort itself reflects this commitment to gender diversity. Recent cohorts have achieved 43% to 47% female representation. This critical mass changes classroom dynamics, creates networks of peer support and signals to prospective students that women belong in business education.

The multiplier effect

The Give to Gain theme resonates powerfully in business education. When organisations invest in women’s education through scholarships, they do not just help individual recipients, they create leaders who will shape more inclusive organisations, mentor the next generation and champion policies that benefit all women.

Research consistently demonstrates that diverse teams drive better business outcomes. Companies with inclusive cultures report higher employee engagement and stronger innovation. Organisations in the top quartile for gender diversity are more likely to outperform their peers financially.

By developing women business leaders, programmes like the Forté Foundation Fellowship contribute to broader economic and social progress. The giving creates gains that extend far beyond any individual recipient.

Looking ahead

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate not just the achievements of individual women but the power of generous support to create opportunities that benefit entire communities.

The Forté Fellows exemplify this principle. They have received significant investment in their education and potential. In return, they are committed to lifting others, building inclusive communities and using their platforms to advance gender equality.

As we reflect on Give to Gain, we recognise that progress requires sustained commitment from individuals, organisations and communities. It requires mentorship, sponsorship, policy changes and cultural shifts. It requires people willing to invest generously in women’s potential.

Cambridge Judge Business School is proud to partner with the Forté Foundation in this mission, developing women leaders who will drive meaningful change across industries and geographies. Together, we are proving that when we give generously to support women’s education and advancement, everyone gains.