Congratulations & Welcome!

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

Since its inception in 2015, the ROMBA Fellowship has grown to include 50+ top business schools from around the world. This competitive scholarship is awarded to MBA students who are committed to building and strengthening communities of leadership, inclusion, and belonging within business education that advance equity for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

In addition to the financial support awarded by participating schools, ROMBA Fellows become part of a strong and diverse business network.  Opportunities and benefits are designed to elevate Fellows to our corporate  partners and connect them with other Fellows and our larger network of 15,000+ peers and alumni. These opportunities extend beyond their campus and allow Fellows to develop as leaders in business who advance equity and belonging during their MBA studies and throughout their professional careers.

If you have any questions, email Nick Bailey at nbailey@reachingoutmba.org.

*Reaching Out MBA uses the “+” as part of LGBTQ+ to intentionally embrace all individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation who are working towards building communities of inclusion, respect, and belonging.

Welcome tothe ROMBA Fellowship Community!

Hello, and congratulations! Please take a moment to pause and truly enjoy this massive milestone before your MBA journey officially begins.

I am Weston, your Fellow Liaison. Just over a year ago, I was exactly where you are today. I know firsthand that starting an MBA brings an incredible mix of excitement, new friendships, and naturally, some anxiety about the unknown.

Right now, there is a lot of conversation around the rapid pace of the world and the future of business, especially regarding AI. As future leaders, we have the opportunity to flip any anxiety into a visionary advantage. To borrow a thought from Alan Turing, the queer pioneer of computer science and artificial intelligence: “This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be.” Your MBA is the perfect time to build for that horizon. Instead of fearing change, we can use this time to sharpen our uniquely human core competencies, think outside the box, and become true change-makers.

That forward-thinking energy aligns perfectly with our 2026 ROMBA Conference theme in Dallas, TX: Bold Roots, Bright Horizons. “Bold Roots” pays homage to the queer elders who built our community from the ground up. When we visited Dallas, we heard vibrant stories about leaders setting up queer spaces in backrooms and standing up for their community without any external or government support. We are here to honor and build upon their incredible legacy.

At the same time, “Bright Horizons” captures the wide open spaces of the Texas landscape and represents a future of innovation, growth, and opportunity for all. Texas is big enough for everyone. This theme acknowledges the past and current struggles of our community while looking toward the hope of a brighter future, one we are actively building ourselves day by day.

To help you explore those bright horizons, Reaching Out MBA offers an exhaustive list of resources. I highly encourage you to participate in our upcoming events, as these were some of the most impactful moments during my own MBA:

  • ROMBA Treks (June, 2026): These treks were one of the first ways I started engaging with the community. You will meet a handful of LGBTQ+* leaders across a diverse group of companies, get a feel for different organizations, and learn about the pathways you can take. Applications open in April and are highly sought after, so keep an eye on your inbox and follow Reaching Out MBA on social media!
  • Fellowship Retreat (July 24-26, 2026): This summer, the retreat is being held in the historic city of Philadelphia, a city with a strong local LGBTQ+* culture and history. It will be an interactive, fun way to develop leadership skills with corporate partners and learn how ROMBA can better support you throughout your MBA and beyond.
  • The Annual ROMBA Conference (October 1-3, 2026 – Dallas, TX): As our flagship event, this is the largest gathering of LGBTQ+* MBA students and professionals in the world. It is an excellent way to network and interact with corporate sponsors. You will have access to the sponsor expo and interviews, alongside sessions covering tech, healthcare, finance, consulting, entertainment, career development, and strategy. The conference also features several competitions and is a unique opportunity to develop important leadership skills.
  • Spring Club Leadership Summit: Every spring, ROMBA holds a dedicated leadership summit for leaders of LGBTQ+ clubs to keep your momentum going and further your development.

You were hand-selected for this fellowship because of your previous commitment and the incredible potential you bring to the table, and you have absolutely earned your place in this cohort. As part of this highly selective group, I encourage you to support one another throughout this process. Look out for each other, discover how you can make a mark on your own community, and continue being a leader for others.

