MBA Fellow advances responsible recruitment and supply chain labor at the FLA

During the summer of 2026, Akiera Charles (MBA '27) interned as an NYU Stern MBA Summer Fellow at the Fair Labor Association. Read on to learn more about her time there:

Name: Akiera Charles

Grad Year: 2027

Specialization: Supply Chain Management and Global Sourcing

During the summer of 2026, I served as an MBA Summer Fellow at the Fair Labor Association (FLA), an organization that works with companies, universities, and civil society organizations to improve working conditions and protect workers’ rights across global supply chains. My fellowship allowed me to work at the intersection of sustainability, responsible sourcing, human rights, and strategy.

My primary project was developing the Responsible Recruitment Knowledge & Action Hub, a resource designed to help brands, suppliers, and recruiters better understand and implement responsible recruitment practices. I researched and mapped resources from organizations including the ILO (International Labour Organization) and IOM (International Organization for Migration), interviewed internal and external stakeholders, developed user pathways, and explored how FLA could transform complex guidance into a more accessible and interactive digital experience. One of the most interesting things I learned was that having strong labor standards and policies is only the beginning; companies also need practical tools that help teams translate those commitments into action throughout their supply chains.

One challenge was balancing the long-term vision for an interactive Hub with the technological capabilities and resources available within the project timeline. Working with colleagues across FLA helped me distinguish between what could be implemented immediately and what should become part of a longer-term roadmap. That experience strengthened my skills in project scoping, stakeholder management, research, and cross-functional collaboration.

This fellowship reinforced my interest in building a career at the intersection of sustainability and global supply chains. As I return to Stern for my second year, I’m bringing a stronger understanding of how businesses can move beyond sustainability commitments toward implementation. I hope to apply these lessons in my coursework and future career, particularly in roles focused on sustainable supply chains, responsible sourcing, and strategy. Ultimately, the experience showed me that protecting workers and building resilient supply chains are not separate business priorities—they are deeply connected.