https://imd.widen.net/content/katrnura9j/svg/Degree-MBA-EMBA.svg?u=zewja0
A group of IMD EMBA women attending an alumni reunion - IMD Business School A group of IMD EMBA women attending an alumni reunion - IMD Business School A group of IMD EMBA women attending an alumni reunion - IMD Business School
Executive MBA
Women of the IMD EMBA
Executive MBA

Women of the IMD EMBA

Different voices. Better Leadership.

At IMD, we believe a class is only as strong as the range of people and perspectives inside it, and that diversity of thought, experience, and leadership style benefits everyone. Supporting women leaders is part of that conviction.

Future leader Program - IMD Business School
“Leadership positions still don’t reflect the population they serve, and business schools have a real role to play in closing that gap.  An Executive MBA is one of the most direct paths into those positions, opening access to boardrooms, senior management, and career changes that are hard to reach otherwise. I want every woman in this program to walk out with that access, and I want her to bring more women in behind her. That’s why representation in this EMBA matters to me.”

Alyson Meister

Dean of Degree Programs and Hilti Professor of Leadership

Community

A network of women navigating the same leadership tensions, with peers who’ve lived it and faculty researching it.

Funding

Scholarships built for women, and merit-based funding open to all.

Research

Faculty studying the real barriers women face, work that shapes how we teach.

IMD-EMBA-group of women participants discussing during a workshop - IMD Business School
IMD Women in Business Group
A supportive network

The Women in Business Group, part of the Inclusive Leadership alumni community, aims to foster a vibrant, action-oriented platform for IMD alumni to champion women’s advancement across industries, geographies, and career stages.

Scholarships for women in the IMD EMBA

We know that financing an Executive MBA can be a real barrier — and for many women, that barrier is compounded by career breaks or unequal pay history. IMD is committed to making sure exceptional women don’t opt out of this program for financial reasons by offering a number of partial scholarships based on both merit and financial need.

IMD EMBA Women Leaders Scholarship

Awarded to female leaders who have demonstrated professional achievements and an excellent track record in driving gender and viewpoint diversity within their professional organizations and society at large. 

IMD EMBA Diversity Scholarship

Awarded to exceptional candidates in order to increase professional and cultural heterogeneity in the program. 

IMD EMBA Excellence Scholarship

Awarded to exceptional candidates who have demonstrated leadership and professional achievements. 

If cost is a concern, we encourage you to apply. Many women who may have assumed an EMBA wasn’t in reach have been positively surprised. To apply, please complete the scholarship application in the Program section of your EMBA application form. Please contact [email protected] for any questions about scholarships.

From the newsroom to the boardroom: Leading with intention

Alumna Sharon Anderes (EMBA 2024) Global Communications Manager @ Nepresso, talks about how the IMD EMBA Women Leaders Scholarship helped silence her own imposter syndrome, and how today she pays that forward as co-lead of IMD’s Women in Business alumni group.

Women-centered academic partnerships

We partner with like-minded organizations around the world. Harnessing our combined knowledge and expertise, and bringing IMD’s innovative, entrepreneurial approach to bear on shared challenges, we strive together for positive change.

Real women. Real impact stories

EMBA alumnae speak candidly about what the program meant for their careers, their confidence, and the way they lead today.

In their own words

Every EMBA journey is unique, from the motivations for joining, the challenges along the way, to the aspirations afterward. What’s common is the transformative experience that each alumnae describes.  Here’s what a few of them have to say:

IMD EMBA alumna Shabnam Ebrahimi - IMD Business School

The IMD EMBA is intense, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. But what makes it truly transformational is the exceptional cohort – a constant source of challenge, perspective, and support.

Shabnam Ebrahimi, EMBA 2025 Director External Manufacturing @ AbbVie
IMD EMBA alumna Elfie Bogaerts - IMD Business School

Many people assume that an  EMBA is simply not feasible when you already have a demanding job and family life. For context, I started the EMBA when my daughter was 4 months old, with 2 other children and a full-time job. I won’t deny it’s intense, but when you’re truly motivated you discover resources you didn’t know you had.

Elfie Bogaerts, EMBA 2021 Head of Supply Chain @ United Machining Solutions
IMD EMBA Alumna Anne Grajoszex - IMD Business School

The EMBA’s structure allowed me to continue working 100% while still stepping back from the day-to-day operations to gain a broader and more strategic perspective.”

Anne Grajoszex, EMBA 2024 Chief of Staff @ Pictet Wealth Management
IMD EMBA alumni Adriana Kiedierska-Mencfeld - IMD Business School

Every assignment was an opportunity to bring a real challenge from my company into the classroom and take a sharper answer back. That continuous loop of learning and application is what made the difference.

Adriana Kiedierska-Mencfeld, EMBA 2025 CEO, President of the Management Board @ Rezon Bio
IMD-EMBA-alumni-Shanta-Yocum - IMD Business School

I came to IMD to learn more in business, strategy, and innovation, while adding in the complex perspectives of geo-political scenarios and cultural differences.

Shanta Yocum, EMBA 2026 Senior Business Operations Manager @ Nestlé
IMD EMBA alumna Lauren Nan - IMD Business School

It was a transformative experience – one that challenged my thinking, stretched my limits, and reshaped the way I see leadership, strategy, and impact.

Lauren Nan, EMBA 2026 Senior Advisor – Private Wealth @ Finakey SA
IMD EMBA alumna Caroline Schwär - IMD Business School

Working in the pharmaceutical industry felt like being in a bubble; IMD helped me to break that bubble and get some input from the outside.

Caroline Schwär, EMBA 2025 Senior Director, Global Marketing Operations @ GSK
IMD EMBA alumna Stephanie Herzog - IMD Business School

I have an engineering , so I joined the IMD EMBA to gain business skills that I hadn’t been exposed to before. It was the small class size and international approach that really resonated with me.

Stephanie Herzog, EMBA 2024 Head of Private Wealth Management Operations @ Goldman Sachs
IMD-EMBA-alumni-Sharon Anderes - IMD Business School

The IMD EMBA gave me a holistic view of the business, so I could not only bring my perspective but understand that of others and contribute to the strategic discussion.

Sharon Anderes, EMBA 2024 Global Corporate Communications Manager @ Nestlé Nespresso
IMD EMBA alumna Sally Beh - IMD Business School

The modules and learning were highly actionable; frameworks and tools that I could apply real-time in my firm. I’ve transformed from being an operational kind of leader to a strategic leader.

Sally Beh, EMBA 2022 Managing Partner @ Ace & Company
IMD EMBA alumna Mia Meyer - IMD Business School

The IMD EMBA connected me to other people who also have this growth mindset, which is a huge asset. I used the network, I got the jobs I was hoping for, so it all paid off. I had a really great ROI.

Mia Meyer, EMBA 2021 Head of Human Resources @ Eraneos
IMD EMBA alumna Lucy Han - IMD Business School

The EMBA was transformative. It gave me the business insight and self-confidence to rise as an Asian woman in a competitive, global arena.

Lucy Han, EMBA 2016 Executive Vice-President @ ABB
1/12