Mission Test
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.
Alumna Spotlight, Catherine de Luna
One of my favorite memories from my time at CBS is: We had our CWIB Board Dinner a few weeks ago and it reminded me just how lucky I have been to be a part of that community and to know so many accomplished, kind, and exceptional women.
Post graduation I plan to: I’m planning to spend some time with my family in Northern California and also continue networking and searching for my post-MBA role.
In my spare time you will find me: I love experimenting with new recipes in my very small kitchen.
My ideal Sunday afternoon would: I think reading in Central Park and then cooking dinner for friends sounds lovely.
The last book I read and loved was: I’m a massive Dolly Alderton fan so anything she writes! I have reread Ghosts three times.
My favorite things to do and see in [city] are: I really enjoy visiting the wide range of museums in New York. My favorites are Morgan Library and the Tenement Museum. I also love farmer’s markets, specifically the one by the Columbia campus on Thursdays.
My go-to snack right now is: Clio Yogurt Bars!
The best trip I've taken recently was to: I went to Southhampton, England with my mom over spring break. My grandfather came of age there during WWII and it was really special to see where he spent his childhood. I feel very lucky that the MBA afforded me the time to make the trip.
And the place I'd like to go next is: Anywhere in Ireland.
The most helpful career advice I ever received: Stay in your own lane, and try not to compare your failures or successes to others.
The most impactful life advice I ever received: You can change a lot of things with a positive attitude.
One of the biggest challenges new business school graduates are facing now is: I think the major challenge is managing attention. Especially with the integration of technology into nearly every aspect of our lives, it can be difficult to see the forest through the trees when we are inundated with so much information on a daily basis. I think MBAs will have to constantly recalibrate our attention spans as we become senior leaders.
Something I learned at CBS that will significantly influence my approach to business is: One of the best things about CBS is its diverse international community. As a result, I think interactions with my classmates really emphasized both the importance of a global mindset in business, and the value of understanding how workplaces operate outside of the US.
If I could spend the day with one famous woman from history it would be: I would spend a day with Nora Ephron. Her films and books are so quintessential New York, and I’d be fascinated to hear her perspective on how the city has changed and hear about the places that she loved.
Alumnae Voices
Coach's Corner
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’m graduating soon and feel pressure to prove myself in every room. How do I stand out so I can be trusted?
From,
Always Auditioning
Response: Dear Always Auditioning,
I recently gave my son some advice as I considered his transition as a transfer to the University of Chicago this fall. I told him to watch Ronald in Jury Duty.
And I’m sharing the same advice with you. If you have not seen the TV series, I am officially assigning it.
The premise is simple. Ronald thinks he has been selected as a juror in a documentary about jury duty. Everyone around him is an actor, the situations become increasingly absurd, and he has no idea the entire thing is built around him.
What looks, at first, to be farcical comedy keeps swaying back to center because Ronald does not become the fool. Instead, that becomes the lesson.
Ronald is not constantly trying to prove his worth. Nor is he angling for status or operating from a reputation management first viewpoint. Instead, he is leading from within. He is aware of his own internal compass, his values, and he uses those as guideposts to inform his behavior and choices. Most notably, he keeps his eye on his main duty as the jury foreman instead of getting distracted by insecurity.
In a world where getting a job can feel like six rounds with a bot, it is easy to believe success requires sharper packaging and constant proof that the contents match the label.
Don’t get me wrong. Of course your skills, experience and intelligence matter. But in the actual workplace, people experience your value through your how.
Do you notice what is needed? Do you make the person next to you better? Do you stay oriented toward the larger goal when insecurity tempts you to make it about you? Most importantly, do you trust your own voice and adhere to it?
At the beginning of a career, and frankly at every stage of a career, it is easy to treat every room as an audition. How am I landing? Did they notice me?
That kind of self-monitoring can pull you away from the work itself and even make you lose confidence in your own conviction. Because when you make intelligence the thing you are trying to prove, you can lose access to the thing that actually makes you valuable: judgment.
Ronald didn’t have an Ivy League degree telling him what to do in his moment of leadership. He had an unfiltered understanding of what the moment called for, and he trusted his values enough to act.
So yes, build your skills, be excellent, and know your stuff. But do not confuse showcasing your brilliance with being someone people trust. Be curious and generous. Take the work seriously without making every interaction a referendum on your worth.
Be like Ronald, and lead from within. Stay grounded in what situations need without getting distracted on how you are being perceived. Become the person people trust when the room gets weird.
Shoutouts
Congratulations to:
- Alexandra Ekpiken ('20) on her new position as Chief Operating Officer & Head of Capital Mobilization at GreenMax Capital Group, a fund management and advisory firm advancing sustainable development in emerging markets.
- Elizabeth Varghese (CBS ’07), former Women’s Circle Board member, was named one of the 100 Davos Women and recently appeared on ABC News Birmingham to discuss her book, Stellar Singularity: Navigating the Spacefaring Economy.
- Lorraine Marchand (CBS ’06) recently published No Fear, No Failure: Five Principles for Sustaining Growth Through Innovation, drawing on insights from 120 interviews with leaders — many of them fellow CBS alumni.
