Nthanda Manduwi pursued a STEM MBA at the Broad College of Business, Michigan State University as a a Forté Fellow, with a concentration in Marketing Management and Business Analytics. With a strong academic and professional foundation in entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and international development, this program offered the perfect opportunity for Nthanda to further hone her business acumen and expand her impact.
As part of the Class of 2026, Nthanda did not only immerse herself in the rigorous academic curriculum but also took on leadership roles within the university. She was selected as the Forté Ambassador for the year 2024 – 2025, and she was also the MBA Liaison for the Class of 2026 at the Russell Palmer Career Management Center.
2024-2026 Forté Fellowship and Ambassador
Nthanda was selected as a Forté Fellow, and she served as a 2024-2026 Forté MBA 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 served as a representative and advocate for Forté’s mission of advancing women into leadership roles. As an ambassador, she engaged with other female MBA students and professionals, share Forté’s resources, and actively participate in initiatives to support gender diversity in business. This role allowed 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.
2025-2026 President – Black MBA Association
As President of the Black MBA Association at Michigan State University, Nthanda Manduwi brought over a decade of leadership experience into a role grounded in equity, excellence, and strategic vision. She lead the association’s mission to foster community, cultivate talent, and champion representation for Black MBA candidates across industries. In this capacity, she oversaw strategic direction, drove cross-campus engagement, and developed partnerships with corporate leaders, alumni, and DEI advocates.
Nthanda’s presidency reflected her long-standing commitment to empowering underrepresented communities through systems-level change. Drawing on over a decade of entrepreneurial and nonprofit leadership, she brought a results-driven approach to advocacy — bridging lived experience, business acumen, and global perspective. Her tenure is marked by dynamic programming that advances professional development, celebrates culture, and expands career access — positioning the Black MBA Association not merely as a student organization, but as a pipeline of talent, innovation, and leadership excellence.
MBA Liaison for the Class of 2026 – Russell Palmer Career Management Center
In her role as the MBA Liaison, Nthanda joined a dynamic, high-energy team at the Russell Palmer Career Management Center. This then newly created position for first-year MBA students focused on building stronger connections between the Palmer Center and Broad MBA students. Her responsibilities included:
- 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 allowed Nthanda to further develop her leadership and communication skills while also ensuring her fellow MBA students had access to the best career resources. By the end of her time as Liaison, she had 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.
Graduate Teaching Assistant – School of Engineering
As part of her academic journey at Michigan State University, Nthanda Manduwi was appointed as a Teaching Assistant for the School of Engineering’s Applied Engineering Sciences (AES) program for the Spring 2025 semester. She assisted in teaching AES 410 under the supervision of Dr. Laura J. Genik, contributing to the School of Engineering’s mission by leading class sessions, holding office hours, and managing grading responsibilities. This position enabled Nthanda to deepen her engagement with the academic community and broaden her experience in education, aligning with her background in digital transformation and entrepreneurship.
Outcomes and Aspirations
The two year journey in East Lansing was filled with growth and discovery as Nthanda embarked on her exciting MBA journey. She 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 is now equipped with advanced business leadership skills, a robust professional network, and a portfolio of tangible contributions to both the Palmer Center, the Broad College of Business, the College of Engineering, and Michigan State University as a whole.
This opportunity marked another step toward Nthanda’s long-term goal of driving business innovation and development across Africa and beyond, leveraging her experience to bridge the gap between traditional industries and the digital economy. She looks forward to further knowledge, partnerships, and experiences that will shape her as a global leader beyond the Michigan State University.
Want to engage Ms. Manduwi as a speaker at your event, in other professional capacity? Get in touch.
Or email Ms. Manduwi: nthanda@kwathucentre.org
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