End the Gap

Marching Toward Gender Equity

Women are a powerful presence at Leeds. They鈥檙e advancing careers, moving the needle in research, leading companies and launching startups. And there鈥檚 Sharon Matusik, Leeds鈥� first woman dean, who is determined to work toward ending the gap found in almost every business school (and boardroom) in the country.

We鈥檙e shifting the landscape for women in business, starting in the classroom and extending all the way to the C-suite.

鈥� Dean Sharon Matusik

In fact, we鈥檙e shifting mindsets even before women hit college鈥攕tarting with high school. Through outreach, summer programs and leadership conferences, we鈥檙e dispelling preconceived notions about business, illuminating career options and instilling confidence. Early results of this initiative are promising鈥攖his year, Leeds received 24% more applications from high school girls than in 2018.

Carrying significant momentum, Leeds continues to prepare the next generation of women to impact the world of business.

Women鈥檚 Programs & Events

Women鈥檚 Empowerment Initiative
The New Face of Business
Women in Business Case Competition
MBA Women鈥檚 Business Leadership Weekend
Women in Business Leadership Day
Women in Business clubs

Closing the Gap

Female Enrollment 2015-2019

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End the gap chart displaying growth in diversity and women applications at Leeds

Power in Numbers

MBA Women鈥檚 Weekend: an inspired immersion into the world of business

Last spring, 37 women from all over the country arrived to join the Leeds community. At the inaugural MBA Women鈥檚 Business Leadership Weekend, newly admitted MBA students networked with a powerful group of women CEOs, heard TED-style talks, and met Leeds faculty, staff, alumni and future classmates.

It gave incoming women a firsthand experience of the programs and opportunities Leeds creates for students and the broader community. Within weeks, 35 of the 37 committed to join the incoming cohort this fall.

鈥淚 loved how empowering women in business was intertwined in almost every aspect of the weekend. I am so excited to get started at Leeds,鈥� remarked a participant.

Through the variety of programming, participants improved their knowledge about how gender plays a role in the business world.

Jane Miller, CEO and founder of Jane Knows and CEO of Lily鈥檚 Sweets, revealed personal lessons learned through leading a Fortune 100 and launching a startup. COO Joan Bleacher and directors at Sterling-Rice Group, a local powerhouse marketing firm, gave an on-site tour and examined the creative brain in business.

A session called 鈥淢aking Sure Your Ideas Are Heard鈥� provided tools for those faced with unconscious bias in the workplace. An interactive session on emotional intelligence shed light on the advantages of durable skills. And female executives from McKinsey, Noosa, Smith Capitol, Zayo Group and Crocs led exercises on real-world business problems鈥攇iving participants a taste of the MBA curriculum and a chance to work with women executives who solve these problems on a daily basis.

By the end, participants commented on Leeds鈥� palpable dedication and commitment to women鈥檚 success. One incoming MBA summed up her experience: 鈥淚 felt empowered, hopeful, excited and connected.鈥�

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