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Mireya Fouché
- Preferred pronouns
- she/her
- Area of study
- MBA, Baumhart Scholar
- Year
- 1st year master’s student
What research topics are of greatest interest to you/what are your studies about?
My research interests center on American social disparities, particularly their impact on Black and Brown communities. The high cost of poverty demands innovative solutions. I am passionate about exploring how businesses can create sustainable models to improve the quality of life for those historically affected by these disparities.
Current research projects include:
- Investigating the correlation between youth homelessness and adult incarceration.
- Tracking wellness through arts and community programs for incarcerated women.
- Examining whether a social enterprise can be a successful business model while also creating pathways to employment and increase ones quality of life.
These studies aim to uncover effective strategies for addressing systemic inequalities and fostering long-term and economic improvements.
Why are you interested in leadership and social/environmental justice?
My interest in leadership and social/environmental justice is deeply personal. As a first- generation Mexican-American who experienced homelessness as an undergraduate student, I became acutely aware of the high cost of poverty, which profoundly influenced the trajectory of my career and life. At 27, I took action by launching One Heart One Soul without any knowledge of KPIs, grant writing, or leadership tools. In 2015, I co-launched Monarch Thrift Shop, equipped with more tools to start but still lacking many for expansion. I am passionate about leadership and social/environmental justice to develop better strategies for leading teams toward greater impact.
What do you hope to gain from the Gannon Graduate Leader program?
I hope to gain a deeper understanding of various thought processes from fellow cohort members in the fields of medicine and anthropology. As an MBA student I have the ability to approach challenges in one way whereas others studying medicine may approach in another; a strong leader has the ability to approach from a variety of angles in order to find the best solution.
