Cultivating Influential and Inclusive Business Leaders at UCLA Anderson

UCLA Anderson students share success. It’s a hallmark of our culture to collaborate and support each other. Nowhere is this truer than in our student-led professional clubs.

When I enrolled at Anderson, I joined the leadership of the Women’s Business Connection because of my strong belief in its mission to cultivate a network of influential and inclusive business leaders. WBC supports the professional development of women and allies in Anderson’s MBA programs. Our work to champion gender equity and intersectionality has made a profound impact that extends across the entire UCLA campus.

As president of WBC, I keep our goal to advance women in business top of mind. WBC provides real opportunities to effect change at micro and macro levels. This year, we’ve stepped up our awareness of what it means to be inclusive, partnering with the school’s other identity and professional groups to host engaging events that appeal to a wider audience. Given that nearly 47% of Anderson students are international, plus my own passion for global management, we wanted to highlight the perspectives of our members with far-reaching cultural and professional experiences and encourage greater awareness of the issues affecting women worldwide.

We have Assistant Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heather Caruso to thank for initiating one of our newest collaborations. Last March, Dean Caruso invited Marysela Garza, our VP of operations for the annual Velocity Women’s Leadership Summit and VP of equity, diversity and inclusion for the Anderson Student Association, and me to join her at the U.S. Secretary of State’s 2023 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award celebration in downtown Los Angeles. The event honors 12 IWOC awardees for their exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality and social progress.

They are recognized for their significant contributions to the international community, which they often make at great personal sacrifice. They include people like Doris Ríos, who champions the rights, preservation and well-being among indigenous people in Costa Rica, and veteran Ethiopian journalist Meaza Mohammed, who has taken repeated risks to her own safety to demand accountability for gender-based violence and advocate for survivors. The 2023 ceremony was the first time in four years IWOC awardees were celebrated in person.

Rarely have I felt so inspired by a one-off event. Dean Caruso, Marysela and I agreed that the entire campus could benefit from exposure to the wisdom and influence of IWOC honorees.

On March 11, for the first time ever, UCLA will welcome the IWOC to campus. Katelyn Choe, the U.S. diplomat in residence for Southern California, will moderate a panel featuring three of the award recipients to discuss good governance, democratic values and government accountability across the world. WBC is thrilled to be partnering with Anderson’s Office of EDI and other university entities to help promote the event to the UCLA community — whose undergraduate student body comprises 60% women.

Along with anticipating the IWOC event on March 11, we are hard at work organizing this year’s Velocity conference, happening on March 15, 2024 — the midpoint of Women’s History Month. Velocity’s main purpose is to explore ideas for a more equitable future in business and society. Leaders across media, entertainment, finance and more will share insights to help us succeed in environments that are not always friendly to women. True to tradition, Velocity will inspire our passionate and forward-thinking community to continue its learning, growth, leadership and empowerment through all stages of life and career.

Mandel (left) with 2023 WBC president Fanny Pinoul (’23)

I developed a passion for women’s empowerment by leading networks and initiatives at my previous companies. Immediately before business school, I served as vice chairman for CBRE’s Tri-State Women’s Network, an in-house organization whose purpose is to advance women’s success through growth, connection, mentorship and advocacy. Even before coming to Anderson, I knew that I wanted to continue serving this cause by joining WBC.

The purpose of WBC is to develop transformative leaders who make a positive impact on business and society. That purpose and its effects on Anderson students and graduates will outlive the contribution of any single WBC board member. I recognize that my role as president is temporary — each successive WBC president must be a steward for change, bringing us closer to our collective vision for Anderson and for society.

Our Black Business Students Association leadership set the tone in February with the 2024 theme Better Together. “We as an Anderson community are better when all members are fully embraced, included and respected,” they wrote. Agreed! We are, in all cases, better together — better as women, better as allies, better as a campus.