Women in business: changing the landscape with Feryal Erhun

A diverse faculty and leadership community 

At Cambridge Judge Business School, the mission to build a diverse faculty and leadership community is a priority, but there is still much progress to be made – especially when it comes to women in business leadership. Professor Feryal Erhun, the new Academic Director of the Wo+Men’s Leadership Centre, is determined to change this landscape. 

Professor Erhun brings passion to her new role. “The plus sign in our Centre’s name is crucial. It signifies inclusion and collaboration – we’re all in this together. While it’s sobering that such efforts are still necessary, the more we prioritise diversity, the better we make the environment for everyone.” 

An academic journey to Cambridge

Raised in Ankara, Turkey, Professor Erhun’s love for mathematics and science was nurtured from an early age. “In Turkey, there is a strong culture of valuing knowledge. I was a bit of a maths geek, but my gender never felt like a barrier. I was respected for my skills.” 

Her academic journey began with a degree in Industrial Engineering at Bilkent University, Turkey, where she thrived in a competitive environment. Of 50 students per cohort, fewer than 15 were women, yet she excelled among the country’s brightest. “I stayed on to complete my master’s degree at Bilkent to be thoroughly prepared before pursuing education abroad. In my family, education was always seen as the key to a better future.” 

Her path took a pivotal turn when she moved to the US for a PhD in Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on supply chain management. It was there she first felt the isolation of being a woman in STEM. “I realised that being a female PhD student in STEM was not the norm. Fortunately, I had a mentor – a trailblazing woman, who supported me and helped me build a network.” This feeling of isolation resurfaced during her first academic role as a faculty member in the Department of Management Science & Engineering at Stanford University, further highlighting the persistent challenges women face in male-dominated fields. 

Championing work experience and support systems for MBA students 

Today, Professor Erhun encourages prospective MBA students to gain work experience before embarking on their studies. “An MBA isn’t traditional classroom learning. It’s immersive, collaborative, and requires confidence to ask for help and draw on others’ strengths.” 

She particularly emphasises the importance of women overcoming the perception that seeking help is a weakness. “It’s actually a strength. Being confident in your knowledge allows you to ask meaningful questions and welcome feedback. Conflict isn’t a problem if it’s rooted in purposeful dialogue.” 

Having taught primarily Executive MBA students, Professor Erhun is now preparing to teach MBA courses as well. Her personal experience juggling professional responsibilities and childcare lends her a deep understanding of the challenges many students face. “I’ve taught classes with my children sitting in the back of the room when childcare arrangements fell through. These realities underscore the need for institutional and societal support.” Yet this support is often lacking. “One of our MBA students had to leave her 2-year-old back home while she completed her degree.” This should not be a trade-off any parent should face.

Driving diversity and leadership through research and mentorship 

Her role at the Wo+Men’s Leadership Centre is driven by a desire to address systemic issues, including the pipeline problem that hinders women’s progress into senior roles. Yet she is inspired by the diverse backgrounds of students at Cambridge Judge and their willingness to share experiences. “Our EMBA students, for example, often give back by addressing the challenges of female leadership or researching women’s roles in global supply chains.” 

Professor Erhun’s wants to expand the research focus for the Centre to quantify women’s impact in operations and technology and advocating for transparency to promote best practices. She and her colleagues are also focused on securing funding for research into diversity in leadership, big data, and AI. “We aim to foster multi-disciplinary, practice-oriented, innovative thinking.” 

Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the importance of networks and support. “When I recently asked a prospective MBA student why they applied here, their response was telling: ‘I want to connect with others who share my ambitions – not just learn from the classes but build lasting relationships.’” 

Professor Erhun’s story is one of hard work, resilience, and determination. It is also a story of the power of meaningful support, mentorship and networks. Through the Wo+Men’s Leadership Centre, she hopes to empower others to seize their opportunities and rise as leaders. “It’s about knowledge and positioning yourself to make the most of it. I’m honoured to lead initiatives that foster leadership, networks, and research to drive meaningful change.”