What the ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé Fellowship means to me

Hear from our Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé Fellows

4 minute read
Forte Fellows more women leading logo with headshots of five professional women appearing below

Imperial Business School is a proud partner of , a non-profit organisation with a mission to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development and a community of successful women.

Each year, we have the pleasure of awarding ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé Fellowships to exceptionally talented ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ entering our Full-Time MBA programme. Through this partnership, ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé Fellows gain access to exclusive benefits, including participation in ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé’s annual conference, premium lifetime membership, and dedicated networking opportunities.

Hear from our Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 Fellows

Arshween Kaur

Arshween Kaur

Nationality: Indian
Education: Bachelor of Commerce, University of Delhi
Most recent employer and job role: Associate, Willis Towers Watson, Boutique Calligraphy Start-up Founder (shecreatesmagic.in)

For me, being a ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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. ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé has given me my version of that.

The highlight of my ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ can learn directly from women who have carved their own paths in the industry.

For me, ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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.

Emily Peters

Emily Peters

Nationality: American
Education:ÌýÌý MSc, Business Analytics, University of Notre Dame. BSc in Business Administration, St Mary’s College.
Most recent employer and job role: Senior Financial Analyst, Dover Corporation

Being a ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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.

¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé’s mission resonates with me, empowering women through community, education, and growth. My first experience as a ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé Fellow was at the ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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 ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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.

Tanya Bansal

Tanya Bansal

Nationality: Indian
Education: BTech, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology
Most recent employer and job role: Consultant, ZS Associates

When I first came across the ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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. ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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 ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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.

Christa Schweizer

Christa Schweizer

Nationality: Bermudian and German
Education:Ìý BA Political Science, MA Law
Most recent employer and job role: ÌýVice President, Legal Counsel, Butterfield Bank

Ìý

I am deeply honoured to have been selected as a recipient of the Imperial Business School ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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, ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé alumnae, and other inspiring women within the ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé community.

Samantha Murphy

Samantha Murphy

Nationality: Australian
Education: Master of International Development Practice, Monash University | Bachelor of Arts, Monash University
Most recent employer and job role: Head of Strategy & Operations, PAN Group

Ìý

I feel incredibly grateful to be a ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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 ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé.

¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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 ¹ó´Ç°ù³Ùé 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.