Elissa Sangster

CEO at Forte Foundation

Elissa Sangster serves as CEO of Forté and brings to the role extensive knowledge of issues affecting women’s abilities to seek, prepare for and attain business leadership positions, drawn from her prior experience as Assistant Dean and Director of the MBA Program at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. There she oversaw all activities related to the full-time McCombs MBA program including marketing, admissions, student services, and alumni relations. Before McCombs, Elissa was Assistant Director of the MBA Program at Texas A&M University’s Mays School of Business.

2025 Back to School

Elissa Sangster

CEO at Forte Foundation

Elissa Sangster serves as CEO of Forté and brings to the role extensive knowledge of issues affecting women’s abilities to seek, prepare for and attain business leadership positions, drawn from her prior experience as Assistant Dean and Director of the MBA Program at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. There she oversaw all activities related to the full-time McCombs MBA program including marketing, admissions, student services, and alumni relations. Before McCombs, Elissa was Assistant Director of the MBA Program at Texas A&M University’s Mays School of Business.

2025 Back to School
2025 Back to School Summit
Thursday, September 11, 2025
2:30 pm

Partners in Progress: The Shared Imperative for Business Schools and Employers to Support and Advance Women

The MBA has long been a conduit for professional growth; however, the career outcomes and trajectories of graduates reveal key inequities between women and men. In this session, we will explore findings from the latest Forté Foundation research on career satisfaction, leadership advancement, barriers to success, and compensation. QS's Business School Strategy Lead, Dr. Michelle Wieser and Forté CEO Elissa Sangster will join together with higher ed and corporate leaders to explore working together to close the gender gap and create more equitable outcomes for all.