Eller MBA Honors Women Who Shine

Feb. 16, 2021

On February 5, Eller MBA hosted the inaugural Women Who Shine event to celebrate outstanding female students and alumni from each of the five Eller MBA platforms. 

Directors of the Eller MBA platforms nominated individuals who are highly engaged with the college and community, excel academically and exemplify what it means to be a leader. 

Nominations were then reviewed by the Women Who Shine committee, which consists of Eller students and staff from all disciplines and programs. 

“Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles in business,” says Marisa Carpenter, associate director of MBA alumni engagement initiatives. “Our Women Who Shine event is for all women who have taken the first step—earning an MBA—toward advancing their careers, developing as leaders and most importantly—supporting one another as women." 

The following individuals received awards during the event: 

North Star award—awarded to second-year MBA students in each program. 

  • Nicole Simi ’21  

  • Emily Earl ’21 

  • Mindy Holmes ’21 

  • Christina Harris Smith ’21 

  • Kara De Zubeldia ’21 

Guiding Lights award—awarded to MBA alumni and community members. 

  • Courtney Rogers ’15 

  • Kristy Ruiz ’09 

  • Marcia Mintz ’13 

  • Ankita Mishra ’18 

  • Josephine Corder ’17 

  • Trina Callie, senior manager of program manager development and certification at Raytheon 

All first-year students were recognized with a Rising Star award. 

“We often talk about the ‘accomplished businesswoman’ as an ideal to embody one day,” says Renee Reynolds ’22, one of the Rising Star award recipients. “With an event like Women Who Shine, I was able to see accomplished women, hear their stories and recognize them individually. For me, that's how we inspire each other.” 

“We are honored to bring these women together to celebrate their accomplishments, inspire future MBA students and business leaders and to motivate more women to uplift and mentor each other,” says Carpenter. The next event will be held in Spring 2022.  

View a recording of the event.