Thirteen women from around the world have joined the IESE MBA Class of 2028 with full-tuition Laidlaw Scholarships. Their stories reveal what access, belief and community can make possible. This is Part one of a two part article.
What might change if financial barriers no longer stood between a talented woman and a world-class MBA? For the 13 women in IESE’s inaugural cohort of Laidlaw Scholars, that question is already becoming real.
Launched by IESE Business School and the Laidlaw Foundation, the Laidlaw Women’s MBA Scholarship Program awards full-tuition scholarships to outstanding women with strong academic and leadership potential and demonstrated financial need. The first scholars begin their IESE Full-Time MBA this September and arrive in Barcelona from across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Their experience spans engineering and manufacturing, technology and healthcare, consulting and finance, law, sustainability and social impact. Although their paths differ, many describe the scholarship in remarkably similar terms: access, confidence, responsibility and a powerful invitation to think bigger.
Making an MBA possible
The cost of an international MBA can prevent exceptional candidates from applying at all. For several scholars, the full-tuition award did more than influence their choice of school: it made the opportunity possible.
| “A full-tuition scholarship is the reason I can be here. Laidlaw’s investment is not only in me, but in the communities I come from and work in. I intend to honour it by opening doors that are typically closed, particularly for women in emerging economies.”
— Laura Harjanto, Indonesia |
Laura Harjanto has spent six years working in the nonprofit sector, most recently partnering with municipal governments in Indonesia to create more circular waste-management systems. She sees the MBA as an opportunity to test lessons from the field against business frameworks and develop practical responses to systemic environmental and social challenges.
For Peace Bosah, a Nigerian investment banker focused on energy and infrastructure, the scholarship is equally transformative.
| “Being selected as a Laidlaw Scholar has made an MBA at IESE possible in a way that simply would not have been before. Beyond the financial support, it is also a real vote of confidence.”
— Peace Bosah, Nigeria |
The freedom to dream with less fear
Financial freedom matters, but the scholars also speak about a less tangible change: permission to imagine a more ambitious future.
| “Being selected as a Laidlaw Scholar has given me the freedom to dream bigger. Instead of worrying about constraints, I can focus on exploring new opportunities, taking risks and fully embracing everything IESE has to offer.”
— Kara Han, Canada / China |
Kara Han moved from Inner Mongolia to Canada at 15 and later became a bioinformatician at a children’s hospital genome centre. At IESE, she hopes to move closer to the strategic decisions that determine which scientific problems receive attention and investment.
Milene Salcedo Orihuela, a Peruvian economist whose career has included investments, consulting, retail strategy and a leadership role at Special Olympics Chile, also knows what it means to hesitate before pursuing a long-held ambition.
| “The MBA had been on my mind since my first job, but every time I thought about doing it, I found a reason to wait. Looking back, I believe I was scared to dream so big. Scholarships like Laidlaw ease the financial burden and let us dream with less fear.”
— Milene Salcedo Orihuela, Peru |
For Milene, the scholarship also honours the women who made her own journey possible, especially her mother, who was widowed when Milene was two and remained determined to give her children an education.
Recognition and responsibility
Across the cohort, gratitude is closely linked to responsibility. The scholars do not see the award solely as recognition of past achievement; they see it as a commitment to widen opportunity for others.
| “As the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter, I saw first-hand the strength, resilience and sacrifices of the women who came before me. I hope my journey encourages other women to dream bigger, apply boldly and believe that they belong in the rooms where important decisions are made.”
— Norhan Fahmy, Egypt |
Norhan’s career has crossed consulting, marketing, innovation and sustainability. She chose IESE for the case method, its international community and its emphasis on responsible leadership—an environment in which different perspectives are not simply welcomed but essential to learning.
Aditi Soni, an Indian strategy and technology consultant, similarly describes the scholarship as recognition of leadership grounded in service rather than status.
| “To me, the Laidlaw Scholarship recognises a form of leadership rooted in service, reflection and long-term impact rather than visibility or titles. That resonates deeply with the kind of leader I aspire to be.”
— Aditi Soni, India |
Blessing Olutoye, a Nigerian finance professional who began her career in law, also sees the award as both encouragement and a commitment to others.
| “Being selected as a Laidlaw Scholar feels deeply affirming. It means being seen, supported and trusted at a point in my life when I am taking a big leap into something new. I see the scholarship as both a privilege and a responsibility to make the most of this opportunity and, in time, create opportunities for others as well.”
— Blessing Olutoye, Nigeria |
More than financial support
The Laidlaw experience extends beyond tuition. Scholars join a community of women committed to ethical leadership and positive impact. At IESE, they will also benefit from tailored career development, professional female mentorship, networking, leadership and communication workshops, and impact projects focused on sustainability and social responsibility.
That combination of access and community reflects a shared belief between IESE and the Laidlaw Foundation: talent should not be limited by financial circumstances, and leadership education should equip people to serve others.
For women who are wondering whether they have the right profile or whether an IESE MBA could truly be within reach, the inaugural scholars offer a clear message: do not rule yourself out before you begin. A bold application can be the first step towards opportunities that once seemed impossible.
Talk to our Admissions Team to learn more about the Laidlaw Women’s MBA Scholarship Program and the IESE Full-Time MBA, and take the next step towards the impact you want to create.
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