Community

Choosing the right MBA is a complex decision that incorporates elements like culture, location, size, business relationships, student community, supports for family, and much more. As the only top-ranked Full-time MBA program in the Seattle area, Foster has particularly strong relationships with the business community. Students build on these relationships while also creating community with faculty, alumni and one another – in and outside of the classroom.

When I think about the culture of Foster, two words come to mind: gratitude and grit. Foster takes pride in its collaborative environment, and I think an underlying contributor to this collaborative spirit is that students here are grateful – grateful to be part of this program, grateful for the diverse value their peers bring to the table, and grateful for the community that we share.

-Courtney Wenneborg | MBA Alumna Class of 2018

Connections to the Seattle business community

Business education at Foster leverages all Seattle has to offer, including deep relationships with iconic businesses and a vibrant entrepreneurial community. At Foster, you are exposed to the latest thinking and current real business challenges from leaders at powerhouse Seattle-based brands such as Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstrom, PACCAR, Boeing, Costco, T-Mobile, Tableau, Zillow and Expedia. Regardless of the company size or sector, you can find Foster MBA graduates at the center of the action. The connection between Foster and the Seattle business community creates fertile ground for students to find their own path. Check out Foster MBA hiring firms in the Northwest and beyond.

The Seattle Connection

Industry Leaders Help Foster Students Level Up Learning

The Foster School of Business is honored to introduce our newest affiliate faculty members—Michael Megalli, Etienne Patout, Jenne Pierce, Betsy…

Inclusion and Belonging at Foster

The Foster School is committed to building a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. Learn about Foster MBA diversity resources.

At Foster, my classmates represented an extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. I truly believe that this diversity of experiences represents the most precious opportunity to learn.

-Ammar Ejaz, MBA Alumnus Class of 2021

A Year of Celebrations and Growth

Reflecting on the 2023-24 academic year, one theme shines brightly: the vision of empowering our Foster community in a spirit…

Foster Alumni

Foster MBA alumni are out living their best lives by pursuing their dream careers. Read about Foster MBA alumni working at U.S. Soccer as Seattle prepares for the World Cup, leading AI at Expedia Group, or pursue a career in art.

If you’d like to hear firsthand about Foster’s connections to Seattle business, you can reach out to a Foster alum or current student.

A neuroscience PhD turned tech exec reflects on how the Foster Full-time MBA helped her become a strategic leader.Read More

Shiyi Pickrell Leads AI at Expedia Group. Her MBA Helped Get Her There.

Years of strategy, service, and study led Joe Castro from the Coast Guard to a front-row seat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Read More

Joe Castro’s Long Game: A Foster MBA, Career Pivot, and Dream Job at U.S. Soccer

Kimberly Chan discovers a new way to use her Foster education to connect with the community, one painted peony at a time.Read More

UW Foster Alum Kimberly Chan Brings Joyful Floral Art to Seattle’s Lake City

Clubs and Associations and Student Life

Foster is know for its tight-knit collaborative culture where students make each other better. Outside of the classroom, passions and interests unite as students enjoy the region’s active lifestyle and program activities, like the Challenge for Charity, or the many MBA special interest clubs.

The MBA Association (MBAA) at the Foster School of Business offers a wide variety of opportunities to engage, from Diversity clubs to Professional Associations and Extracurricular activities. As a member, you will have a chance to take part in all of the student-run events and activities, and make use of the countless resources that are made available by the MBAA. Through clubs, student participate in hackathons, practice for consulting interviews, volunteer or raise funds for non-profits, and make memories off campus.

Club Stories

In this Foster MBA Association feature, the ex presidents of Foster Creative Zharen Gonzales and shared details about the club, their involvement and tips for current and future leadershipRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: Foster Creative

Foster MBA students explore and engage with the cross-border and cross-cultural business issues that are increasingly relevant in today’s worldRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: Global Business Association

Finance Society brings together Foster MBA students for networking, recruiting events, and industry engagementRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: Finance Society

Foster Faculty

Our world-class faculty draw upon their cutting-edge research and current practices to create a relevant, engaging learning experience. When combined with on-campus visits from the impact of our study tours, company treks, and applied strategy projects, Foster students accelerate their learning by gaining real-world experience.

Foster’s faculty is one of the biggest strengths of the MBA program. Classroom dynamics exceeded my expectations: our professors are great at balancing lectures with experiential learning. Furthermore, they’re always available and willing to help in any way they can. They’re the best example of Foster’s intimate and collaborative culture. We’re lucky to have such a top-quality faculty.

-Milagros Peirano Valderrama | MBA Alumna | Class of 2021

Get to know Foster’s MBA faculty

Get to know Foster’s Professor of Accounting and Marguerite Reimers Endowed Faculty Fellow Elizabeth Blankespoor , who teaches the core accounting course for first year MBA students.Read More

UW Foster Faculty Spotlight: Elizabeth Blankespoor

Get to know Foster’s Professor of Management and Michael G. Foster Endowed Fellow, who teaches the core MBA course Ethical Leadership.Read More

UW Foster Faculty Spotlight: Ryan Fehr

Foster School of Business faculty David Tan was recently honored by Poets & Quants as one of the best 40 under 40 professors. In this in depth feature, David shares about his background, pedagogy, and advice for current and incoming MBA students.Read More