In my experience, it appears that the key element people yearn for in a workplace is respectable leaders. If there are problems, employees usually blame it on a lack of leadership in the organization. When there is success, it is usually connected to a person or team that embodies admirable leadership qualities.

Naturally, there are many opinions on what constitutes a great leader, but I personally think Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, defined leadership beautifully: “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

In 2014, Business Insider reported that women are favored as leaders and represent more than half of the workforce, yet only 3 to 4 precent of women worldwide are in CEO-level positions. How can females leave their legacy if there are limited opportunities for them to represent their ideas and demonstrate their capabilities?

One powerful way to increase female leadership in the workplace is through education. The University of Utah’s Executive MBA program was ranked No. 6 in the nation for the percentage of women (33 percent) in its classrooms, and all four of the University of Utah’s MBA programs are designed to deliver in-depth knowledge of business fundamentals, analytical skills, creative solutions and vision.

Dr. Abe Bakhsheshy, one of our world-renowned faculty members, often iterates in his leadership classes that women are great negotiators for others but usually not for themselves. An MBA can help women learn how to advocate for their own career success. The Forte Foundation reports that women who receive an MBA see an increase in salary of 55 to 65 percent within five years of graduation. The value of the degree for females is evident, for both professional gain and personal growth.

“The EMBA program instilled in me a sense of confidence in my abilities that I didn’t have before,” said Anna Scott, graduate of 2014.

To continue to meet our goal of connecting and empowering women, we will launch the University of Utah Women’s MBA Association this month. One of the organization’s goals is to connect with female professionals on a personal level to provide resources for them to thrive in our MBA programs. The association’s offerings include special women’s admissions events, student/alumni networking events, workshops and classes, mentorship programs and more.

If you are a woman who is hoping to take the next step in your career and desire to be a business leader, we invite you to our Women’s Information Luncheon next month to learn more about the University of Utah’s four MBA programs. Save the date for Thursday, Feb. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Falls Event Center at Trolley Square for a luncheon that will be sure to empower you. Hear from female alumni and current students who are making the MBA schedule work in their personal lives and seeing their careers benefit. You can be a part of a movement to increase the number of female leaders in the business world.

For more details and to register, visit womenmba.com.