Marilynn Walker Memorial Scholarship

I grew up in a family of strong women. They built new lives in a new country, worked tirelessly in their [male-dominated] fields, and raised families with more perseverance than recognition. Watching them, I learned early on that a woman’s path to success is rarely straightforward and that persistence doesn’t mean the road gets easier… it means you keep walking even when it’s all uphill. Their lives showed me the reality of being a woman, and more specifically, a woman in business. Women are often expected to prove themselves twice over: to be competent, but also likable; ambitious, but never “too ambitious.” Some ceilings aren’t just glass... they’re concrete reinforced by invisible biases, limited representation, and the constant pressure to balance opportunity with obligation. Watching the women in my family navigate those realities gave me a deep respect for their persistence, but also a determination to chart my own path differently. That’s why Marilynn Walker’s story struck me. In reading about her life, she didn’t just climb a ladder, she built rungs where none existed. From the ground floor as a key punch operator to becoming the first woman on the Board of Directors for Visa International, her journey was not just about advancement; it was about reimagining what was possible for women in business. Her story reminds me that higher education is more than a degree, it's a lever for change. It equips women to navigate systems not designed for them, and in doing so, it expands what’s possible for everyone who follows. Just as she leveraged her computer science background to reimagine global banking systems, I aim to utilize my MBA to reimagine how businesses grow, adapt, and include. My own career keeps reinforcing this perspective. From recruiting executives in the life-science sector to planning out-of-home campaigns, I’ve gained diverse experience that has broadened my view of how businesses operate. At the same time, being part of a company in the midst of its own transformation has shown me how strategy and leadership can shape bigger outcomes. It made me realize I want to move beyond the “ground floor” and play a bigger part in guiding change. Pursuing my MBA will help me build on this foundation and prepare me to lead organizations through transformation, not only driving results but also building systems, teams, and strategies that last. Higher education will shape my future in business by giving me the tools, frameworks, and confidence to lead with purpose. Just as Marilynn Walker left behind new rungs for others to climb, I want to use my MBA not only to advance my own career but to widen the path for women who follow. Persistence is powerful, but persistence with purpose is transformative. With this scholarship, I plan to carry that transformation forward in my career and in the organizations I serve.