Forté Women Business Leaders Conference in London brought together women from across industries, institutions, and career stages.

Designed with two tracks, one focused on early career talent and the other on MBA alumni and experienced professionals, the event created multiple entry points for learning and connection. Across the day, participants engaged in panels, workshops, mentor circles, and a career and education expo, moving between structured programming and open conversation.

Within that shared framework, three distinct experiences emerged: Reflection shaped by career distance traveled, presence rooted in active exploration, and intention focused on what comes next.

At Forté, leadership development does not happen in silos. It happens across stages, perspectives, and shared experiences.

Beth Awojobi, Associate Talent Sourcer, Gartner

For Beth Awojobi, attending the Forté Women Business Leaders Conference with Gartner marked a meaningful full-circle moment. Being in the room prompted reflection on an earlier stage of her journey, when she attended similar initiatives as a student, driven by curiosity, determination, and an aspiration for growth.

This time, Beth experienced the conference from a different vantage point. She found herself stepping into a more advisory role, recognizing that while she was still learning, she was also now in a position to help guide others. That shift served as a reminder that the pursuit of inclusivity is ongoing and evolves as careers progress. Reflecting on the day, Beth shared, “Role models who helped me, provided food for thought and clear direction, have allowed me to pass on these same tools to others.” She also expressed gratitude to Gartner and Forté for understanding this work as progressive and for continuing to invest in spaces that support women across the career journey

Connecting with women at different stages of their careers brought that realization into focus. Although some participants were earlier in their journeys and others more experienced, Beth noticed strong common threads across the room. As she described it, there was a shared sense of “womanhood, aspiration, and a hunger to be a lifelong learner,” regardless of career stage. Many of the conversations mirrored her own experiences, reinforcing how interconnected these paths can be.

Anvesha Dubey, MSc Business Analytics student, University of Glasgow

Anvesha Dubey attended the conference with a strong sense of curiosity. A current MSc Business Analytics student with a background in architecture, marketing, and entrepreneurship, she learned about the event through an email from London Business School, a school she has been actively considering as part of her future MBA journey.

What stood out immediately was the concentration of people and perspectives in the room. Rather than seeking out role models one conversation at a time, Anvesha found herself surrounded by women navigating different paths, career pivots, geographic moves, and leadership roles.

Hearing those stories in person reshaped how Anvesha thought about what was possible. One conversation in particular stayed with her, a leader who had successfully advocated for herself in ways Anvesha had never considered, making ambition feel tangible rather than abstract.

While London Business School was the anchor for her decision to attend, Anvesha also valued the opportunity to meet women affiliated with other leading programs, including EDHEC, Cambridge, and Oxford. The breadth of perspectives reinforced that there is no single path forward.

She left the conference energized and focused, with a clearer sense of what kinds of spaces and conversations she wants to seek out next.

Eleonora Santagada, Senior Engagement Lead, London Business School

From a host school perspective, the conference was about creating the right conditions for connection. For Eleonora Santagada, or Nory as she is known to colleagues, a Senior Engagement Lead at host London Business School, the goal was to bring talented women together to share experiences and begin building meaningful networks. Seeing that intention come to life made the day especially rewarding. Throughout the conference, Nory observed participants quickly moving beyond introductions into thoughtful, engaged conversation.

One moment that stood out was the panel discussion “Unstuck: Breaking Through Career Crossroads,” where the energy in the room and the quality of audience questions reflected deep engagement. A close second was the networking reception, where the pace of conversation made it clear that genuine connections were forming.

What struck Nory most was how readily participants stepped into new conversations, even when it felt unfamiliar. That openness, she noted, is what allows spaces like this to work.

Looking ahead, Nory hopes to build on that momentum through more structured mentor circles and opportunities for continued connection beyond the event.

A Shared Experience, A Connected Future

Each experience in the room was distinct, yet deeply connected. Reflection met exploration. Experience met aspiration. Institutions, member companies, and individuals came together not by chance, but by design.

By convening women across stages and roles in the same space, Forté continues to create environments where leadership development flows in every direction and where women can see themselves not only in the room, but on the path ahead.