As an MBA student at the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business in 1990, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba learned that strong leadership is not about the individual, but how much can be accomplished by working with others. Today, she continues to apply that philosophy as Botswana’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and mission to the European Union. This philosophy has been a guiding force in her life from Botswana to the world.
Masire-Mwamba returned to Pittsburgh to serve as an Executive-in-Residence for the Africa Business Initiative. This was her first visit back to the city since accepting the Pitt Business International Distinguished Alumna Award in 2015. During her September 20-22, 2023 visit, she met with area residents, Pitt faculty, staff, and students to showcase the importance of new perspectives in education and business.
Her itinerary included a meeting with representatives from the mayor’s office (see below for a list of attendees); an international festival at Woodland Hills High School; a Pitt Business leadership breakfast; and a fireside-chat-style session about her work as an ambassador and her time in education with the Pitt community, which can be viewed here.
Paul T. Harper, the Pitt Business associate dean for Inclusion, Engagement, and International Affairs who leads the Africa Business Initiative, said: “It is hard to overstate the significance of the Ambassador’s tenure as an Executive-in-Residence. The program is designed to give our community access to female executives from the African continent to learn about their diverse pathways to success. Masire-Mwamba embodies that aspiration, having achieved high positions in both political and economic arenas. Pitt Business is proud to have her as a distinguished alumna.”
Impact of Initiative
The Africa Business Initiative, announced in April 2023 as an extension of the University’s Pitt Embraces Africa effort, is designed to raise the visibility of African business leadership and achievement in business school networks. The first Executive-in-Residence was human rights leader, Wendy Orr, MD who led unity efforts after the fall of apartheid in South Africa. Masire-Mwamba noted that she was excited to see the impact that new and different perspectives could have on the school and its students.
“All of us have a great responsibility and opportunity to listen to points of view from across the range of humanity,” she said.
According to Masire-Mwamba, the value of the initiative is in those new shared perspectives. “Things in the world are constantly changing and it is important to pay attention to changes in all corners of the world.” She believes that this initiative can expose business students to people and ideas that they would not have access to otherwise.
Throughout her time on campus, Masire-Mwamba highlighted the importance of women’s leadership in global business and diplomacy. She inspired women to not let societal expectations stand in their way and to harness their confidence and courage to be a positive force of change. Pitt Business staff members Jennifer Petrie-Wyman and Katelan Hudson noted the impact of Masire-Mwamba’s inclusive leadership on students and staff.
“It was exciting and motivational to see such an esteemed alumna positively elevate the importance of gender equity in leadership at Pitt, in our city of Pittsburgh, and on the global stage,” Petrie-Wyman said.
Pitt Business to the World
Masire-Mwamba obtained her MBA through the Accelerated MBA program. Though her time at Katz was short, she took a lot away from the experience. She commended the team-focused atmosphere of the program. “One of the things I learned was that you can only go so far by yourself. This team-focused setting internalized that management and leadership is not about how much you know as an individual, but how much you can get done with others.” This understanding reminded her of the popular African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
This approach has shaped Masire-Mwamba’s perspective to this day. Her approach to leadership and international relations is all centered around working collaboratively with those in different areas, with different understandings.
“It is critical to remember how interconnected our world is. The only way that we can come up with innovative solutions and sustainable development is to remember to be empathetic and engaged,” she said.
The following is a list of participants in the Ambassador’s meeting with the Mayor’s Office and others:
- Jake Pawlak – Deputy Mayor and Director, City of Pittsburgh
- Pamela Collier – Special Assistant to Mayor Gainey
- Kyle Chintalapalli – Chief Economic Development Officer, City of Pittsburgh
- Feyisola Akintola – Manager of Immigration Affairs, City of Pittsburgh
- Melvin Hubbard El – Community Advisor to Mayor Gainey
- Rachel Leige – Manager, Business Investment, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance
- Benedict Killang – Program Manager Allegheny County Department of Human Services
- Michelle King – Learning Collaborator
- Kathy Risko – Executive Director, Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh
- James Williams III – Senior Director, Local Government Relations, Pitt
- LeeAnne Haworth – Senior International Trade Specialist, US Commercial Services
- Paul T. Harper – Associate Dean, Pitt Business
- Jennifer Petrie-Wyman – Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives, Pitt Business
- Brent Rondon – Senior International Trade Consultant, Pitt
- William TigaTita – Retired Professor, Northeastern University
