Shaking Up VC: Cornell MBA Wins Prestigious Edie Hunt Inspiration Prize

Cornell MBA Hannah Tolan is on a mission: to shake up venture capital by bringing more women to the table — and the Forté Foundation just named her the 2025 Edie Hunt Inspiration Award winner for her efforts.

Tolan, an MBA student at Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, earned Forté’s prestigious annual award by challenging gender disparities in finance, building inclusive communities, and inspiring her peers to lead boldly.

“At Johnson, I wanted to create a community in which women could be themselves, be confident, and encourage other women,” says Tolan, who was recognized by the nonprofit for her efforts to foster an inclusive and empowering environment at the Johnson School, particularly within venture capital and finance — two industries historically challenging for women.

‘DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP’

Awarded each year to an MBA student who exemplifies Forté’s mission of “getting more women leading,” the Edie Hunt Inspiration Award spotlights individuals making significant impacts within their business schools and broader communities.

Tolan’s advocacy comes naturally. Raised by a single mother who instilled the importance of resilience and leadership, Tolan says she grew up encouraged to be a “strong, independent woman who can do anything.”

In 2024, only 1% of venture capital funding went to solely women-led companies. Tolan challenged this disparity by co-launching VC@Johnson, the school’s new finance club, which encourages women’s involvement as investors, operators, and founders. She also organized panels highlighting successful women leaders in venture capital and private equity.

Her efforts extended beyond venture capital, including coordinating the Forté Buddies Program — pairing incoming scholarship recipients with current students for mentorship — and leading events like Forté Fellow meetings and “Ask Me Anything” sessions designed to attract women to finance and consulting.

Tolan balanced her impactful contributions with rigorous academic demands, part-time roles at two venture capital funds, and a 2024 summer associate position in investment banking at Jefferies.

Elissa Sangster, CEO of Forté Foundation, praised Tolan’s dedication, noting, “Hannah Tolan has demonstrated exceptional leadership for her classmates throughout her experience, and we are thrilled to honor her with the Edie Hunt Inspiration Award this year.”

TOLAN IS THE 22ND WINNER OF THE EDIE HUNT AWARD

Forté also highlighted three outstanding finalists who’ve significantly advanced opportunities for women in business:

• Anushaa Shiv Shanker Das (Georgetown McDonough), who championed women partners through mentorship circles and career coaching events.
• Joanne Bartolome (ESADE Business School), whose Women in Entrepreneurship campaigns spotlighted gender disparities in venture funding.
• Nneka Kyari (York University Schulich), creator of the first-ever Forté “Lookbook” and organizer of the inaugural GTA Forté Conference attended by over 300 women.

Hannah Tolan joins a distinguished line of past recipients, each recognized for pushing boundaries and driving tangible progress in gender equality in business. She is the 22nd winner of the annual award, which has been bestowed every year since 2009 to one or two MBA students at any of Forté’s 61 member schools. It is named in honor of Forté’s Board Chair Emeritus Edie Hunt, who earned her MBA from Chicago Booth School of Business and was with Goldman Sachs for over 30 years, including as a partner from 2004 to 2011. Known for her pioneering advocacy of diversity and inclusion, Hunt most recently served as chief diversity officer and advisory director until the end of 2013 when she retired.

Recipients of the Edie Hunt Inspiration Award must be enrolled in a full-time program as a second-year MBA student at a Forté partner school or enrolled full-time in a one-year program. They receive a $2,500 cash prize, complimentary attendance at Forté’s MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, and other benefits.

Learn more about the Edie Hunt Award here.

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