Rise Of The SheEO: Zarb's Contributions To Women In Business

As the first woman to be appointed dean of Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business, a former professor, and a Zarb alumna, I have seen Zarb inspire a new generation of women in business.

Did you know that more women are in leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies than ever before? According to Forbes magazine, 52 out of 500 business executives are women, an all-time high. And we expect that number to continue to grow.

For over 50 years, the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University has remained a leader in preparing future executives. Set in Nassau County, Long Island, it is among the top AACSB-accredited institutions in the New York metropolitan area, merging innovative technology with dynamic program options led by distinguished faculty regarded as the best in their fields.

The Zarb School of Business recently celebrated the opening and naming of Leo A. Guthart Hall for Innovation and Discovery, home to many of its cutting-edge facilities, as well as an extraordinary bequest of $35 million from Hofstra alumnus Charles C. Frei, BBA, ’55. This gift – the second largest in the University’s history – will fund undergraduate scholarships for Zarb students.

In addition to rewarding undergraduate experiences, the Zarb School offers nationally recognized graduate programs that are especially appealing to women seeking to advance their careers. Zarb’s female graduate students speak highly of the school’s empowering atmosphere and abundance of professional connections on their way to becoming successful business leaders.

“I chose Hofstra because I wanted a university close enough to easily access Manhattan, yet far enough to experience distinct campus life,” said Zarb student Julie Singh, BBA, ’24. Julie is enrolled in a dual-degree program at Zarb and is moving into her first year as a graduate student while working as a graduate assistant and preparing to assume a full-time position at KPMG as an advisory associate in Financial Crimes & Analytics following her studies. “This vibrant community has enriched my college experience and created a supportive environment for personal and academic growth,” she added.

While MBA programs are plentiful across the country, few provide experiences tailored to student career goals in the way Zarb does. The Zarb School of Business is one of the few institutions to boast highly regarded Online and Executive MBA programs that have been ranked nationally by some of higher education’s most esteemed publications. Zarb’s Online MBA is a 36-credit program and the first distance learning program in New York with concentrations in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, and Strategic Healthcare Management.

Current MBA student Christine Rice credits Zarb with introducing her to a host of opportunities. “With a background in consulting before graduate school, my MBA experience at Hofstra’s Zarb School of Business has been spectacular and 100% the right program for me,” she said.

Christine touted the varied Zarb resources aimed at achieving professional excellence: “From hands-on learning and professional certifications like Hootsuite, visits to Fortune 500 companies, and mentoring from esteemed marketing professors and industry professionals, Zarb goes above and beyond to support me in my professional development. Zarb’s Graduate Business Career Relations Office helped me secure a co-op at PSEG Long Island as a utility marketing analyst intern. As a first-generation Latina college student, I am empowered to go after my aspirations with confidence in the world of marketing and social media because of how Hofstra has helped prepare me for the ever-changing global workforce.”

These experiences demonstrate Zarb’s commitment to providing an enriching and inclusive environment that prepares students for challenging and rewarding careers in business across every industry.

One degree program that has garnered acclaim from students, administrators, and higher education publications is Zarb’s award-winning Executive MBA (EMBA). An 11-month hybrid course of study, the EMBA is designed for today’s experienced professionals, including an executive-centered curriculum, a diverse peer group, C-suite industry leader connections, and a successful alumni base.

Hofstra alumna Hira Ruskin, EMBA, ‘23, vice president of operations at Northwell Health, appreciated the work-life balance Zarb’s EMBA program afforded her while working in an executive position and raising a family. “Hofstra’s EMBA program was engaging for mid-senior level managers and allowed the flexibility to complete schoolwork while managing an executive job and all that comes with having a family and two young children,” Hira said.

By prioritizing flexibility, Zarb programs and professors show students what is possible, whether transitioning directly from undergraduate studies or returning after time spent in the workforce.

In May 2023, Hofstra proudly presented Northwell Health vice president of public health advocacy, Zarb alum, and published author Sandra Lindsay, DHSc, MBA, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC, with an honorary doctorate degree. As a graduate of the online MBA program, Dr. Lindsay discussed how a Zarb education enhanced her work and career path: “Obtaining my MBA has afforded me more exposure in and outside my organization, including the opportunity to build a larger professional network. The strategies I learned in my leadership courses at Zarb helped me to enhance my leadership skills, especially when promoted to lead an entire division at Northwell in 2016.”

Zarb regularly brings guests from some of the world’s biggest companies to campus as part of its Executive Speaker Series. Past guest speakers have included Adena Friedman, president and CEO of Nasdaq, and Carla Harris, former vice chairman of wealth management and current senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley who was appointed by President Obama as chair of the National Women’s Business Council in 2013. Both spoke to students about their positions as women in business and the possibilities for those with similar aspirations.

As the Zarb School of Business looks toward a bright future, its faculty, administrators, and students continue to create engaging and collaborative opportunities that lay the foundation for successful women in business.

To learn more about the Zarb School of Business and everything it has to offer, click here.

Dr. Janet A. Lenaghan became the first woman dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University in 2019. During her tenure, the Zarb School developed several new degree programs which respond to emerging business and workforce trends. At the graduate level, she led the development of an interdisciplinary, theme-focused, experiential-based EMBA as well as new programs in cybersecurity. Under her leadership, the Zarb School has earned top rankings for its portfolio of graduate programs, including its online MBA.