Your first stop! Check in to receive your conference badge and welcome bag.

Consulting expert Peter K will meet 1on1 with students for 15 minutes each to provide feedback on their consulting case framework presentations.

Are you interested in becoming a consultant? The case interview is an integral portion of the interview process for both an internship and full-time position. PwC will lead their annual session providing frameworks and best practices to help you ‘Ace the Case’. This 90-minute interactive workshop provides you the chance to hear from experts and ask questions so you leave prepared for your upcoming interviews.

Wonder what it takes to bring a product to life? Join this session for an inside look into how brand teams collaborate to bring new products to consumers. From New Product Development to Brand Management to e-Commerce, you will leave this session with a better understanding of the role each department plays in this process. Through gamification and hands-on activities using real-life scenarios, you will be exposed to the “hiccups” marketing teams sometimes face and gain inspiration for thinking creatively about potential solutions.

This reception brings together current ROMBA Fellows to reconnect and meet new members of the cohort. Emerald, Diamond, and Underwriting partners are also invited to join this talented group!

Join us at this reception with trans, nonbinary, and GNC folks to network and build new connections!

The official opening of the 2023 ROMBA Conference! This year’s theme is Queer Renaissance. Enjoy light bites, music, and cocktails as you see old friends, meet new ones, and kick off the conference in style.

Start the day in the supportive environment of a 12-step meeting. This is a closed meeting for those in recovery.

Your first stop! Check in to receive your conference badge and welcome bag.

Did you know that 60% of companies at the ROMBA Conference hold either coffee chats/informational conversations or interviews with LGBTQ+ MBAs and other grads at the event? These conversations and interviews are by invite only, and many are sourced from our GradLeaders jobs board — so get your resume in the database ASAP (hint: some companies don’t post jobs but do screen through resumes!)

In 2023, we face an unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures across the United States. The volume and scope of these bills, designed to deny the queer community its fundamental right to exist, can be overwhelming.

Join us for a conversation with senior leaders on the implications and key points of prominent bills, how corporate America can show up as an ally, and what we as individuals can do to advocate for our community.

At this breakfast plenary, we will also honor the two recipients of the Rich Chicotel LGBTQ+ Leadership Award.

We heard your feedback on the desire for more time and space to network with fellow ROMBA attendees. So, join us as we launch our brand new Networking Lounge, presented by 3M. Mix and mingle or maybe get some work done. Reaching Out will offer a coffee break on Friday from 10:15am – 11:15am (presented by PwC) in this engaging and flexible space. The Networking Lounge is appropriate for professional networking, small group meet-ups, affinity groups, and/or work space for individuals and small groups (up to six folks). Come take a picture with new friends in front of our step-and-repeat and celebrate our Queer Renaissance conference theme.

Consulting expert Peter K will meet 1on1 with students for 15 minutes each to provide feedback on their consulting case framework presentations.

Sponsored by McKinsey & Company, the Leadership Lunch connects attendees and enables them to learn more about their peers and companies that may have invited them to join their table. The plenary session will center on the significance of engaging individuals in positions of power and explore strategies to nurture their role as allies to the LGBTQ+ community.

ROMBA’s pre-eminent career expo hosts up to 100 top companies – many of which do not visit campuses – looking to recruit LGBTQ+ MBA and graduate talent. This year, we have expanded the expo to four hours. A must for all job-seeking attendees.

Attendees with ‘pitch ready’ new venture ideas will be paired with VC and entrepreneurial mentors to help them construct a roadmap and tackle pressing issues. Participants will not only walk away with a clearer vision for their venture, but also solid business contacts for the future. Ideally, the mentor-mentee relationship will continue beyond the conference.

Are you trying to form a startup and get funding? To find investors, pitch decks tell the story of your company in a concise and compelling way. However, successfully conveying your new company can be quite difficult. In this session, we will go over the do’s and don’ts of pitch decks – from how to distinguish your company, to organizing your deck and creating a striking presentation. Learn from diverse professionals within the startup and venture capital space to understand how to impress investors and get the funding your startup needs.

