Broad College of Business | Michigan State University

Nthanda Manduwi is presently a Forté Fellow, pursuing a STEM MBA at the Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, with a focus on Supply Chain and Marketing Management. With a strong foundation in entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and international development, this program offers the perfect opportunity for Nthanda to further hone her business acumen and expand her impact.

As part of the Class of 2026, Nthanda is not only immersing herself in the rigorous academic curriculum but also taking on leadership roles within the university. She was selected as the Forté Ambassador for the year 2024 – 2025, and she is also the MBA Liaison for the Class of 2026 at the Russell Palmer Career Management Center.

Forté Fellowship and Ambassador Role

Nthanda was selected as a Forté Fellow and Forté Ambassador, prestigious distinctions awarded to high-achieving women pursuing an MBA who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a commitment to advancing women in business. As a Forté Fellow, Nthanda is part of a powerful network of women leaders, gaining access to invaluable career resources, mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate with other women driving change in business.

In her role as a Forté Ambassador, Nthanda will serve as a representative and advocate for Forté’s mission of advancing women into leadership roles. As an ambassador, she will engage with other female MBA students and professionals, share Forté’s resources, and actively participate in initiatives to support gender diversity in business. This role will allow her to not only benefit from Forté’s resources but also contribute to the broader goal of empowering more women to break barriers in leadership across industries.

MBA Liaison for the Class of 2026 – Russell Palmer Career Management Center

In her role as the MBA Liaison, Nthanda joins a dynamic, high-energy team at the Russell Palmer Career Management Center. This newly created position for first-year MBA students is focused on building stronger connections between the Palmer Center and Broad MBA students. Her responsibilities include:

Acting as a communication bridge between the Palmer Center and her MBA classmates by sharing hiring trends, feedback, and insights to help the Center adjust its programs for optimal career search outcomes.
Promoting Palmer Center programming, including career fairs, global events, and workshops, to the student body.
Encouraging attendance at events and ensuring classmates have the necessary information to make the most of Palmer resources.
Managing communications via social media platforms, Campus Groups, and regular newsletters to keep students informed about job opportunities, upcoming events, and campus resources.
Collaborating with MBA student organizations to foster partnerships and integrate Palmer programming into their initiatives.

This role allows Nthanda to further develop her leadership and communication skills while also ensuring her fellow MBA students have access to the best career resources. By the end of her time as Liaison, she hopes to have strengthened the relationship between the Palmer Center and the MBA cohort, improved career outcomes for her classmates, and contributed to the development of new career services initiatives.

Outcomes and Aspirations

The next two years will be filled with growth and discovery as Nthanda embarks on this exciting MBA journey. She aims to not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to the Broad College of Business and the broader Michigan State University community. Upon completion of her MBA, she envisions herself equipped with advanced business leadership skills, a robust professional network, and a portfolio of tangible contributions to both the Palmer Center and the Broad College of Business as a whole.

This opportunity marks another step toward Nthanda’s long-term goal of driving business innovation and development across Africa, leveraging her experience to bridge the gap between traditional industries and the digital economy. She looks forward to the knowledge, partnerships, and experiences that will shape her as a global leader during her time at Michigan State University.

Want to engage Ms. Manduwi as a speaker at your event, in other professional capacity? Get in touch.