Their paths to Ivey have taken them through oil fields in India, mining sites, investment banks across four continents, public health-care systems, tech companies, and mobile soup kitchens serving homeless trans women. But Ivey’s Forté Fellows in the MBA Class of 2027 share a common thread: each has seen what happens when women lack access, support, or a community that believes in them.
This year, Ivey welcomes its largest-ever cohort of 45 new Forté Fellows. As a partner school of the Forté Foundation, Ivey awards the prestigious Forté Fellowships to students recognized for exemplary leadership, diverse perspectives, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing women in business. The cohort also includes Ivey’s first Forté Fellow who identifies as male, recognizing the role allies can play in advancing women in leadership.
Seeing the barriers up close
For Surbhi Gunawat, that commitment grew out of experiences that repeated throughout her career as a geologist at India’s largest oil and gas company.
“I was often the only woman in the room during high-stakes exploration decisions. That experience taught me that advancing women isn’t just about getting a seat at the table, it’s about making sure they have the tools and confidence to own it,” she said. “Forté felt like the community that would understand exactly why that journey matters."
Jiamin Ren saw those barriers from another angle. Having worked in mining engineering, investment banking, and consulting across four continents, she said McKinsey’s research on the “broken rung” – the gap that limits women’s advancement early in their careers – became impossible to ignore.
“McKinsey’s research highlights that women enter the workforce highly educated, but face an immediate gap in accumulating ‘experience capital’ on the job,” she said. “My decision to pursue an MBA at Ivey as a Forté Fellow is a deliberate step to build that capital collectively, ensuring we build a network with the strategic risk-taking and mutual mentorship required to fix that ladder together.”
Sarah Edet reached a similar conclusion through years of advocacy in Nigerian communities, where she designed mentorship programs for adolescent girls and expanded sexual health education through Purple Pact, a youth-led initiative focused on reproductive health and gender equity.
“Potential is rarely the barrier. Access and support are,” she said.
In Forté, Edet recognized a community built on the same belief that has guided her work: women succeed when they have access to opportunity, mentorship, and networks that continue to champion them beyond the classroom.
What it means to belong
Working in the male-dominated technology sector, Mackenzie Xavier often questioned whether she truly belonged. Mentors and leaders helped her through those moments – support she now hopes to pay forward.
“During my time at Ivey, I hope to create that same sense of support for others by being someone my peers can rely on for encouragement, collaboration, and honest conversations about the challenges women still face in business,” she said. “I want to connect with like-minded individuals who not only recognize these disparities, but are also committed to creating more inclusive environments where women can succeed and lead.”
Brittney Canning’s career has spanned traditional finance and high-growth technology companies, shaping her understanding of what women need to succeed.
“I want to be the connective thread who helps other women see their potential, access the right resources, and build the confidence to go after what they want,” she said. “ The real power of Forté isn't just what happens during the MBA, it's the network of women who continue to lift each other up throughout their careers."
Advancing women is a shared responsibility
The Forté Foundation’s mission is to advance women in business, and the Fellowship recognizes that change also depends on allies and advocates.
This year, Collins Mathias became the first Forté Fellow at Ivey who identifies as male. He said his decision to apply was shaped by the women who influenced his life and leadership journey.
“Throughout my life and career, many of the people who challenged, supported, and advocated for me most intentionally have been women,” he said. “Those experiences shaped my belief that when women are empowered to lead and thrive, the ripple impact extends far beyond individuals to organizations, communities, and future generations.”
Accepting the Fellowship, he said, was also a chance to reflect on allyship in practice.
“Advancing women in business is a shared responsibility, not a women-only conversation,” he said. “I hope it encourages more men to actively support initiatives that advance women in business, not from a place of obligation but from a genuine understanding that diverse and inclusive leadership benefits organizations, communities, and society as a whole.”
Building on the progress of those before them
Michelle Rodriguez de Paz brings a perspective shaped by breaking barriers: as an independent animal rescuer, a community advocate for marginalized groups – including through mobile soup kitchens serving homeless trans women and LGBTQ+ individuals – and the first in her family to pursue graduate studies.
“My grandmother only completed Grade 2 of primary school, while I’m pursuing an MBA. That generational shift didn’t happen by accident. It happened because women before me fought for access, and I’m determined to extend that fight forward within the Forté community,” she said.
Emilie Smit - de Bree shares that view. Her exposure to Northwestern European companies with strong gender balance gives her both optimism about what’s possible and an appreciation for the women who helped create those opportunities.
"My predecessors worked incredibly hard to get us, as women, to where we are in the business world – fighting tooth and nail to allow some women to have a seat at the table," she said. "I'd like to become someone they can pass the baton to, so even more women have the opportunity."
Leading at Ivey and beyond
The Fellows are already stepping into leadership roles across Ivey’s student community. This year’s cohort includes club presidents and executives spanning the Women in Management Club, the BIPOC Club, the Health Sector Club, the International Business Club, the Real Estate Club, the Sustainability Club, the Technology Club, and the Energy and Resources Club, among others.
As Forté Foundation ambassadors, they will also connect with prospective students, participate in Foundation conferences and events, and help build the kind of community many described searching for earlier in their careers.
Recognizing the MBA Class of 2027 Forté Fellows
Ivey congratulates the following Forté Fellows in the MBA Class of 2027:
Nola Alabi, Fisayo Adeyemi, Esther Ajewole, Margaret Alatise, Dami Alex-Aina, Devapriya Anitha Sreekumar, Isabella Anwan, Muskaan Arora, Nora Arman, Maryam Ayoku, Umai Balendra, Omolade Bolaji, Hanane Boularbah, Brittney Canning, Gurleen Cheema, Ish Chawla, Inderjit Chhina, Ebi Claudius, Shriyaa Kaur Dheeran, Sarah Edet, Peace Erhobaga-Agofure, Isabela Estrada, Olayinka Fadire, Surbhi Gunawat, Kriti Gupta, Shannon Jiang, Karthika Karthika Kandamchangarath, Rubal Khatri, Aiyla Suhail Arshad Khan, Riya Khanna, Mehika Kumbhkarni, Collins Mathias, Mihika Mihika, Ifeoma Nwulu, Mayura Pamidimukkala, Tillie Pham, Jiamin Ren, Michelle Rodriguez de Paz, Laila Saili, Emilie Smit - de Bree, Tanya Singh, Isha Tiwari, Mackenzie Xavier, Simin Yang, and Yu Zhou.