Over the next year, you will hear and see a lot from me. I am here to better support you throughout this new chapter. Please use me as a resource, feel free to connect with me, and know I am always happy to be a sounding board.

Welcome to the ROMBA family! We are so glad you are here.

Weston Halter Hernandez

Email: Weston.Halter.Hdez@gmail.com

BENEFITS OF THE FELLOWSHIP

  • Incoming Fellows will be invited to a weekend retreat in Philadelphia, PA on the weekend of July 24-26, 2026.*
  • Priority consideration for a variety of leadership roles including opportunities to organize a major national Reaching Out event.
  • Priority consideration for our summer treks program.
  • Free registration for the ROMBA Conference.
  • Exclusive Fellows Reception and educational programming at the ROMBA Conference

*Reaching Out pays for hotel lodging for all Fellows attending the Fellowship Retreat. Fellows are responsible for their own transportation costs. Student access funds are made available for Fellows that require financial assistance to attend the retreat.

2026 Reaching Out MBA Events

The 29th ROMBA Conference –  October 1-3 in Dallas

Our flagship event, the ROMBA Conference is the largest gathering of LGBTQ+* MBA students and professionals in the world.

We come together to learn, connect, have fun, and be inspired. There are also great opportunities to recruit with our 50+ corporate partners looking specifically for LGBTQ+ talent, attend skill-building workshops, and network with peers. 

If you’d like to learn about opportunities to lead a content session at ROMBA, email Nick Bailey at nbailey@reachingoutmba.org.

HIGHLIGHTS  

  • Thirty panels and workshops focused on MBA related industries and leadership skills 
  • Plenary sessions with senior level Speakers, Social Advocates, Celebrities, and esteemed ROMBA Alumni 
  • Career Expo with 50+ Corporate Partners recruiting for internships and full time employment 
  • Networking Receptions and other Social Activities
  • Competitions with $20,000 up for grabs!

Club Leadership Summit

Reaching Out works with over 50 LGBTQ+ MBA clubs in North America and Europe. Each April, we bring together the rising club leaders for a day-long Summit designed to connect each schools’ leaders, develop their plans for the next school year, and teach them best practices for running a LGBTQ+ MBA club. You will be invited to attend the Summit in the spring if your first or second year.

 

 

 

 

ROMBA Fellowship Retreat – July 24-26, 2026, Philadelphia

Each summer, the incoming Fellowship cohort gathers for a retreat to build their LGBTQ+ network, develop leadership skills by working with our corporate partners, network with ROMBA alumni, and learn how Reaching Out can support their careers both while in school and post-MBA. 

Programming will take place on Friday evening and all day Saturday with anticipated travel to take place Friday morning and Sunday afternoon.

 

Summer Treks – June & July 2026

As an incoming MBA student, you will be invited to visit a host of companies over two days to learn about a specific industry, get a feel for each company’s culture, and hear from current employees and recruiters.

All 2026 Summer Trek dates & locations will be finalized soon.

Applications open in April and will be available at  www.reachingoutmba.org/summer-treks

ROMBA Fellowship FAQs

What financial assistance does Reaching Out provide for Fellows?

The Fellowship Retreat

Reaching Out pays for hotel lodging for all Fellows attending the Fellowship Retreat. For the retreat, Fellows are responsible for their own transportation costs. Funding is made available for Fellows that require financial assistance to attend the retreat. Many of our Fellowship schools can provide travel assistance for the retreat, so we ask that you inquire with your school prior to applying for funding assistance from Reaching Out.

 

Other Reaching Out Events

As a ROMBA Fellow, you receive complimentary registration to the ROMBA Conference. Reaching Out does not provide hotel rooms for Fellows for any events aside from the Fellowship Retreat. If you need travel assistance for any of these events and your school is unable to provide funding, you are welcome to apply to the James Robertson Student Access Fund for assistance.