In support of women’s advancement in business, Ivey proudly welcomes 41 Forté Fellows for 2025-2026, surpassing last year’s total and marking the School’s largest and most diverse cohort yet.
Selected for their leadership and dedication to empowering women in business, this group exemplifies the mission of the Forté Foundation: to launch women into meaningful careers through business education, professional development, and a global network of women leaders.
A growing presence
For the first time, Ivey extended Forté Fellowship eligibility to applicants of the Accelerated MBA for Ivey HBA Graduates. Three women from the Accelerated MBA (July 2025 intake) – Cherry Qian, HBA ’19, Lucksha Srirangarajan, HBA ’21, and Artika Pahargarh, HBA ’22 – received the designation.
They join a dynamic group in the full-time MBA program, which already has 40 per cent of the cohort self-identifying as women – the highest ever in Ivey’s MBA program. Many of the Fellows are active in initiatives like the Women in Management (WIM) club or Pass the Glass, which advance equity at Ivey.
"Forté brings together a community of women who share a commitment to fostering equity, elevating underrepresented voices, and supporting one another,” said Forté Fellow and Pass the Glass Senator Cherry Qian. “I look forward to contributing to this empowering community by helping shape a more inclusive and representative future in business.”
Impact through community
Several Fellows attended the Forté MBA Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado, this June, where they connected with global leaders and refined their visions for inclusive leadership.
“It was energizing,” said Lauren Suliteanu. “Being part of Ivey’s largest-ever [Forté] cohort exemplifies our shared momentum for impact. I’m energized to bring that experience back to enrich the Ivey community and beyond.”
Kirtika Chetty emphasized the Fellowship’s power to connect purpose-driven women.
“The Forté Fellowship at Ivey has connected me to a powerful network of women who lead with purpose and authenticity,” she said. “Being part of this community has inspired me to champion inclusion on campus, share what I’ve learned, and support future women leaders through mentorship and collaboration.”
And Tolu Michaels, Co-President of MBA Student Ambassadors, reflected on the responsibility that comes with the title.
“This is both an honour and a responsibility: a call to lead boldly, a reminder that every time I show up, I’m not just demonstrating what’s possible; I’m giving others permission to do the same,” she said. “Forté Fellowship is advancing a world where women’s leadership is not the exception, but the norm.”
Leading change at Ivey and beyond
Many Forté Fellows are leading efforts to amplify women’s voices in business. Maro Egbedi, WIM Vice-President, called the Fellowship a “monumental milestone” that enables her to champion women-led businesses.
“Forté offers access to shared experiences, mentorship, and opportunities to meet women who want to create a significant impact. It creates a space where women empower one another to lead confidently and challenge the status quo,” she said.
Brooklyn Williamson, a registered nurse, Team Canada Synchronized Skating alum, and CrossFit athlete, sees her Fellowship as a bridge between business and health care.
“Being part of the Forté network is important to me as an aspiring health-care leader because it connects me with a community of driven women who are creating impact across industries and have inspired me through sharing their candid experiences,” she said.
Namita Tyagi added that the Fellowship connects her with a global network of driven women who’ve broken barriers.
“Many of them have made bold strides in their fields, and their journeys are deeply inspiring,” she said. “Listening to their stories, learning how they overcame challenges and led with purpose, motivates me to keep pushing boundaries. It also validates the work I have done for women's advancement and opens new doors for learning and growth.”
Equity-focused student leadership
Fellows like Judith Osemeke (WIM Co-President), Maro Egbedi (WIM Vice-President), Rhea Ghotgalkar, and Cherry Qian (both Pass the Glass Senators) are leading key equity initiatives that connect MBA students with industry mentors and alumni. Their work reflects the cohort’s deep commitment to building inclusive, supportive networks for future women leaders.
Recognizing the full cohort
This year’s 41 Forté Fellows represent diverse industries, backgrounds, and geographies. The cohort includes: Princess Adeniran, Ishani Adityan, Dolamu Asipa, Melissa Bhakri, Kirtika Chetty, Avneet Chohan, Rutuja Desai, Bella Natasha Diego, Valentina Efionayi, Maro Egbedi, May El Damatty, Jennifer Estrada, Rhea Ghotgalkar, Elisabeth Iannucci, Samira Jain, Ishi Khamesra, Ramandeep Lally, Miranda Lee, Angelita Martin, Tolu Michaels, Ramnik Minhas, Aliya Nazeer, Heidi Ng, Judith Osemeke, Silvia Pacheco Diaz, Artika Pahargarh, Khushi Patel, Aanal Patel, Cherry Qian, Shreya Ranch, Fatima Rufai, Sangeetha Sambamoorthy, Lucksha Srirangarajan, Lauren Suliteanu, Namita Tyagi, Arnima Varshney, Yiling Wang, Brooklyn Williamson, Damfoa Yeboah, Erin Yeung, and Sabrina Yu.
Looking ahead
Ivey's Forté Fellows will continue building momentum this fall at the Virtual MBA Leadership Conference on September 12 – another opportunity to connect, learn, and lead.
Top row (l-r): Brooklyn Williamson, Lauren Suliteanu, Tolu Michaels; Bottom row (l-r): Namita Tyagi, Cherry Qian, Kirtika Chetty, Maro Egbedi
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