In this episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, we’re spotlighting one of the most influential forces in expanding access to business education: the Forté Foundation. Our guest is Elissa Sangster, Forté’s CEO, who has spent her career championing women in business and building pathways into MBA programs and leadership roles. Before joining Forté, Elissa led the full-time MBA program at Texas McCombs and held key roles at Texas A&M, giving her deep insight into how prospective students discover — and ultimately succeed in — graduate management education.
Forté Foundation has been a pillar of community, mentorship, and early guidance in the MBA journey, supporting talent at every stage: helping undergraduates and early-career professionals explore business school, preparing applicants through programs like MBALaunch, empowering women during their MBA experience, and continuing that support through a growing global alumnae network.
Elissa joins host Graham Richmond to share her own path into the MBA world, what inspired her commitment to expanding opportunity, and how Forté’s mission has evolved. She digs into the impact of nearly half a billion dollars in Forté Fellow scholarships, the power of their flagship events like the MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, and the confidence-building programs that help women step into leadership with clarity and momentum. Elissa also looks ahead to the next generation of MBA women — and what gives her the most optimism about the future of business leadership.
Tune in here or your favorite podcast platform:
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This episode was hosted by Graham Richmond and produced by Dennis Crowley. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us!
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