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Exploring diversity and leadership at the Executive MBA women’s networking event

20 February 2020

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A fascinating evening of conversation, participation and networking exploring the importance of diversity and inclusion. On Friday 14 February we were delighted …

Category: News Programme news

A fascinating evening of conversation, participation and networking exploring the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Professor Dame Sandra Dawson speaking at an event.
Professor Dame Sandra Dawson

On Friday 14 February we were delighted to host the Executive MBA (EMBA) women’s networking event at Cambridge Judge Business School.

Now in its third year, the Executive MBA women’s networking event was developed to provide a platform for discussions surrounding diversity in leadership, with a focus on personal and professional barriers faced by individuals considering or taking an Executive MBA. The event brings together distinguished speakers, Executive MBA alumni and current participants, and people interested in the programme for an exciting and illuminating evening of talks.

This year we were delighted to welcome Professor Dame Sandra Dawson as our keynote speaker. Professor Dawson is KPMG Professor Emeritus of Management Studies, and formerly Director of Cambridge Judge Business School (1995-2006), Master of Sidney Sussex College (1999-2009) and one of the University of Cambridge’s Deputy-Vice Chancellors (2008-09).

Professor Dawson delivered a talk covering various scenarios that would require both decisive leadership and contributions from individuals from diverse personal and professional backgrounds. Drawing from global perspectives, personal anecdotes and the writings of advocates and activists, Professor Dawson presented a compelling case for integration of diversity and inclusion (D&I) at every level of organisations.

Following Professor Dawson’s keynote speech, we welcomed members of the Executive MBA alumni community and current participants to a panel session. Focussing on their personal D&I journeys and initiatives they are involved with to foster it; they discussed the importance of cognitive diversity, mentorship and recent commitments to diversity heard in Davos at the World Economic Forum.

The panel was chaired and facilitated by Sara Hasan (EMBA 2018), Product and Business Controller, Global Asset Resolution for Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Speaking on the panel:

  • Rouha Hussaina (EMBA 2018), Project Manager, Strategy for Tata Steel in Europe
  • Yasrine Ibnyahya (EMBA 2016), Director, Advanced Concepts & Technologies for Inmarsat
  • Dr Eugenie Regan (EMBA 2018), Manager, Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
  • Tariq Shah (EMBA 2019), Director of Vigo Group and founding board member of HRH The Prince of Wales’ Mosaic.

After the keynote speech and panel session, attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner and the opportunity to network. Attendees booked one-to-one sessions with the Admissions Team throughout the day to discuss the programme, including their eligibility and the Executive MBA Scholarship for Women.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody that joined us at the event and helped to make it a success.

If you couldn’t attend the event this year but would like to discuss the Executive MBA programme with the Admissions Team, we’d love to hear from you.