In the 2025–26 academic year, Goizueta Business School MBA student Breanna Ellis 26MBA was named the first recipient of the Laurie Manning Scholarship Endowment, an award created to honor the life, spirit, and legacy of a beloved alumna whose impact continues to shape the Goizueta community.
The scholarship was established in memory of Laurie Manning 16MBA, who passed away in May 2021. Known for her energy, warmth, and deep commitment to community, Manning left a lasting impression on classmates, faculty, and friends. Later that year, three of her classmates — Lauren McGlory 16MBA, Brittany Moore 16MBA, and Jazmyn Williams 16MBA — partnered with Laurie’s brother and mother, Edward and Linda Manning, to create a scholarship that would carry her values forward. With the support of Associate Dean Brian Mitchell and a broad network of alumni, peers, and friends, their goal was ambitious: to raise $100,000 to establish a permanent endowment in Laurie’s name.
From Classmates’ Vision to Endowed Impact
That goal became a reality through years of collective effort and generosity. A particularly meaningful contribution came from members of the Full-Time MBA Class of 2017, who redirected approximately $42,000 from their class gift toward the scholarship, inspired by the Class of 2016’s commitment to honoring one of their own. Fully endowed in fall 2023, the Laurie Manning Scholarship Endowment became awardable in 2025 — marking a milestone not only for the scholarship, but for the Goizueta community that made it possible.
A Scholar Who Reflects the Scholarship’s Values
As the inaugural recipient, Ellis embodies the values at the heart of the scholarship. An MBA student with a background as an educator and wellness coach, she is driven by a belief in empowerment, inclusion, and helping others feel seen. “True impact is measured not just by actions, but by the feelings we leave behind,” Ellis shared, reflecting on her approach to leadership and service. Whether supporting peers through the MBA experience or mentoring students through the college admissions process, she strives to create spaces where people feel supported and capable.
That commitment has not gone unnoticed. Ellis was also recognized by her classmates with the Core Values Award for Diversity, a student-voted honor that reflects her commitment to inclusion and elevating diverse voices. The recognition underscores the same qualities that define the Laurie Manning Scholarship — community, empathy, and leadership grounded in care for others.
More than a financial award, the Laurie Manning Scholarship Endowment represents the enduring strength of the Goizueta alumni network and the power of collective philanthropy. For Ellis, receiving the scholarship is both an honor and a responsibility. As she looks ahead, she carries forward not only Laurie Manning’s legacy, but the shared belief that leadership rooted in compassion can leave a lasting mark.
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