This interactive workshop will explore current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community today with a focus on individual leadership and activism. What are the real-life impacts on LGBTQ+ people? As emerging business leaders, how can we create connections between social impact work and companies?

Participants will explore various LGBTQ+ social justice issues faced by business leaders, employees, and companies. We will practice dialoguing these nuanced issues such as trans youth in sports and cancel culture. Attendees will walk away with increased confidence to take action and make changes within their own companies and organizations.

Your first job out of business school is only the beginning of your career; where you go and how quickly you advance can depend heavily on your network. Learn strategies on how to organically leverage your LGBTQ+ network from B-school and ROMBA and accelerate your career progression.

The Veterans’ Reception brings together all those who have served their country in the military to celebrate their commitment and other Veterans.

Did you know that more than 60% of student attendees at the ROMBA Conference identify as BIPOC? This reception welcomes those of diverse backgrounds and anyone committed to diversity for a fun-filled hour of conversation and celebration!

After a full day of learning, join us for food, drinks, and dancing at our annual Charity Party! 100% of the proceeds go directly to students’ travel and registration for Reaching Out MBA events, ensuring that all LGBTQ+ students have equal opportunities to participate and succeed.

In the 22nd annual ROMBA Consulting Case Competition, sponsored by Bain & Co., students will solve for challenges of a small business in the Chicago area and present recommendations to a panel of seasoned consultants and the business owners. This competition enables participants to display their business acumen and strategic thinking. Preliminary rounds are for competing teams only.

Your first stop! Check in to receive your conference badge and welcome bag.

Did you know that 60% of companies at the ROMBA Conference hold either coffee chats/informational conversations or interviews with LGBTQ+ MBAs and other grads at the event? These conversations and interviews are by invite only, and many are sourced from our GradLeaders jobs board — so get your resume in the database asap (hint: some companies don’t post jobs but do screen through resumes!)

Start the day in the supportive environment of a 12-step meeting. This is a closed meeting for those in recovery.

We heard your feedback on the desire for more time and space to network with fellow ROMBA attendees. So, join us as we launch our brand new Networking Lounge, presented by 3M. Mix and mingle or maybe get some work done. Reaching Out will offer a coffee break on Saturday from 10:00am – 11:00am (presented by LEK) in this engaging and flexible space. The Networking Lounge is appropriate for professional networking, small group meet-ups, affinity groups, and/or work space for individuals and small groups (up to six folks). Come take a picture with new friends in front of our step-and-repeat and celebrate our Queer Renaissance conference theme.

In the 22nd annual ROMBA Consulting Case Competition, sponsored by Bain & Co., students will solve for challenges of a small business in the Chicago area and present recommendations to a panel of seasoned consultants and the business owners. This competition enables participants to display their business acumen and strategic thinking. Final round presentations are open for anyone to attend.

How good is your idea or business plan? Pitch it to a panel of judges that include the industry’s top VCs and hear feedback that will help you no matter where you fall. Win and walk away with $5,000 to help get your venture running! Both current and post-MBAs are eligible to compete.

Consulting expert Peter K will meet 1on1 with students for 15 minutes each to provide feedback on their framework presentations.

More information on program and speakers to come.

Much of Reaching Out’s content, including the ROMBA Conference, is developed by LGBTQ+ MBA students just like you! If you are interested in being an organizer for the 2024 ROMBA Conference, the Out Women in Business Conference (students & alumni), or the Club Leadership Summit, join this session to learn about the benefits, the application process, and to hear from this year’s leadership teams.

For anyone who identifies as a woman, we invite you to join the ROMBA Women’s Reception and meet folks from across the globe! This reception is designed to start new conversations and build connections that can continue once the ROMBA conference is over.

Kick off a celebration of everything that was ROMBA 2023 with a pre-dinner libation and mingle with other guests before the Marquee dinner!

Sponsored by Boston Consulting Group, the Marquee Dinner is the grand finale of ROMBA 2023 , one last chance to connect with your peers, learn what Reaching Out has in store for the next year, and hear from our esteemed keynote speakers including actor/author/activist Elliot Page! Dinner and drinks are sponsored by our co-Underwriter Boston Consulting Group.