“At Tepper, we are working toward a future where everyone has a voice, is supported, and has a sense of belonging,” Dean Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou said to 325 business school candidates at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.  

 

This past weekend, the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University hosted hundreds of business school candidates at the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) seminar. MLT provides MBA prep and coaching to prospective MBA students focusing on African Americans, Latinx, and Native Americans while preparing them to become senior leaders in business and social sector organizations. It has also created a thriving network of more than 10,000 diverse Rising Leaders and is fundamentally transforming the talent pipelines at more than 200 partner companies, nonprofits, and universities.

 

During the weekend seminar, candidates worked with their MLT coaches and admissions officers from member schools, which are top business schools that partner with MLT. Candidates worked on telling their personal and professional stories, while practicing and refining their networking skills. This was the first opportunity for this cohort to meet with the 32 member schools. 

 

After a full day of activities on Saturday, participants ventured from Carnegie Mellon University’s campus to Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. They enjoyed dinner and heard from Dean Bajeux and keynote speaker Malcolm Johnson, who is a Tepper MBA alumnus, real estate investment CEO, and former Pittsburgh Steeler. Johnson’s message to students: “Love yourself, be yourself, and build yourself.”

 

Tepper also welcomed several local Pittsburgh organizations to the seminar. These organizations bring expertise, resources, and networking opportunities:

For many participants, this was their first visit to Pittsburgh. Several students said they were pleasantly surprised by how much the Tepper School and Pittsburgh had to offer.

 

“We were thrilled to host this event to showcase everything our campus, city, and community can provide to students,” said J.R. McGrath, Executive Director, Masters Admissions from the Tepper School. “We are grateful to have had the opportunity to bring together hundreds of MLT fellows for such an important event, while also highlighting Pittsburgh as a thriving hub of innovation and culture.”

 

Throughout the weekend, candidates connected with industry leaders and accessed valuable mentorship opportunities. The impact of the seminar extends far beyond the event itself, as the skills and connections forged will shape the future of these candidates and the communities they represent.