My HBS Executive Education 'Advancing Women of Color in Leadership' experience

HBS Advancing Women of Color in Leadership schedule

In May 2023, I attended a hybrid Harvard Business School Executive Education 'Advancing Women of Color in Leadership' Program (formerly 'Women of Color Leadership Development Program'). Attending this program felt daunting at the time for several reasons: 1) I knew everyone would be senior in their careers and incredibly smart, 2) there was a lot of preparation required for this prestigious program (I’m working full-time and I have a business), and 3) I struggled with imposter syndrome. As the child of Cambodian refugees and the first in my family to attend college and get an MBA, I often felt like the “poor kid” who didn’t quite belong. With an intense week of in-person classes ahead, I worried, "Will someone realize I shouldn’t be here?" Spoiler: My point of view, ideas, and participation were well received! In my opinion, this program is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in corporate America, especially Managers and Senior Leaders. I could see this as a program that's offered at Microsoft where I work today.

One moment that stands out vividly was during a session on leadership biases. I recalled an instance early in my career when I raised a concern about representation in the workplace, only to be dismissed with, “Maybe you’re just being sensitive.” This program illuminated such experiences through rigorous research and reinforced strategies with real-world cases, validating my instincts and providing me with tools to articulate and address these issues confidently.

At a pivotal point in my career, I was weighing the decision to pursue my goal of becoming an executive at Microsoft or to fully invest in my side business (where I've brought in businesses like Food.com, Food Network, Disney Channel, Disney CPG, Sanrio & Hello Kitty (and/or a new business I haven't invested in yet). The actionable knowledge and insights I gained were applicable to both my corporate role and entrepreneurial endeavors. Walking through the historic Harvard campus, I felt like I was part of something greater than myself and experienced a surge of energy to continue pursuing both paths instead of choosing right now.

During this program, I also learned about the opportunity to earn Harvard Business School alumni status. I updated this blog post to include more on this topic!!

Thanks for reading,

Roxie

My program living group

Executive Program Class Photo