In this article
- Learn about the value of a women’s business network when considering an MBA program.
- Find out how the top-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA empowers female students to accelerate their careers with the support to help them navigate challenges and find lasting success.
- See how programs like Women in Business, a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association, provide professional development and a sense of community.
Navigating a career isn’t easy, and women in business often face unique challenges. At Kelley Direct, we aim to make prospective female students’ life choices less daunting with our commitment to fostering women leaders in business, complete with the support and resources to help navigate challenges and find lasting success through our women’s business network. Women in Business, a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association (KDSLA), exists to enhance Kelley Direct students’ careers through community, mentorship, and professional development. The group ensures that women have a collective voice and influence in the business landscape.
One of the organization’s goals is to provide tools and workshops to enhance skills and professional capacity while laying a foundation for a powerful network of female business leaders. Women in Business brings people together to share experiences, insights, and strategies aimed at developing leadership skills. From mentorship programs and leadership workshops to exclusive access to industry leaders sharing their journeys, the association understands that women in business need more than just theoretical knowledge—they need guidance and real-world insights to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment.
For Prianka Raha, vice president of networking and events for Women in Business from June 2022 to May 2023, the practical career advice for women she has received through the organization has proved invaluable.
“We bring in top women leaders in business to tackle relevant topics like negotiation, for example,” Raha said. “We’re discussing how to handle tough conversations, ensure we demonstrate our true value, and earn what we deserve. To have leading experts across the table answering questions that will ultimately help you maximize your potential as a female leader is such a benefit.”
Women in Business also serves as a supportive environment where women feel empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. This sense of community is an essential complement to the classroom experience.
“We understand what it takes to run a family, be a full-time employee, and also be an MBA student,” Raha said. “We are there to understand what members are going through and share ways to overcome it. We’ve created a space where no one is judged, but rather they receive actionable insights that they can implement to solve whatever situation they’re facing. To have that kind of bond with each other is so important.”
We’re discussing how to handle tough conversations, ensure we demonstrate our true value, and earn what we deserve. To have leading experts across the table answering questions that will ultimately help you maximize your potential as a female leader is such a benefit.”
-Prianka Raha, Kelley Direct student and vice president of networking and events for the Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association Women in Business
While the group tailors its goals toward enhancing women’s careers through community mentorship and professional development, this women’s business network goes beyond professional networking. For Jeni Meiri, president of Women in Business, it’s also about hope and empowerment.
“To me, the association represents a collective force where ambitious women come together, not just to grow individually, but to uplift each other in a world that often presents unique challenges to women in business. Here, I see dreams nurtured, confidence built, and leadership skills honed. Every meeting, every event, every interaction is a testament to the incredible power of women supporting women.”
Every meeting, every event, every interaction is a testament to the incredible power of women supporting women.”
-Jeni Meiri, Kelley Direct student president for the Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association Women in Business
Student organizations like Women in Business make it possible for Kelley Direct Online MBA women students to build a thriving, supportive network in a new industry or expand their professional networks in their current industry. When researching professional organizations for women that MBA programs offer, ask about whether they include:
- Mentorship
- Professional development
- Networking events
- Informal social gatherings
- Connections with alumni
Also, consider the size of the program and its alumni network. In 2024, Kelley Direct is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, and as the original online MBA program from a top-tier school, it remains unique because of its ability to blend online and in-person immersive experiences that strengthen students’ connections. The program’s current enrollment of 1,400 includes professionals from every field, with students coming from 40 states and 12 countries.
Learn more about Women in Business, a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association