Five Voices. Four Pillars. One Vision for the Future of Business.

What does it mean to lead in a world that's changing faster than ever?

At the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, we believe the answer lies in four powerful ideas — artificial intelligence, leadership, diversity and empowerment.

We're handing the mic to five women who are shaping what business looks like next:

• Janie Chang, academic executive director, Master of Professional Accountancy Program
• Vanessa Errecarte, lecturer
• Shubhi Gupta MBA 26, vice president, Women in Leadership and Allies
• Jacqueline Romo, assistant director of student and academic services; program manager, Full-time MBA and Full-time MM
• Alex Svensson, director of MBA/MM recruitment and admissions

Women who challenge assumptions about technology, who listen before they lead, who turn diversity from a buzzword into real action, and who see potential in every student walking through the door.

They're not waiting for a seat at the table—they're building new ones.

In our Women in Leadership video series, you'll hear their voices, their perspectives and their vision for a future where the next generation of leaders looks like all of us.

I. Leadership

II.Diversity

III. Artificial Intelligence 

IV. Empowerment 

Video Series Transcript

I. Leadership

Vanessa Errecarte, lecturer

With all of the information we encounter, the most important part of leadership has always been listening.

Leadership isn’t something we should wait for—it’s something we cultivate in ourselves along the way.

Students are the people who drive so many wonderful initiatives and programs at the GSM. I want to know: What are students thinking when they come to the GSM? How do they want their lives to transform, and how can we help facilitate that?

Alex Svensson, director of MBA/MM recruitment and admissions

I’ve been able to develop more one-on-one connections with my students. I’ve seen them come in and share their dreams and goals—both for their careers and their personal fulfillment.

In admissions, we often meet you at the very beginning. We see that spark of potential. But watching you go through the program—grow, feel uncomfortable, and step into that challenge—shows the incredible transformation that happens here.

Seeing that growth and watching you step into your leadership is something we’re incredibly proud of, and we’re excited to cheer you on every step of the way.

II. Diversity

Vanessa Errecarte, lecturer

We have blind spots. Everybody has blind spots.

We may say we have diversity everywhere at the GSM—and we do. What makes that diversity special is that we actively seek those voices. So, rather than sitting in our own heads thinking we may have a blind spot and trying to imagine how someone else would think, we collaborate directly with that person.

That’s the difference between the idea of diversity and the action of it—what real impact diversity can make.

Alex Svensson, director of MBA/MM recruitment and admissions

When we think about business, we want to see leaders who represent who we are and how we look. That means seeing a leader who understands your viewpoint and has been where you’ve been.

When students begin to see those leaders in the businesses they work in or in academia, it makes a real difference. It allows them to say, “Oh, that person got to that step—maybe I can do it too.”

Now they have someone to look toward—someone who has broken through that glass ceiling. And that can be incredibly motivating for many students.

III. Artifical Intelligence (AI)

Alex Svensson, director of MBA/MM recruitment and admissions

AI can't be a leader, right? AI is programmed to think and analyze data, but it doesn't have the soft skills you need to be a true leader, to have empathy, to really understand the needs of your organization, of your team, of your clients.

It is not a person and it is not you. And having that potential to be you and to rise up to the challenge that we need in the future, AI is never going to be able to replace you.

Vanessa Errecarte, lecturer

AI is actually leveling the playing field. So for as nerve-wracking as it is, now AI is democratizing search in that instead of keywords, it lumps ideas and concepts together.

And if AI says, "Hey, this person's talking about this thing that people usually say this about, but they're saying this one distinctive thing as well, I should really listen to them," they get their own separate line on search. So now what we have to do as business leaders is just maintain that distinctiveness, that point of view, that helpfulness.

IV. Empowerment

Jacqueline Romo, assistant director of student and academic services and program manager for the full-time MBA and full-time Master of Management programs

I think diverse leadership here at the GSM actually creates a more welcoming environment for a diverse student body. I see students come into the GSM, and they start out thinking about leadership in one particular way and then seeing them become leaders themselves.

My students have epiphanies, they change their minds about things. What I see them leaving with is a tremendous amount of confidence.

And I always tell my students everything that you learn here at the GSM. Nobody can ever take it away from you.

Shubhi Gupta MBA 26, vice president, Women in Leadership and Allies

I always felt like being a leader, I have to be a part of a mold, this mold of a strong leader. While going through all the courses and talking to so many people, I realized that I never needed a mold. T

his next generation of leaders, they are going to be distinct. They are going to be different from each other. And that's how GSM has enabled us all to embrace our own internal beauties and not be afraid to lead.

Janie Chang, academic executive director, Master of Professional Accountancy Program

When I look at the next generation of students, they are really curious about new tools. They are already excited and want to become future business leaders. So it's important that a good leader will really listen and really encourage others to share their ideas. A good leader must be able to communicate well and having an environment that people feel they are empowered to really do their best.