Georgetown McDonough Launches EmpowerHER Program to Elevate Women in Business

Stepping into the role of a business leader takes determination, resilience, and support – qualities that EmpowerHER  aims to cultivate among Georgetown McDonough MBA students and alumnae. EmpowerHER is a community, launched with the mission to strengthen and elevate women in business by bringing women together to share their journeys, foster growth and development, and inspire one another.

The idea for EmpowerHER originated from the McDonough Alumni Advisory Committee (MAAC), which recognized a pressing need: a safe space where women can connect, share experiences, and support each other both personally and professionally. To meet this goal, the program hosts regular gatherings and events, such as panel discussions and lectures, that address the challenges women face in their careers and lives.

“Women face unique opportunities and challenges in business and throughout their lives,” said Elizabeth Ross-Ronchi (MBA’99), chair of the MAAC. “Having a platform like EmpowerHER provides space for women across different career stages to provide real stories and life hacks that can be serious difference-makers, if not life-changing, for other women with ambition.”

EmpowerHER will initially operate in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV area); New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania (Tri-State Area); and San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, California (Bay Area); in addition to Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; and Miami, Florida. Each region is supported by a regional chair and an event chair, serving two-year terms to facilitate local activities, foster connections, and ensure the program thrives at the community level.

“When I heard about the initiative and the opportunity to be part of the inaugural leadership team and help shape and advance the program’s success, I jumped at the chance,” said Kaitlyn Smith (MBA’20), national chair of EmpowerHER. “I work in an extremely male-dominated industry at a startup where women make up less than 15% of the team. Regardless of how supportive the team is, it’s an understatement to say that finding mentorship or support in such an environment is challenging, and I know this is true for many women.”

The first meeting hosted by EmpowerHER in D.C. featured keynote speaker Lisa Mayr (MBA’98), chief financial officer of Marigold, who shared personal and professional lessons she’s learned throughout her career journey. The event also included a networking hour where alumnae and students sought advice and support. Participants shared experiences, vulnerabilities, and concerns, including how to balance career ambitions with their personal lives and navigate professional transitions.

“We had such a great turnout and received incredibly positive feedback,” said Rupal Obaray (MBA’04), regional chair of EmpowerHER for the Tri-State Area. “I want to stress the importance of not just having a speaker talk to an audience about her career —  it’s about exploring the in-between. What drove her decisions? What failures did she encounter? How does having a family impact her career and what adjustments did she have to make at each parenting stage? It’s about the things that truly matter in her life.” 

The second meeting event hosted by the Tri-State EmpowerHER circle featured eminent panelists including Karen Snow (MBA ‘99), global head of listings at Nasdaq; Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham (MBA ‘00), national digital executive at Bank of America; Sheryn Weiss (MBA’07), chief marketing officer at Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal; and Beth Bracken (MBA ‘99), a beauty executive and co-founder of Camofleur.   

With EmpowerHER, Georgetown McDonough continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering inclusive leadership, empowering women to take meaningful steps, and ensuring every voice has the opportunity to shine.

“This program is about creating a network of women you can just pick up the phone, call and say, ‘I have this issue, I don’t know what to do,’ or ‘I know this person has experience transitioning into board positions, and I can call her for advice,’” said Obaray. “It’s like creating a family you can lean on for guidance. It’s about supporting women and saying, ‘You can do this. We’ve done it, and while there are challenges, you can overcome them too.’”

Sudipta Dasmohapatra, senior associate dean of MBA Programs, underscored the importance of EmpowerHER for Georgetown McDonough in developing the next generation of women leaders. 

“We are committed to empowering women at every stage of their journey,” said Dasmohapatra. “Through the EmpowerHER program, we aim to provide our alumni, students, and community members with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to become bold leaders, visionary innovators, and impactful changemakers. Together, we look forward to creating a space where women can thrive, break barriers, and leave a lasting legacy.”

Alumnae interested in EmpowerHER can learn more information on the program’s website and sign up to become a member.