Teyonna Jarman has spent her career building spaces where people feel seen. Whether in startups, creative industries, or now at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, she has a consistent instinct for bringing people together and making sure no one feels like they are navigating an opportunity alone. It is a style of leadership that does not follow a single template, and that is exactly what makes it powerful. For the way she strengthens the communities around her, Teyonna is the recipient of the 2026 Edie Hunt Inspiration Award.
she has a consistent instinct for bringing people together and making sure no one feels like they are navigating an opportunity alone."
The Edie Hunt Inspiration Award honors an MBA student who leads with impact and brings others along, helping create a business world where more women can thrive. Named for Forté’s founding board chair, the award reflects Edie Hunt’s belief that leadership matters most when it expands opportunity and clears the way for others to succeed.
At Tepper, Teyonna has become known for doing exactly that.
As a mentor with Tepper Women in Business, she helps first-year students navigate recruiting, build confidence, and articulate the strengths they bring into the room. For many students, those early MBA moments can feel uncertain or overwhelming. Teyonna is the kind of leader who brings focus to those moments, helping others see paths forward they might not have recognized on their own.
Her leadership extends across the broader student community as well. She serves as Vice President of Community for the Black Business Association, Community and Culture Chair in student government, and a member of Out&Allied. She also leads the Media and Entertainment Club, where she expands students’ understanding of the creative economy and the many ways business intersects with culture. Across these roles, she brings people together, builds trust, and creates spaces where students with intersecting identities feel supported.
she brings people together, builds trust, and creates spaces where students with intersecting identities feel supported."
That instinct for community building did not start in business school. Before her MBA, Teyonna built a career across startups, technology, and creative industries, supporting senior leaders while also producing cultural events such as GRAMMY-week showcases. Those experiences shaped her ability to connect people, elevate overlooked voices, and create environments where creativity and opportunity can grow side by side.
This past summer, she brought that perspective to her internship at Accenture, expanding her experience in strategy and technology while continuing to explore the intersection of business, culture, and community. Wherever she works next, she remains focused on creating pathways for people whose potential is not always immediately recognized.
Teyonna leads with enthusiasm, creativity, and a deep commitment to lifting others as she moves forward. She strengthens every community she joins and shows what modern MBA leadership can look like in practice. Forté is proud to recognize her as the 2026 Edie Hunt Inspiration Award winner.
An amazing MBA experience starts with Forté. If you’re an incoming MBA student, these programs and events are designed to help you get ready for business school, connect with companies and peers, and build your network before classes begin.
MBA Takeoff: a six-week virtual program to facilitate the transition to business school.
MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conference: a conference providing early access to finance careers and recruiters.
MBA Leadership Conference: the must-attend event of the year, with hundreds of incoming MBAs from leading business schools and early access to recruiters across industries.
