Foster School and Evans School students gain new perspectives on strategic leadership
Gloris Estrella – MPA ’15
The Board Fellows Program is a unique opportunity for Foster School of Business MBA students and Evans School of Public Policy and Governance MPA students to learn together as they explore the unique leadership role that comes from being a member of a board of directors. MBA and MPA students serve for nine months on a nonprofit board while participating in seminars that teach effective leadership and governance principles. Gloris Estrella – MPA ’15, reflects on her experience as a 2014-15 Board Fellow:
As a second year MPA student at the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, the Board Fellows Program offered by the Consulting and Business Development Center at the Foster School of Business proved to be invaluable to my development and career. The chance to sit on a nonprofit board seemed unreachable to me as a young professional, but the Board Fellows Program brought the opportunity within my grasp. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from and participating with the board I was selected to be part of, and was able to put classroom materials into play in a local organization whose mission I felt strongly about. It was also a fantastic opportunity to work with Foster School graduate students to make cross-sector connections in order to engage in addressing social issues in the Seattle area.
One of my favorite memories of the program was the day we had two guest speakers: one from the public and the other from the private sector. Their personal insight about their experiences on boards allowed me to better understand how to make a stronger impact on the board I was participating in. It encouraged me to step up and voice my opinions and offer more of my skills on the board. As a result, I was able to join the strategic plan subcommittee and provide a lasting impact on the future of the organization. Because of my active and positive participation, the Board Chair and Executive Director asked me to join the board as voting member following my allotted time as a Board Fellow. That opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the Consulting and Business Development Center and the Board Fellows Program.
