Empowering future leaders: RCWIB’s 16th Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium
For 15 years, the Women’s Leadership Symposium (WLS) led by Rotman Commerce Women in Business (RCWIB) has empowered and inspired. This year’s 16th iteration saw over 200 female students and trailblazing professionals gather from January 17 to 18 to gain career insights and forge meaningful connections, continuing the WLS legacy.
“WLS is where so many students and industry professionals come together as a community for a full two days dedicated to supporting the common initiative of women empowerment.”
Chloe Cheong (BCom ‘26), Conference Director, RCWIB
A weekend of inspiration and growth
The WLS kicked off with an evening social, where attendees networked with top recruiters and industry leaders. The enthusiasm from the social carried over into the second day, which began with a thought-provoking keynote address by Natasha Koifman, president and founder of NKPR. Success is not a straight path, she emphasized, but a journey shaped by unexpected opportunities and continuous learning. The event continued with engaging panel discussions about industries spanning accounting, AI & tech, finance, and more.
Isabel Shin (BCom ‘25), Vice President, RCWIB“I had many first and second-year attendees come up to me and thank RCWIB for the event. They told me how they connected speakers’ and panellists’ insights to their own struggles and triumphs.”
“One of the standout moments of this year’s WLS was the Interview 101 Workshop, where attendees gained practical tips and walked away feeling more confident about their job search.”
Irene Gu (BCom ‘26), Conference Manager, RCWIB
How WLS reflects RCWIB’s core values
The Symposium provided a space for aspiring female professionals to forge lasting connections beyond the two-day experience. Sanjana Ambegaonkar (BCom ‘25), Conference Manager at RCWIB, noted that “WLS is a testament to the wonderful community at Rotman Commerce. The conversations and workshops showcase confidence, creativity, and leadership, reflecting RCWIB’s values.”
From vision to reality—the team behind WLS
The success of WLS was thanks to the RCWIB Conference team’s dedication and hard work, creating an event that met attendees’ evolving needs and aspirations. For many on the team, the process was a journey of personal and professional growth.
“Being part of planning such an impactful event as a conference committee manager previously…gave me the experience and passion to lead the conference team in recreating the essence of WLS this year.”
Chloe Cheong (BCom ‘26), Conference Director, RCWIB
“Seeing some of my ideas come to life at last year’s WLS was incredible, but I knew there was still so much more I wanted to improve for WLS 2025.”
Francisca Tuzson (BCom ‘25), Conference Director, RCWIB
What’s next for WLS and RCWIB
Looking ahead, the RCWIB team is eager to continue building on the success of this year’s WLS to empower future generations of women leaders. As Francisca shared, “Attending WLS is the complete opposite of exhaustion. It’s an incredibly fulfilling and inspiring experience that leaves you feeling energized to aim higher and pursue your goals with confidence.”
For those considering attending next year’s symposium, Karen Ho (BCom ‘26), Conference Director, encouraged, “Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by incredible leaders and like-minded peers—next year’s WLS will be another unforgettable experience!”
By Cammyn Lim (BCom ’26) | February 28, 2025
