It was the UN Women’s MBA scholarship program with the University of Sydney, offering full tuition fees for a maximum of four years’ part-time study.
“I’d previously looked at doing an MBA but I didn’t think I’d have the time, especially working full time in a finance career,” she says. “But when I saw this, I decided to float the idea by my employer, they supported it and I put in my application.”
Emma was surprised to learn she’d made it to the final five, and was invited to attend a series of interviews. After an anxious wait, she received the call letting her know she’d been successful, and would become the sixth woman to be offered the scholarship since its inception in 2014.
Emma is currently Finance Manager for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and has ambitions to move into more senior positions, including within her own organisation. She’s currently working in a sector-defining time for the CPA, with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and major shifts in how funding is distributed.
The NDIS gives more power and choice to those living with a disability to better choose the services they need, but in turn creates more competition in the sector. As such, Emma believes it’s now especially critical that organisations working in the field aim to improve the diversity of their leadership ranks, support the ambitions of all their employees, and ultimately improve their performance in the process.
She’s previously worked in auditing at EY, BDO and KPMG and decided to pursue a career with not-for-profits after a stint in a finance position in a technology company.
Her works fits well with the mission of the scholarship: which is to give women more education and tools to help them put in place polices, services and resources that can further aid gender equality and the empowerment of women, fitting with the belief that “when women are empowered, whole communities benefit.”
As UN Women NC Australia’s Executive Director, Janelle Weissman says, the scholarship aims to support women who not only have senior leadership potential, but also a willingness to help other women to achieve their potential.
A few months into the MBA program, Emma says so far the program’s taught her more about herself than anything else. She adds she’s surprised by the diversity of the students she’s working with, which gives her the opportunity to better learn from and tap into the knowledge of people working across vastly different sectors.
Women’s Agenda is working with the University of Sydney to call for more applications for the next UN Women MBA scholarship, with study commencing in August. Applications close this weekend on Sunday the 28th May. You can apply here.