'You can't be what you can't see.' This powerful quote by Marian Wright Edelman captures why representation matters.
This quote resonates deeply with me because it was the examples of other women that finally gave me the courage to silence my imposter syndrome and apply for an MBA at Oxford. I had been thinking about pursuing an MBA for two years before I eventually applied. I’d reached middle management in my career and wanted to pursue an MBA to strengthen my leadership and strategic skills to accelerate my career into senior and executive roles. Despite this knowledge, the dream of pursuing an MBA at a top international business school seemed too big and unattainable.
My perspective shifted when one of my mentors pointed me to examples of women in her network that had completed their MBA internationally, this brought it closer to home for me. Hearing stories of other women who had completed their MBAs and more specifically, seeing Black South African women in the Oxford MBA allowed me to more clearly imagine myself pursuing an MBA at a top business school.
That is the power of representation: it is a catalyst that shows us what is possible.
The Laidlaw Women in Business Scholarship was established to address the continued underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions. By providing access to a world-class MBA, the Laidlaw Foundation empowers women to see themselves in C-Suite positions, it has shown women that is possible for them to be business leaders that are capable and enabled them to lead confidently.
Empowerment flows through representation. The scholarship has enabled women beyond its recipients to feel seen and represented. Malala Yousafzai said, 'I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.'
The same is true for us, the 2024–2025 Laidlaw Women in Business Scholars. Each of us represent more than ourselves . We represent countless women who will see themselves reflected in our journeys. Women that will see us and immediately see new possibilities for themselves.
- I represent women from rural parts of South Africa, women who grew up believing that the world is their oyster yet reached a ceiling in the belief of what is possible beyond the borders of the country. Mine is a journey that encourages women to never stop dreaming and believing for more.
- Harsha Sanyukta represents women from sectors that are often underrepresented in MBAs like education, public health and grassroots development. Her being at Oxford is a signal to many that purpose-driven work matters, and that there is space for those sectors at the highest tables of business and leadership.
- Tracy Tang represents millions of women who grew up under the poverty line, yet dared to dream. Her journey shows socioeconomically disadvantaged women that their background doesn’t define their potential for the future.
- Ajibola Bolanle Olamide represents talented and ambitious women from Nigeria, and across the African continent. Women that seize every opportunity and run with it, determined to fulfil their potential. For her, this scholarship reflects the vast potential that exists within Africa, especially among women, and highlights the power of collaboration, the relentless pursuit of knowledge, and a shared commitment to leading with impact.
- Maya Tanous, as an Arab woman from a small village in northern Israel, represents those navigating cultural, social, and economic constraints. Her journey is living proof that with resilience and support, it is possible to break through limitations and access global platforms.
- Surrayah Ahmad represents the over 1 million people in her community of Sabou Ibadan, where over 90% of the community do not get educated beyond secondary school. Being the only one that has ever studied abroad, is a great privilege and a powerful indicator to that community of what is possible.
- Sonal Raj represents women who may think of themselves as being too young to pursue big and audacious dreams such as an MBA at Oxford. She’s a reminder that sometimes you have to take bold steps and make important life-altering decisions at a young age without a safety net.
- Melissa Sanchez represents women from Latin America and the region. By organising the LATAM Summit, she not only brought visibility to Latin America within Oxford and the MBA community, but also demonstrated the influence and contributions the region can offer. The success of the summit is a powerful signal that the possibilities for future Latin American students at Oxford are endless.
- Mary May Furtado represents women who wear many hats, founder, mother, wife, and leader, all at once. She shows that women don’t need to choose between roles. There is no ceiling.
Representation has a ripple effect. Somewhere, a future MBA applicant will see one of our stories and begin to believe that Oxford ,or any top business school ,is not out of reach for them. They will recognise something familiar in our paths, and that recognition will plant a seed of what is possible. This is the impact of the Laidlaw Foundation, empowerment of women through representation.
To Lord Laidlaw, thank you for recognising the urgent need for more women in leadership, and being an ally that actively contributes to efforts aimed at increasing the representation of women in key leadership positions.
To CEO Susanna Kempe, thank you for your continued commitment towards empowering women through the scholarship as well as initiatives you are driving. This year, you have also championed the inaugural Laidlaw Women in Business board, a board that myself , Surrayah and Ajibola have the honour of sitting on. Through your efforts, we have an opportunity to start building our executive and board member muscles , actively putting the lessons we have learned in this MBA to work.
To the Laidlaw Foundation scholarship team at Saïd Business School, Amy Major, Stana Orihelova, Tammy Brophy , David Hall-Matthews and the entire SBS team thank you for believing in us and supporting us through the MBA journey. We are honoured and grateful to have been chosen from among many applicants. By spotlighting our stories, you have affirmed the power of representation and enabled us to become visible examples of what’s possible for many aspiring female applicants.
To my fellow Laidlaw scholars, I am so inspired by each of you and your commitment to sharing your stories so openly. Your commitment to building community has made this time in Oxford all the better. May you continue to lift others as you rise in your journeys, inspiring the many women you represent , those known and unknown.
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