This blog is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper School of Business)

For Eleanor Dinardo, choosing to earn an MBA wasn’t solely for career advancement. Her goals also included developing her leadership approach, creating authentic relationships, and discovering a nurturing community.

“I wanted to truly know my classmates, form meaningful relationships, and build a network that would last well beyond business school,” Dinardo said. “The journey to an MBA, and beyond, is about more than just career advancement—it’s about discovering who you are as a leader and how you can use your voice to create impact.”

Despite women comprising nearly half of the U.S. workforce, they remain underrepresented in executive roles. Female leaders frequently demonstrate strength in collaborative problem-solving and inclusive decision-making—attributes that fuel achievement in today’s digitally-driven business landscape. Furthermore, leadership diversity can enhance employee satisfaction and engagement, ultimately driving organizational success.

Your data-driven approach and leadership capabilities can serve as a catalyst for innovation across industries. The varied student body in Carnegie Mellon University’s STEM-Designated Full-Time MBA program at the Tepper School of Business helps create a rich learning environment where you’ll develop the skills to advance your career while inspiring other women to aim higher.

Transform Your Leadership Path: The Career Impact of a STEM MBA 

Ready to advance your professional trajectory with the analytical and leadership competencies that power success in today’s data-centric business landscape? Whether pursuing consulting, financial services, technology, or other sectors, a STEM-designated MBA can serve as your springboard to advancement as a female leader.

Discover how CMU’s MBA curriculum will position you for professional success. This 24-month program suits women seeking to enhance their leadership abilities within a nurturing atmosphere that blends analytics, teamwork, and innovation. Upon completion, you’ll be equipped to spearhead innovation, strategic planning, and excellence across any organization.

Propel Your Professional Growth with a STEM MBA 

CMU’s STEM MBA curriculum positions you for executive positions in tech firms and other industries. Combining intensive technical coursework with hands-on leadership development, you’ll cultivate:

• Strategic thinking skills to tackle complex business challenges
• Advanced data analytics and decision-making expertise
• Executive presence and communication abilities
• Valuable networks and mentorship connections
• Adaptive, cross-functional leadership skills

Access Specialized Resources and Support for Women in STEM 

Your professional development opportunities extend far beyond classroom instruction. As a participant in CMU’s MBA program, you’ll have numerous opportunities to implement your knowledge in real-world settings, supported by a comprehensive network designed to help you navigate the unique challenges women face in business.

CMU’s supplementary learning resources include:

• The Accelerate Leadership Center, offering individualized guidance 
• Tepper Women in Business, providing networking and peer connections
• The Forté Foundation for collaboration and scholarship opportunities 
• Career services with distinctive industry partnerships 
• Ongoing seminars and programs emphasizing women in STEM leadership

Dinardo is the current president of Tepper Women in Business (TWIB). She noted that it is “a community dedicated to empowering women and allies through professional development, networking, and advocacy. Our programming spans multiple areas, from social events that foster community and friendship to workshops that help women build confidence, navigate challenges, and prepare for leadership roles.”

Join students like Emily Torrealba in capitalizing on your unique capabilities with our comprehensive career development resources.

Emily’s MBA Experience: Navigating Silicon Valley’s Innovation Landscape as a Forté Fellow 

Emily Torrealba is pursuing her second year in the Tepper School MBA program, bringing experience in mechanical engineering and project oversight. Her entrepreneurial interests drew her to the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, the university-wide center for startups and innovation.

“As a Forté Fellow, I am truly honored to be part of a community that champions women in business. Coming into my MBA as a first-generation graduate and only one of two women in my undergraduate engineering class, I am deeply committed to advancing women in the workplace. I believe that fostering diversity and inclusion is not only important for individual growth but is also crucial for shaping a more inclusive and innovative future for the Tepper School and beyond,” she said.

Emily received the James R. Swartz Entrepreneurship Fellowship, which brought her to Silicon Valley, where she engaged with innovative founders and venture capital professionals in the area’s dynamic startup environment.

“The connections I’ve made have opened doors I never thought possible, helping me secure a full-time role in a Leadership Development Program where I’ll continue growing as a business leader,” Emily added. “Whether it was through the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, the Accelerate Leadership Center, or the Faculty Lunches, I had access to guidance that shaped me into a stronger leader.”

Launch Your Leadership Path Today 

Carnegie Mellon University’s MBA program is a premier MBA option for women, with a demonstrated history of preparing female professionals for industry leadership. Intimate class sizes guarantee individualized attention, while our extensive corporate partnerships create pathways to opportunities in consulting, financial services, technology, and other fields. Here, you’ll become part of an encouraging community of driven professionals who share your commitment to creating meaningful change through evidence-based leadership.

“An MBA can be a transformative experience, but the key is to stay true to yourself. You bring a unique perspective to the table, and that perspective is valuable,” Dinardo said. “Business school is a place to take risks, challenge yourself, and redefine what success looks like on your terms.”

Move forward in your leadership development. Explore CMU’s Full-Time MBA program and learn how you can merge analytical skills with advanced business knowledge to become the leader you’re destined to be.