When I was evaluating MBA programs, I prioritized a community where I would be encouraged to unapologetically be my best, authentic, Black self. After attending UCLA Anderson’s Embracing Diversity Week as a prospective student, I knew Anderson was that place for me. Things came full circle two years and two EDWs later when I had the honor of kicking off our Embracing Diversity conference alongside Dean Gary Fraser. Addressing a room full of diverse candidates inspired me to continue to drive change and to think fearlessly in the communities I serve. A personal highlight has been serving the Anderson community as the first Black male student body president, an opportunity and a responsibility I don’t take lightly. In this role, I work closely with other student leaders to redefine what it means to be equitable, diverse and inclusive at Anderson. There’s no place I’d rather call home.
Kendall Brown (’23)
President, Anderson Student Association
One of the hallmarks of scholarship is accepting and embracing the notion that the more knowledge and experience one acquires, the more there is to learn and understand. As dean, I’m especially grateful for Anderson’s Black community — students, alumni, faculty, staff and donors — for their guidance, for contributing to our ongoing conversations regarding equity, diversity and inclusion, and for their leadership as we channel conversation into actions. Of equal importance is how, amid tumultuous national and global events, the community inspired and welcomed allies in the essential work of achieving social justice. Progress comes only when we all work together as partners.
Tony Bernardo
Dean and John E. Anderson Chair in Management
Mitchella Gilbert (’21)
Co-Founder and CEO, OYA Femtech Apparel
Alumna, Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson
Mitchella Gilbert is an inclusive product designer, fitness enthusiast and champion of underserved consumers and entrepreneurs. They came to UCLA Anderson to launch a fashion startup and graduated a 2020 John Wooden Leadership Fellow and headline-grabber. Inspired by a goddess, OYA is the first athleisure brand to prioritize feminine health in a non-stigmatizing way. In 2023, Gilbert raised $1.3 million to scale OYA following an oversubscribed pre-seed round. They are a member of the inaugural cohort in the Navigate equity funding program of REI’s Path Ahead Ventures.
Most Disruptive MBA Startups: OYA Femtech Apparel
Tech Accelerator Elevates Black and Latinx Founders
Meet Mitchella Gilbert (’21), John Wooden Leadership Fellow and CEO and founder of OYA Femtech Apparel. As a robotics coach to high schoolers and later as a human capital consultant at Deloitte, she worked hard — and worked out even harder.
UCLA Anderson’s Real Estate Concentration Drew this U.S. Marine
Poor Valuations or Poor Strategy?
Now She Thinks Fearlessly
The 2023 Grammys Have Been Awarded, and Bruins Scored — Again
The Impressionist
Opportunity for Individual and Collective Growth
An Exemplary MBA Leader, Now a Business Program Manager
Adding Value to UCLA Anderson’s Community
Taste in the Making
SoFi Stadium as Case Study for Los Angeles
UCLA Doctor Earned an Anderson EMBA for Her Patients
Double Bruin Family Man, Edupreneur, Investor
The Voice of FEMBA series provides a glimpse into the Anderson community in the words of the people who are shaping it
UCLA Anderson believes strongly that business schools and the wider business world must become more diverse. To that end, we have created the Pathway Guidance Program, a pipeline development program aimed at supporting future business leaders from diverse backgrounds. We believe that Anderson is well-positioned to lead in this effort and that there is boundless value created when we bring people together across identities, experiences, worldviews and values. The goal of this pilot program: To make progress toward a truly inclusive and equitable business landscape by building a more diverse pool of business school applicants, providing greater opportunity and genuinely sharing success.
campus and initiatives.
BBRC cultivates and inspires the Black and African diaspora community on campus.
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management in reduces significant underrepresentation in business education and leadership.
City Year Los Angeles
"The team conducted a rigorous analysis and offered invaluable insight to our nonprofit, helping us identify practical next steps for operationalizing a key strategy initiative. It was a pleasure working with the consultants and we look forward to putting their recommendation into action!"
— Oxana Ermolova, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships
Connie Knight (’98)
Head of Multicultural Content Partnerships, YouTube
Recycle Santa Fe
— Sarah Pierpont, Director
Segun Aluko ('19)
Business Affairs Executive, William Morris Endeavor
Gene Alston (MBA/J.D. ’97)
VP of Marketing Partnerships, Facebook
YMCA Burbank
— Mary Cutone, CEO
Tazia Middleton ('18)
Certified Financial Planner
— Tazia Middleton ('18)