MBAs Fuel Election Blue Wave: 19 Democratic B-School Grads Elected To CongressPlus: Stanford GSB names 2027 Siebel Scholars by: P&Q Staff on November 05, 2026 | 4 minute read November 5, 2026 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit Washington, DC Cherry Blossoms Wall Street Journal: “Across the U.S., candidates with experience running major companies—or working inside them—seemingly broke a curse that has sometimes plagued executives seeking office as Democrats or Independents. The most notable was Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a Costco board member and former retail CEO, who won her race to become the next governor of Rhode Island. She had plenty of company. In Pennsylvania’s eighth district, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti—a Goldman Sachs alum with a Harvard M.B.A.—flipped a Republican-held Congressional seat. Former healthcare executive Rebecca Bennett did the same in New Jersey’s seventh congressional district. In all, at least 19 Democrats with M.B.A.s won House races Tuesday, making the next Congress the first in which Democrats will hold more business degrees than Republicans. That number is likely to rise as more races are called. Business executives have often struggled to gain traction as Democratic candidates on the national stage—think hedge fund founder Tom Steyer, or former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s fleeting presidential run in the 2020 primaries. But this week’s blue wave was powered largely by moderates with pledges to fix broken systems—playing to the strengths of those with corporate credentials.” To read more, click here. DON’T MISS: THE SIGH OF RELIEF BUSINESS SCHOOL LEADERS CAN’T EXPRESS Stanford GSB Entrance. Stanford GSB Names 2027 Siebel Scholars Stanford Graduate School of Business: “Five second-year MBA students at Stanford GSB have been selected as 2027 Siebel Scholars in recognition of their exceptional academic achievements and commitment to creating a better future. The students — Cayla Davis, Philipp Gerber, Aakanxit Khullar, Amrita Palaparthi, Elijah Pierre — were chosen by a committee of Stanford GSB faculty. They will each receive a $35,000 scholarship to be put toward their final year of study. The Siebel Scholars program was established by the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation in 2000 to recognize outstanding students at the world’s leading graduate schools of business, computer science, and bioengineering. Each year, more than 70 graduate students are awarded grants during their final year of studies. The active community of over 2,000 Siebel Scholars currently serve as advisors to the Siebel Foundation and work together on some of society’s most challenging and timely issues.” To read the bios of the 5 Siebel Scholars, click here. DON’T MISS: POETS&QUANTS’ 2026 BEST IN CLASS AWARDS: STANFORD GSB, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Wharton students walk along Locust Walk at the University of Pennsylvania. Courtesy photo Wharton Names 2026 Tillman Scholars For Public Service Wharton School: “Tillman Scholars is a powerful reminder to up my game.” — Patrick Everley, WG’28 For Dr. Patrick Everley, WG’28, the path to Wharton has included stops in biology, military intelligence, and technology startups. For Dr. Aliaa Marie McCleary, WG’28, her path has taken her through nursing, medicine, and teaching. Both are students in Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives (EMBA) and members of the 2026 class of Pat Tillman Scholars, recognized by the Pat Tillman Foundation for their commitment to service, scholarship, humble leadership, and impact. Joining them is Connor Slomka, WG’28, a full-time Wharton MBA student and Army infantry officer. For all three, the highly selective scholarship — awarded to just 3% of applicants — recognizes their commitment to service while supporting the next chapter of their careers. The scholarship honors the legacy of Pat Tillman, the former NFL player who left his professional football career to serve in the U.S. Army and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. To read more, click here. DON’T MISS: HOW WHARTON MBAS TEACH NEGOTIATIONS AT A LOCAL PRISON Located in the densely wooded Fontainebleau, 45 minutes out of Paris, INSEAD’s “green and leafy surroundings” turned into a threat this summer when the forest began to burn. 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