As a re-entry student and a mother of four young children, Fresno State accounting major Bianca Perdomo juggles a lot of responsibilities.

“As a single mother going to school full time, I have to raise my kids, figure out how to provide for them, stay on top of my grades, land an internship and do extracurricular activities,” Perdomo said.

Responsibility doesn’t faze Perdomo, who is a highly successful student — she’s on track to graduate this semester, she’s active in accounting honor society Beta Alpha Psi, she parlayed an internship with an accounting firm into a job offer and she’s modeling academic and career achievement for her children. Through it all, she is grateful for the emotional support, community and mentorship she has received through the Craig School of Business Gender and Leadership (GAL) program.

“I feel like I have a whole village behind me,” Perdomo said. “This program has taught me that people like me, first-generation students, Hispanic females, can become CEOs and executives. GAL taught me how to believe in myself.”

Craig School faculty launched the program in the spring 2024 semester to provide students with the confidence to break gender barriers and pursue leadership positions in their professional careers.

“GAL aims to uplift our students and create a space where they can learn from female community leaders, while arming them with the tools to navigate challenges that are unique to women,” said Dr. Susan Henderson, chair of the Accountancy Department and a Gender and Leadership program faculty coordinator.

The program connects students with experienced female professionals for inspiration, discussion, networking and mentorship. The Gender and Leadership program’s student cohort, open to all business students, regardless of gender, participates in workshops, discussions and networking events throughout the academic year.

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