Culture & Community

Women - Culture & Community - Executive MBA Formats

Executive MBA Women

Darden's Executive MBA program builds on a proven learning experience and immersive curriculum to develop leaders who are not only capable in the face of ambiguity — but also embrace the challenge.

Attend an Admissions Women's Virtual Coffee Chat

Darden is committed to recruiting women who want to positively impact the world, and empowering them for long-term success in whatever role they choose. The women in Darden's Executive MBA program represent a wide range of identities. They are parents, CEOs and leaders, partners, artists, Olympians, marketers, entrepreneurs and beyond. The support from Darden classmates and community members is truly unmatched. Learn more about our Executive MBA community and how we support women in the next stage of their career journey.

No. 1 Ranked Faculty

Yael-Still-Video

Meet Senior Associate Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne

Grushka-Cockayne is a master of project management and data science and the dean of professional degree programs at the School. But she’s also a shoe fanatic, running aficionado and lifelong friend of her students.

Our professors bring energy and enthusiasm to the classroom. You'll be surprised by how they make even the most technical business school topics compelling, entertaining and memorable.

A NEW Style of Support

A network for you, by you. Students play an integral role in shaping extracurricular life in Darden's Executive MBA program. Darden's Network for Executive Women (NEW) is a student-led organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in the program.

Learn more about the ways NEW empowers women at Darden to reach their full potential:

  1. Career Pathways Event Series
    Hosted by the Network of Executive Women, this webinar series focuses on areas that play pivotal roles in prospective students’ decision to pursue an Executive MBA program, including time management strategies and career outcomes.
  2. Podcast: Opportunities for Women MBAs
    Episode No. 140 of the ExecMBA Podcast features three former presidents of Darden's Network of Executive Women. They share insights about how the organization helped shape their Executive MBA experience and what led them to pursue a Darden MBA.

Throughout the year, NEW works to:

Sarah Powell
Sarah Powell, Class of 2022
Network of Executive Women President
  • Create an inclusive community and a sense of belonging among women in the Darden Executive MBA program
  • Connect female students and alumni through professional development, career support and networking opportunities
  • Advocate for an understanding around issues of gender equality, specifically related to women executives
Emily-Kelly-Still

Invest in Yourself: UVA Darden’s Executive MBA

Emily Kelly (EMBA ’20) shares how investing in herself through the Darden MBA helped grow her confidence that accelerated her career and development as a leader.

A Forté Partnership Means Even More Resources

At Darden, we are committed to promoting women's leadership, and since its inception have proudly partnered with Forté, a non-profit working to launch women into successful and significant careers. Through Forté's consortium of leading companies, top schools and pioneering donors, we empower women to rise higher. 

All women in UVA Darden's Executive MBA program receive a complimentary Forté Premium Access Pass membership, which includes access to:

  • Forté Job Center
  • Women Lead Monthly Speaker Series
  • Forté Business 360 Blog & Trending @ Forté
  • Powerful network of 100,000 women members and 130+ partner schools and premier employers