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Women's Circle

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Women's Circle group photo

Mission

The Women's Circle, encompassing all Columbia Business School alumnae, is dedicated to promoting and inspiring women in business by cultivating an engaged and supportive community across the School. It is committed to supporting CBS alumnae throughout the many phases of their personal and professional lives and advocating for equity in business leadership.

Vision

The vision of the Columbia Business School Women’s Circle is that through executing our mission, CBS will have the strongest alumnae community of any business school.

Join us on LinkedIn

Alumna Spotlight, Yvonne Fung

Yvonne Fung

 

Yvonne Fung (class of '18) is a Strategic Customer Success Leader at Miro, an online collaborative whiteboard platform. Yvonne transitioned from management consulting to the tech industry after completing her MBA. Born and raised in New York, she brings a distinctly perceptive approach to understanding client needs—a skill she attributes partly to her longtime habit of people-watching throughout the city.

One of my favorite memories from my time at CBS is studying and working with my classmates in Watson Library. The assignments were tough but tackling them together in that space created friendships that have lasted beyond my time at CBS.

Since graduating from CBS in 2018, I have taken on several new roles, including Strategic Customer Success Leader for a productivity platform, and becoming a parent.

When I'm not at work you will find me building Magnatile towers with my son, nestled on the couch reading a book on my Kindle, or going out for a run while listening to a podcast.

My ideal Sunday afternoon includes a workout, meeting up with friends for lunch, taking my kids to the park, and heading home to a home-cooked meal with my family.

The last book I read and loved was The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In the book, Haidt tackles how technology is reshaping our mental landscape, especially for young people. This book helped me think about our collective relationship with technology and how we might create healthier boundaries for ourselves and for others.

My favorite things to do and see in New York are Broadway shows and people watching in the great concrete jungle. There’s a lot to see.

The best trip I've taken recently was to Turkey. History is everywhere you look—ancient ruins next to bustling modern life. What really stood out was how welcoming everyone was. Not to mention the food—each meal was an adventure of flavors and textures. As I traveled around the country, I was amazed by how the landscape kept changing—coastal Mediterranean vibes in one region, then almost lunar landscapes in another. My biggest regret was not having more time to continue my exploration.

And the place I'd like to go next is Peru. I’d like to experience Machu Picchu firsthand – it’s something that a friend and I have talked about seeing for years. Something else that interests me about Peru is how the country packs so much biodiversity into one place, from the rainforest to stunning mountain ranges to coastal areas, all within reach. Then there’s the cultural tapestry that’s still so vibrant today.

The most helpful career advice I ever received was from a mentor and former manager who told me that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Your work matters, but sometimes it needs your voice behind it.

The most impactful life lesson I ever received was to always make space for friends and family. Work deadlines will come and go, but the connections we nurture and the memories we create with those closest to us are irreplaceable.

One piece of advice I'd offer for maintaining a healthy work-life balance is to establish clear boundaries around your time. Most work matters aren’t true emergencies and can wait until morning. It’s not about being unresponsive – it’s about being intentional with your availability.

I think aspiring professionals in my field should know that opportunities are everywhere, you just need to be open to meeting new people and nurturing the relationships that you have.

Something I learned at CBS that significantly influences my approach to business is how to connect with people from different backgrounds. Beneath our varying opinions, most of us want similar things—success, respect, meaning—we just have different ideas of achieving these. When I meet someone with opposing views, I now look for those shared values rather than focus on our differences. It's changed how I negotiate, build teams, and solve problems. Instead of seeing differences as roadblocks, I see them as opportunities to create more robust solutions.

If I could spend the day with one famous woman from history, it would be Malala Yousafzai. A contemporary choice, but someone who will no doubt fill history books for generations to come. What I find most remarkable is her ability to transform trauma into meaningful advocacy without losing her humanity or hope. She shows that real impact comes not just from boldness but from an unwavering commitment to principles even in the face of opposition. Her story reminds me that the most powerful voices often emerge from those who have the most reason to remain silent.

Alumnae Voices

Coach's Corner

Renu Lala Vitale

Renu Lala Vitale

CWC Board Member and Executive Coach, Renu Vitale, fields your burning career questions. Renu is a member of the CBS Sanford C. Bernstein and Co. Center for Leadership & Ethics coaching program, and has been helping clients develop winning strategies and make better decisions for over 20 years. To submit your career question for consideration, email Renu at [email protected]. Please include Coach's Corner in the subject line.

