Tepper School Announces Inaugural Cohort of Zenith Leadership Experience

The Tepper School of Business is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of Zenith, an innovative leadership experience for second-year MBA students offered through the Accelerate Leadership Center (ALC).

Zenith is made possible through the support of Keishi Hotsuki, MSIA ’89 and member of the Tepper School’s Business Board of Advisors. On November 6, Hotsuki joined cohort members, the Accelerate Leadership Center team, and faculty and staff on campus to celebrate the program’s official launch.

“Zenith represents the next evolution of leadership development at the Tepper School. I deeply appreciate the educational opportunities created by the Accelerated Leadership Center and its ability to harness interdisciplinarity—where ideas from diverse fields spark curiosity and unlock potential,” Hotsuki said. “This program is designed for exceptional MBA students who aspire to go beyond technical excellence and cultivate emotional intelligence—the capacity to connect with others authentically and lead with empathy. I believe that emotional intelligence is the single most important skill for long‑term career success.”

The program blends introspection, peer connection, and executive-level coaching to activate each participant’s unique leadership potential, providing the tools for deep self-reflection and adaptive leadership.

“Zenith builds on the strong analytical foundation of the Tepper School MBA while drawing inspiration from the creativity that defines Carnegie Mellon,” said Michelle Stoner, Senior Academic Program Manager and Zenith Lead. “That combination helps our students grow into leaders who can see connections across disciplines and drive meaningful change in any environment.”

The small, selective cohort format fosters an intimate learning community where students can explore their own complexity, strengthen trust, and refine their ability to influence and communicate.

“Zenith helps our students develop the trust, presence, and influence needed to navigate complex challenges,” said Rebecca Joyce, Executive Director of the ALC. “It’s a truly personalized experience that supports each participant’s growth as a leader, and we look forward to seeing all that this incredible group of students will accomplish.”

On November 14, the group gathered on campus for their first immersive experience, a curated program offered in partnership with the CMU Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion that meets students where they are, guiding them to lead with clarity, courage, and emotional intelligence in today’s complex environments.