Announcing our newest MBAchic Fellows at Brenau
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Welcoming our newest MBAchic Fellows
We were so excited to launch the MBAchic Fellowship at Brenau University in 2020. We celebrated our partnership with an epic residency in NYC, and have been a witness to the hard work and incredible collaboration of the inaugural class. It’s wonderful to work together and be part of the academic and professional journey of this trailblazing group. And it is an absolute thrill to renew the scholarship for 2021 and support the educational goals of members of the next cohort.
As the pandemic continued to disrupt everything, some considered business school for the first time or revisited MBA applications, taking that first step into their next adventure. Today, we get to announce our newest MBAchic Fellows for 2021 who are pursuing their EWMBA at Brenau University. Congratulations to Kristi Talley and Anne Stewart Forbes!
Kristi and Anne Stewart take classes with their fellow cohort members since kicking off their MBA journey at Brenau University last month. Over the next 20 months, the program will encourage, inspire and push the cohort to the next level of their already impressive careers. Thank you again to Brenau for your partnership!
We caught up with Kristi and Anne Stewart on the next step in their journey. They spoke about the power of knowing what you want and investing in yourself. We asked why the EWMBA makes sense now and they shared some advice for anyone considering it now.
Make time to improve because you are worth it.
— Kristi Talley, MBAchic Fellow
MBAchic: How did you determine right now was the right time to go to business school?
Kristi: I was already searching for a reputable MBA program to be a part of when I received an email from Jamie Cushway with the Executive Women’s MBA program. The email came at exactly the right time. I am currently working from home which gives me the ability to focus more on the required work assignments. I am thankful for that random email.
How did you decide that Brenau’s EWMBA was the right program for you?
I researched the program after speaking with Jamie. Immediately I liked the entire concept of residencies where you work closely with faculty and your classmates to build a deeper understanding of what is needed as a woman to do well in the corporate world. I also love the idea of networking and learning from current and former cohort members. The added bonus of the program is the featured speaker series of incredible “Thought Leaders” on Tuesdays. The Executive Women’s MBA Program at Brenau is the total package.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about business school right now?
I would tell anyone who is thinking about business school during this time to simply go for it. Make time to improve because you are worth it.
Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn and soon, on MBAchic!
One way to differentiate yourself and to increase your personal brand is by going back to school.
— Anne Stewart Forbes, MBAchic Fellow
MBAchic: How did you determine right now was the right time to go to business school?
Anne Stewart: I worked in the animal health pharmaceutical industry for 15+ years across multiple departments. In that time, I increased my skills around facilitation, project management, supporting systems and technology, and delivering presentations; but I had no on-the-job experience or training related to finance or economics. For several years, I’ve researched MBA programs with the goal of overcoming my corporate skills gaps, but I was unsure how I would manage the additional responsibility of school. When I began working from home in 2020 due to the global pandemic, I suddenly had an hour a day back to myself as a result of not commuting. With time available to me, and the desire to be more competitive within my company, I applied to the Brenau Women’s Executive MBA program.
How did you decide that Brenau’s EWMBA was the right program for you?
After researching multiple MBA programs and attending several online information sessions, the Brenau Women’s Executive MBA program surpassed all others. The team’s passion and excitement about the program is evident. This is more than a job; it’s a calling to raise up women in higher education. The program administrators celebrate and understand what it is to be a working woman, and they address those challenges directly. If I had to distill it down to one reason, it would be how they made me feel – like I would not be alone in my journey, but rather part of a group of hardworking, committed women who love what they do.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about business school right now?
As the impact of the global pandemic continues to put a strain on the economy, one way to differentiate yourself and to increase your personal brand is by going back to school. I began my MBA research by interviewing my team’s Human Resources partner and the head of my division. It was important to me to ask about the skill sets that they deem to be critical for advancement within my company. I interviewed co-workers who had completed MBA programs, and asked about their perceived career benefits. I interviewed co-workers that were currently in MBA programs, and asked about the level of effort and how they balanced work, life, and school. My advice would be to research multiple programs, paying attention to the teaching formats and the curriculum. Speak with program administrators, current students and alumni. Distill your options down to the one that is the best fit for you.
Connect with Anne Stewart on LinkedIn and soon, on MBAchic!
Congratulations to MBAchic Fellows Kristi and Anne Stewart. Thank you for letting us be a part of your professional and academic journey.
We cannot wait to see what you do at Brenau and beyond.
MBAchic x Brenau Executive Women’s MBA Scholarship
To learn more about Brenau’s EWMBA, read our interview with Brenau’s Dr. Juli Clay to learn more about the program, and visit their website here.