Question: I have been looking to make a career pivot for months now. I have a background in a creative field, but I'm looking for a job in a more secure and lucrative industry. I've been landing interviews at top finance and consulting firms, but repeatedly, after months of interviews and positive feedback, I get rejected in the final round. Why am I having trouble actually landing the job? How can I get a more positive outcome? 

From,
Stuck at the Final Round

 

Response: Dear Stuck at the Final Round,

I understand how disheartening it is to make it so far in an interview process and not get the offer. Clearly, you’re making a strong impression - and several rounds of success with multiple companies means that your skills and suitability are not in question. But when you reach the final round, something shifts. My guess? Both you and your interviewers sense a hesitation: Is this actually the right fit? Not because you aren’t capable, but because deep down, part of you may not be fully on board.

You come from a creative background—likely internally driven by your natural curiosity and affinities. Now, you’re pivoting to a field that offers more stability and financial upside. That makes sense, but here’s something to consider: those are externally driven outcomes. If the work itself doesn’t resonate with you, that disconnect is going to come through—whether you realize it or not.

A Quick Exercise to Find Clarity

Here’s something to try:

Print out the job descriptions for the roles where you made it to the final round.

Grab three highlighters—pink, yellow, and green.

  • Pink: Tasks you love and/or excel at
  • Yellow: Tasks you could learn, don’t mind, or feel neutral about
  • Green: Tasks you’re not qualified for or would dread doing

Step back and look at the results. If most of the description is yellow and green, you may be trying to force a fit that just isn’t there. If it is mostly pink, then I suspect you are still showing up to that last interview believing your job is to prove yourself.

By that last interview, you have enough evidence to know you bring value to the table - so your job in that last round is to show up recognizing that you are an asset and sharing that value through conversations as though you have the job. This powerful shift will give them the confidence to move forward with you.

But given how different finance and consulting are from each other and from a creative field, I am willing to bet that your pages will be more green and yellow than pink.

How to Move Forward if Misaligned 

Do the same exercise with roles that actually interest you. Which ones have more pink and yellow? And here’s the real question: Why aren’t you considering those roles? Do you assume they won’t pay well? Is it that they aren’t “serious” enough? That’s worth exploring.

The qualities that got you this far in your career, as well as to those final interview rounds, are the same ones that will help you succeed in a role that actually fits. Freeing yourself to align with what you care about will also enable you to be more engaged in finding opportunities to grow financially in ways you may not have considered yet. When you get to the final round for something that genuinely excites and energizes you, you won’t feel like you have to prove yourself—you’ll already know you belong there, and so will they.

Try the exercise and see what you discover. I’d love to hear what comes up for you!

Shoutouts

Women's Circle Shoutouts

 

  • Michelle Gaines '16 welcomed her second child Rory on Jan. 5. He was a little early but already 9lbs 1oz and thriving.
  • Emily O'Halloran '07 recently joined the board of the Inspire Mexico Foundation. It provides a Youth Center in Los Cabos Mexico for kids and teens so they can access essential resources, educational support, and enriching activities.
  • Yvonne Fung '18 welcomed daughter Cora on February 11. She arrived with a strong pair of lungs and a kick that will knock anyone out.
  • Holly MacDonald '08, will become CEO of Bessemer Trust when the current CEO retires in early 2026. She is presently Chief Investment Officer at Bessemer.
  • Jennifer Prosek '99, Founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, has been named to Observer's 2025 PR Power List.
  • Christine Alemany '04, was recognized as one of the 30 most influential Fintech Marketers by Fintech Marketing Hub. These influential Fintech Marketers were chosen based on their degree of influence and achievements over the past year, including ability to shape trends and inspire others.  
  • Aynat Ravin '01, was selected as one of the "Top 100 Women in the Technology Industry for 2024" by King Street Ventures (KSV). Advising start-ups as well as female founders is a personal passion of hers. 
  • Jaycee Pribulsky '01, was promoted last year to Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike.
  • Gretchen Meyer '11, President & Founder, Gretchen Meyer Financial, was selected to join LPL’s Ambassador Council. Only 60 individuals out of about 22,000 advisors are a part of this group and only 30 openings per year are available.
  • Onika Williams '18, is now the head of Meta Elevate, which is focused on accelerating economic success for SMB entities of color.

