Kaplan and Forté Foundation Expand Collaboration to Strengthen the Pipeline of Women Business Leaders
MWN-AI** Summary
The Forté Foundation, a nonprofit focused on enhancing opportunities for women in business, has expanded its collaboration with Kaplan, a global education firm, to bolster the enrollment of women in MBA programs and their subsequent advancement in leadership roles. This partnership provides Forté members with exclusive discounts on GMAT® and GRE® prep courses offered by Manhattan Prep, powered by Kaplan. The initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers associated with test preparation, providing comprehensive academic support during the pivotal graduate school application phase.
Despite women constituting just over 40% of business school applicants—a figure unchanged for over a decade—many top MBA programs in the U.S. achieve gender parity, and the representation of women in Fortune 500 company leadership has recently reached new heights. To further assist prospective MBA candidates, Forté will also host Manhattan Prep courses at select in-person events nationwide, giving attendees full access to essential test prep resources. Additionally, Kaplan will offer webinars for the Forté community focused on simplifying the admissions testing journey through effective strategies and structured study plans.
Elissa Sangster, CEO of the Forté Foundation, emphasized the importance of strong GMAT or GRE scores in enhancing a candidate's application profile. She articulated that the collaboration is geared toward breaking down barriers for women in business, granting them the support needed to achieve their MBA aspirations. Amit Schlesinger, Kaplan’s executive director, remarked on the strength of the Forté community and reaffirmed his commitment to providing accessible, high-quality exam preparation.
For more information on this collaboration and resources available, visit the Forté Foundation and Kaplan websites.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent expansion of the collaboration between Forté Foundation and Kaplan presents a compelling investment opportunity, particularly as the focus on gender parity in business leadership intensifies. As MBA programs witness a rising interest among women—evidenced by the increasing number of successful female executives in Fortune 500 companies—the initiatives to remove barriers to entry through preparatory programs are timely and strategically advantageous.
From a market perspective, this partnership addresses a significant need: although women represent approximately 40% of MBA applicants, fostering an environment that encourages more women to pursue advanced business degrees is crucial. The exclusive savings offered on GMAT and GRE preparation through Manhattan Prep enhances the value proposition for prospective female candidates, making higher education more accessible amidst rising educational costs.
Investors should pay attention to Kaplan's positioning as a facilitator of educational access. By aligning with Forté's mission to empower women in business, Kaplan not only enhances its brand value but also taps into a growing segment of the educational market focused on diversity and inclusion. Companies that prioritize these values are likely to see increased commitment from consumers and potential hires.
Moreover, as businesses increasingly emphasize diversity in leadership—a trend reflecting broader social movements—the demand for educational programs tailored to underrepresented groups can drive growth for Kaplan. The strategic webinars and in-person events proposed in the partnership will likely bolster community engagement and brand loyalty, further enhancing Kaplan’s market share in the educational sector.
In conclusion, stakeholders should monitor developments in this collaboration closely. As the educational landscape evolves to meet the needs of diverse populations, investment opportunities in firms that prioritize inclusive practices, like Kaplan, may yield favorable long-term returns.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Forté Foundation, a nonprofit founded to increase opportunities for women in business leadership through access to business education and professional development, has broadened its partnership with global education company Kaplan to boost the number of women enrolled in MBA programs and support their advancement into business leadership. Through this collaboration, Forté members will receive exclusive savings on GMAT® and GRE® preparation programs from Manhattan Prep , powered by Kaplan. The partnership is designed to lower financial barriers to admissions preparation while providing rigorous academic support at a critical moment in the graduate school application process.
Globally, women continue to make up just over 40% of graduate business school applicants , a level that has held for more than a decade. Meanwhile, many of the most competitive MBA programs in the United States report gender parity and the number of women running Fortune 500 companies recently hit a new high.
In addition, Forté will offer courses from Manhattan Prep, powered by Kaplan, at select nationwide in-person forum events. These courses will provide full access to comprehensive test preparation programs, helping high-potential candidates take the next step in their MBA journey. Kaplan will also host dedicated webinars for the Forte community designed to demystify the admissions testing process. These sessions will provide practical test-taking strategies and structured study roadmaps that attendees can immediately implement.
Elissa Sangster, CEO, Forté Foundation, said:
“We want our community of prospective MBA students to be as competitive as possible in the application cycle, and we know that a great GMAT or GRE score only strengthens a candidate’s profile. We are pleased to provide access to top-tier instruction and resources through this partnership. Our goal is to remove barriers and open doors for women in business, and this collaboration ensures our members have the tools, confidence, and support they need to pursue their MBA goals with power and possibility.”
Amit Schlesinger, executive director, Kaplan, said:
“Forté has built one of the strongest communities of aspiring women leaders in business. Through this partnership, we are making high-quality GMAT and GRE preparation more accessible, while offering effective strategies and structured study plans that help candidates move forward with confidence. We’re proud to support Forté members as they pursue top MBA programs and long-term leadership careers.”
Forté members interested in enrolling in a Kaplan course can sign up using this portal .
Reporters interested in covering this partnership can contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com .
Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders.
About Forté
Forté is a nonprofit organization with the goal of achieving gender parity at all levels of business. Forté works closely with business schools, corporations, and universities to ensure women have access to opportunities at every stage of their careers. Forté offers a wide variety of resources, including MBA prep, professional development, leadership education, and a diverse community of successful women. Upcoming opportunities for incoming MBA women include MBA Takeoff, MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conference, and MBA Women’s Leadership Conference. For more information, visit fortefoundation.org .
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is a global education company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions helps students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retention, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.3 million students and professionals, 16,000 corporate clients, and 2,700 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com .
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260305981673/en/
Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com
FAQ**
How does the partnership between Forté Foundation and Kaplan aim to increase women’s enrollment in MBA programs while focusing on the goals of Graham Holdings Company GHC?
What specific financial barriers does the collaboration address for women pursuing graduate business education under Graham Holdings Company GHC's initiatives?
In what ways will the resources provided through the Forté and Kaplan partnership align with the educational mission of Graham Holdings Company GHC?
How can Forté members leverage the test preparation courses to enhance their MBA applications and support Graham Holdings Company GHC's vision for diversity in business leadership?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC).
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