The Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) Fellowship, in collaboration with business schools nationwide, including the Ross School of Business, has awarded this year’s fellowships to Stephanie Chan and Yasin Taghvaee, both from MBA class of ’25. This initiative champions and empowers future LGBTQIA2S+ business leaders, providing recipients with scholarships and unique leadership programming.
Stephanie Chan: A first-generation student from Asia, Chan has overcome a lack of community resources to support and uplift her LGBTQIA2S+ peers. She envisions engaging with those Ross students who feel marginalized and aims to foster an environment where everyone can embrace their authentic selves. Chan, who previously worked in a diversity-friendly company in Asia, is driven to increase LGBTQIA2S+ awareness in business. She is especially excited about nurturing an inclusive community at Ross, allowing members from all over the globe to exchange ideas and perspectives. Chan is also taking steps to promote the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Hong Kong and Macao by initiating social media outreach and planning community events.
Yasin Taghvaee: An advocate from Tehran, Iran, Taghvaee has been in the vanguard, supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community in a region where homosexuality is criminalized. He has written articles raising awareness about the political climate in the Middle East. At Ross, he aims to emphasize that being a part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community is not a limitation and that their potential is boundless. Driven by a passion for enacting positive change, Taghvaee was drawn to the ROMBA Fellowship as it aligns with his personal and professional ambitions. He is eager to connect with like-minded individuals at Ross, aiming to foster LGBTQIA2S+ rights and opportunities.
Both fellows highlighted the warmth and inclusivity of the Ross community, which played a significant role in their decisions to pursue their MBAs there. Through the ROMBA Fellowship, they hope to leave a lasting positive impact on their communities and the broader world.
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