Please share your achievements with us! Email [email protected] with “Shoutouts” in the subject line or post on our Women’s Circle LinkedIn Group

Alumna Spotlight

Events Hub

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Womens Circle Events

 

Event planning for 2025 is underway! Please check back for postings.

 

Regional Connections

To learn more about CBS Alumna events in your region or to host a regional event contact:

  • Teresa Farmaki [ email ] - CBS Alumni Club of London Women’s Network
  • Amy Fong [ email ] - Alumni Club of Hong Kong Women’s Initiative
  • Diane Malcomson [ email ] - CBS Women’s Circle Boston
  • Aynat Ravin [ email ] - CBS Women’s Circle Washington DC
  • Jennifer Villarina [ email ] - CBS Women’s Circle San Francisco Bay Area

If you’d like to host a Women’s Circle event in a region not listed here contact Jennifer Villarina 

Past Events

Mini Golf Event for Washington DC Alumni sponsored by CBS Women’s Circle

DC Alumni came out to meet and compete for the best mini golf score.  

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 6-8PM
Location: Swingers, 1330 19th St NW, Washington, DC

 

CBS Women’s Circle Night at City Vineyard

CBS Alumnae and members of the Women’s Circle Board met and mingled at one of the city’s most vibrant wine bars on the water.  

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 6-8PM
Location: City Vineyards, 233 West St, New York, NY 

 

Unlocking the Power Circle: A Women’s Circle After Hours Event

A dynamic panel discussion featuring women who have reached the top of their industries, turned adversity into opportunity, owned their value, and led with confidence.

Panelists included:

  • Leslie Feldman CBS ’94, Managing Director of Eureka Capital Markets, LLC
  • Nita Sanger CBS ’96, CEO of Idea Innovate Consulting
  • Elizabeth Butler, National President of Healthcare Banking at Valley Bank
  • Ana Alfonso, Partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
  • Courtney Johnson, CBS ’21 moderated the discussion

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Location: Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 

 

Sustainability in the Corporate Landscape: A Women's Circle After Hours Event

An intimate discussion between Women’s Circle Board Director Jaycee Pribulsky ’01, Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike, and Ashia Johnson ’18, Human Rights Manager at Amazon.

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Location: Zoom

 

Women's Circle Virtual Speed Networking Event

Featuring special guest Maryam Banikarim ’93 on the topic of career acceleration.

Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
​Location: Zoom

Meet the Board

Women's Circle Board


The Women’s Circle is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 20 alumnae dedicated to increasing alumna engagement. Their efforts include providing career development learning across all life stages, programming focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology, as well as fundraising.

Board Directory

Board Briefing

On October 22nd, we gathered for our Fall Board Meeting at the stunning offices of Prosek Partners. That same evening, we were thrilled to host a sold-out alumnae event, CBS Women’s Circle Night at City Vineyard.

It’s been two years since the re-launch of the Women’s Circle, and we are excited to see the growing momentum. This year, we’re focused on engaging more of you, fostering supportive communities, and inspiring and empowering our alumnae.

One of our key initiatives is the development of a comprehensive digital strategy, in collaboration with Prosek Partners. This effort will enhance our digital marketing outreach and includes the upcoming launch of a monthly email newsletter, which will begin in January 2025.

Last year, we hosted 10 Women’s Circle events, with over 800 registrations and more than 350 attendees. The enthusiasm from our alumnae has been outstanding, and this year the Board is aiming to host between 10 and 15 events.

We will continue our popular Speed Networking Events, tailored to various life and career stages, as well as our After Hours sessions focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. Events will be held virtually as well as in person in key markets, including Washington, D.C., the Bay Area, Boston, Hong Kong, London, and of course, New York City.

As we move forward, we’re committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Look out for another update following our March 2025 Board Meeting.

Warm regards,

Emily O’Halloran
Co-President, Columbia Business School Women’s Circle

Jennifer Prosek
Co-President, Columbia Business School Women’s Circle

Get Involved

Get Involved with Women's Circle

 

Interested in becoming more involved with the Women's Circle? There are many ways to lean in with us.

Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter

  • Subscribe

Join us on LinkedIn

  • Join our LinkedIn page

Volunteer on a Board Committee

  • Contact Emily O’Halloran

Host a Regional Women's Circle Event

  • Contact Jennifer Villarina

The Women's Circle is funded by the CBS Annual Fund. Thank you for your contributions!

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