- Emily O’Halloran (CBS ’07), Women’s Circle Co-President, was appointed President of the Inspire Mexico Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for vulnerable children and youth in Los Cabos. She was also honored with the Hugh Derham Award for Service from Cretin-Derham Hall.
- Didem Ün Ateş, Chief Executive of Lotus AI. LotusAI has been named "The Best AI Advisory Award 2025 - UK" by the Wealth & Finance International Magazine.
- Michelle Gaines '16 welcomed her second child Rory on Jan. 5. He was a little early but already 9lbs 1oz and thriving.
- 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.
Please share your achievements with us! Email [email protected] with “Shoutouts” in the subject line or post on our Women’s Circle LinkedIn Group
Events Hub
Upcoming Events
Fall programming coming soon. Stay Tuned!
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
VIRTUAL - May 15, 2026
12-1pm: AI Technology in Your Life Featuring Vrinda Dabke ’07, VP of Global Technology Services for Total
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NEW YORK CITY - May 7, 2026,
6-8pm: Building With AI: From Storytelling to Real Products Featuring Silja Kim Bast ’14 (CBO, Breezm Eyewear), Sally Chung (AI Advisor, Parsons), and Meagan Dietz ’05 (Moderator)
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VIRTUAL - April 28, 2026
6-7pm EST: Leading Through Change: Reinventing Your Professional Path Featuring Anushka Salinas ’10 Featuring special guest Anushka Salinas ’10 (CEO, Nanit; former President & COO at Rent the Runway)
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VIRTUAL - April 23, 2026, 6-7pm: Career Conversations - Navigating the New Executive Job Search Featuring Tonya Berry ’05 in conversation with Andrea Henderson ’05 (Executive Talent Strategist at DHR Global)
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NEW YORK CITY - March 12, 2026, 6-9pm: AI Finds Her Voice | Women Leaders in AI Join the Women’s Circle as we mark International Women’s Day with a panel discussion and breakout sessions focused on leading through AI disruption.
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WASHINGTON DC - March 1, 2026, 1-3pm: Yoga, Snacks, Drinks, and Conversation Join fellow Columbia alumni on March 1st for a feel-good yoga session followed by snacks, drinks, and easy conversation. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just here for the vibes, this is your chance to stretch, sip, and meet new friends. Come for the yoga, stay for the community.
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VIRTUAL - February 24, 2026, 6-7pm EST: Pathways to Corporate Board Service Speed Networking event Join your fellow alumni in a virtual speed networking session after hearing from Maggie Benkert ’16 (Board and CEO Search and Assessment Professional, Russell Reynolds Associates) on the path to corporate board service.
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SAN FRANCISCO - February 12, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm: Leading in AI Featuring alumnae Daisy Cai ’10 Partner, B Capital, and May Wang ’21 Chair of CBS Bay Area Alumni Club.
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HONG KONG & VIRTUAL - November 4th, 6:30 pm, Two IFC, Hong Kong and Zoom - Speaker Panel: Women on Board featuring three accomplished alumnae serving on corporate boards.
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CHICAGO - November 6th, 5-7pm, The New Line Tavern - Join fellow Columbia Business School alumni for an evening of connection, conversation, and community.
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NEW YORK CITY - November 6th, 6-7:30pm, Columbia Business School - Path to Purpose an interactive workshop to reframe your career journey, realign with your values, and release expectations.
Meet the 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 Briefing
CBS Women’s Circle Board Meeting & Event Recap — March 25, 2026
We are delighted to share highlights from our last Board meeting held in New York City on March 25, 2026. It was an energizing and productive gathering, and we are excited about what lies ahead for our community.
Marquee Event Recap
In honor of International Women's Day, the Women's Circle hosted its inaugural Marquee Event in March — bringing together alumnae and guests in Midtown Manhattan for a compelling conversation on leadership in the age of AI. 175 alumnae and guests attended the panel discussion AI Finds Her Voice | Women Leaders in AI, followed by breakout discussions and a networking cocktail hour. The energy in the room was electric, and the response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. We are already building on the momentum, with planning for next year's event beginning this summer.
Programming & Events
By the end of our program year in June 2026, the Women's Circle will have hosted more than 20 events — a milestone that reflects the remarkable dedication of our board, committees, and community. We are proud of what we have built together.
Two series worth highlighting are our Speed Networking events and our AI Learning series — both virtual, both drawing together alumnae and subject matter experts for rich, engaging conversations. As we look ahead to next year, continuing to build on our AI programming theme will be a priority discussion this summer.
Columbia Women in Business (CWIB)
We are excited to deepen our connection with the next generation of CBS women. Several of our Board members will be attending the CWIB graduation brunch celebration in April, and we are planning another intimate CWIB dinner hosted by a Women's Circle Board member. These moments of connection between our alumnae network and current students are among the most meaningful things we do.
Board Member Social Hour
After the board meeting, our board member Halina Avery graciously opened her home to the group for an evening together. It was a warm and lively gathering and as you might expect, AI and current events dominated the conversation. We loved every minute of it.
Warm regards,
Emily O’Halloran ‘07
Co-President, Columbia Business School Women’s Circle
Aynat Ravin ‘01
Co-President, Columbia Business School Women’s Circle
Get Involved
Interested in becoming more involved with the Women's Circle? There are many ways to lean in with us.
Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter
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!