Beignets, Business, and Belonging: Yale SOM at ROMBA 2025

In late September, we had the honor of representing Yale SOM at the Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. We were 2 of roughly 20 SOM students who attended, continuing the school’s proud tradition as one of ROMBA’s founding member institutions.

ROMBA brings together LGBTQ+ MBA students, alumni, and business leaders for a weekend of connection, career exploration, and community. This year’s theme, “Rhythm and Resilience,” reflected both the vibrancy of New Orleans and the strength of the LGBTQ+ business community.

On Friday, we joined the main conference programming and connected with MBA students from across the country, as well as representatives from a range of employers. We also participated in coffee chats with companies such as McKinsey & Company and Dick’s Sporting Goods, where we learned about their inclusive initiatives and professional opportunities.

Beyond networking, the weekend was an opportunity to strengthen our SOM community. We spent time with first- and second-year peers, sharing experiences and supporting one another through the recruiting process. The sense of belonging within our group—and among the broader ROMBA community—was truly special.

This year’s theme also carried a deeper message. Some longtime sponsors chose not to return, and local protests outside the venue underscored the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ spaces. Yet inside, the atmosphere was one of courage, authenticity, and unity. Below, we reflect on our individual experiences at the conference.

Veronica Lee ’27

The theme of resilience resonated deeply with me. Growing up, I learned early on what it means to stay strong through challenges, both as a queer person and in other parts of my life. Hearing from speakers who had faced similar experiences reminded me that authenticity and courage can coexist with professional ambition.

One monumental event for me was a keynote session where the speaker shared her coming-out story and described the adversity she faced in the workplace: for example, clients asked that she be removed as the lead from their projects, and peers did not respect her preferred pronouns. Her honesty and perseverance were deeply moving, and it was powerful to see how she was able to pick herself up and continue to build her professional portfolio.

Throughout the conference, I felt inspired by leaders who continue to advocate for visibility and inclusion in the workplace. Their stories reinforced what I truly value about the Yale SOM community—our commitment to leading with integrity while building communities that uplift others.

Michal Kozuchowski ’27 

As a gay man growing up in Poland, where I didn’t meet another openly gay person until I was an adult, attending ROMBA in New Orleans was nothing short of transformative. In times where diversity and inclusion are facing public backlash again, being surrounded by over a thousand queer MBAs and professionals felt surreal at first. It took a moment of reflection to realize that yes, everyone around me was part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The sense of belonging was overwhelming in the best way possible. Despite coming from different countries, industries, and life journeys, there was an unspoken understanding—a shared commitment to support and uplift one another. Even though it was a professional conference filled with networking events and career fairs, it felt far warmer and more inclusive than any I’d attended before. And nothing was able to derail this warmth and sense of inclusion, not even a group of protesters that stormed the hotel venue on the last day of the conference. That disruption prompted all of us to reflect on the constant and ongoing struggles of openly LGBTQ+ individuals in many parts of the world, including the United States, showing how important these events still are for the community and individuals within.

One of the most memorable moments for me was hearing a partner share her story of coming out as the first and only trans person at her level in the industry. It was extremely powerful to hear how she had no one to turn to for guidance, yet went through with it to pave the way for others. I was equally moved by a session on neurodivergence in the workplace; as someone who sits somewhere on this spectrum, I felt deeply seen and validated. Learning about strategies for inclusion and recognizing the strengths of neurodiverse individuals left me both inspired and hopeful for what truly inclusive workplaces can be and how I can help foster those myself. All in all, I will always deeply cherish all the experiences and connections I made at ROMBA and plan to be an outspoken ambassador of LGBTQ+ events going forward.