Leaders of RC: Inspiring change in the community

The U of T Student Leadership Award (UTSLA) recognizes students who have exemplified outstanding leadership, exemplary volunteering services, and commitment to the university. As leaders in our community, they inspire positive change, promote inclusivity, and serve as role models for others. 5 recipients from Rotman Commerce received this award this year. Congratulations!

Building diversity and mentorship in finance

Akruthi Chandersekar, President of the Rotman Commerce Finance Association (RCFA), took big strides to promote diversity and participation in the finance industry. She worked to strengthen alumni connections, secured funding for diversity-promoting initiatives, and built lasting partnerships with leading financial institutions. Her initiatives in the club have not only helped students gain practical experience and build networks, she also helped to create an environment where support and growth were prioritized.

As an Associate in the Toronto Student Investment Council (TSIC), she conducted workshops and mock interviews to simplify complex finance concepts and prepared students for competitive recruitment. At Coffee to Capital (CTC), Akruthi is a mentor and advisor, facilitating meaningful connections between students and industry professionals, and helping bridge the knowledge and experience gap that often makes the capital markets recruitment process daunting.

Akruthi is grateful to receive the UTSLA, especially considering the endless support and encouragement from the RC community. “Giving back through mentorship, collaboration, and supporting my peers creates a tight-knit, resourceful community with lasting benefits for the community as a whole. I hope to inspire others to do the same.”

Akruthi will be joining the Investment Banking team at CIBC Capital Markets after graduation.

Path to leadership

As a Captain of the Rotman Commerce Competition Team (RCCT), Chloe Chau led the training, development, and operations of a team of 32 competitors, representing RC at case competitions all around the globe. She provided valuable mentorship and held workshops for first-year students, enhancing their confidence and skills in case competitions.

In November 2024, at the Copenhagen Business School Global Case Competition, Chloe’s team placed 2nd out of 336 teams; she also won the Best Speaker award. This moment reflected her growth over four years on the team, showcasing her ability to take on leadership roles.

“It is incredibly rewarding to have my efforts recognized—it reminds me that the time and energy I put into these various initiatives is worth it,” Chloe shares. “In the moment, it can sometimes feel like a lot of unnoticed work, but when an event successfully comes to fruition or I see the positive impact on others, it reinforces why I wanted to do it in the first place.”

After graduation, Chloe will be joining McKinsey as a Business Analyst in the Toronto office.

Creating an impact

Anabia Iqbal is heavily involved with Islamic Relief at UTSG, currently serving as the Co-President. She organized a team of over 20 students from different programs, creating a platform where students from multiple backgrounds can unite for a common cause. Anabia organized initiatives such as distributing 100 food parcels to students during Ramadan, and 600 winter care packages to Toronto’s unhoused population.

Additionally, Anabia and her team participated in a three-week Charity Week initiative, raising funds for those affected by humanitarian issues in numerous countries, such as Sudan and Lebanon. She played a key role in planning and leading these efforts, helping raise over $18,000 for the cause.

She also significantly contributed to RC’s student life as a part of the Rotman Commerce Accounting Society (RCAS) as the Director of Marketing last year, and this year as a FLC Peer Mentor where she led bi-weekly sessions with approximately 30 first-year students, providing valuable resources and informative presentations.

Anabia noted that “every interaction, experience, challenge, and connection taught me valuable life skills, giving me the opportunity to reflect and grow as a leader and an individual. These past four years have been transformative; this award is proof of the genuine relationships I have fostered and the community that has supported me to become who I am today.”

She plans to work as a staff accountant at EY in the fall as well as pursue her CPA designation.

Paying it forward

Amanda Rattle is most proud of her accomplishments as a Captain at RCCT. She fostered a culture of excellence and mentorship, leading the team to achieve international recognition. She developed training and development programs for over 30 students, improving their problem solving, communication, and technical skills. Throughout her four years in the program, Amanda participated in over 15 case competitions. This past year, her team landed a second place win out of over 300 teams in the Copenhagen Business School Case Competition, the largest case competition in the world.

In addition to her contributions at RCCT, Amanda is an Associate at TSIC, supporting younger students aspiring to have a career in finance, and making these opportunities more accessible for them by conducting workshops and holding mock interviews. As the previous Vice President of the Rotman Commerce Trading Group (RCTG), Amanda worked with her team to develop a new partnership program with the BMO Trading Lab. She provided free resources, practical experience, networking opportunities, and a co-curricular credit for over 70 students.

Amanda is grateful for all the doors that U of T opened, and the inspirational upper-year mentors she has had. “My goal was to continue to pay it forward and do what I can to improve the RC community. Seeing the impact of this work, through mentorship and the initiatives I’ve helped build, makes this award especially meaningful,” Amanda says.

Following graduation, Amanda will be moving to New York to join Evercore’s M&A team as an Investment Banking Analyst.

Inspiring change and building opportunities

Stephanie Staibano is a Campus Ambassador and Corporate Learning and Development Lead for Project Destined at U of T. Project Destined is an organization that provides students with training, mentorship, and internship opportunities in real estate and finance to U of T students. Stephanie developed and led the inaugural Black Student Athlete program, which focused on training Black student athletes in financial literacy and real estate fundamentals.

She co-taught over six finance and real estate courses in collaboration with leading corporate partners, such as Greystar and Brookfield Properties, which helped to empower over 15,000 students globally, providing them with the knowledge and opportunities to launch successful careers in these industries. As the Campus Ambassador for Project Destined, she contributed to the organization’s expansion into Canada and actively works to engage more students in its programs.

Stephanie also became the first female President of the Rotman Commerce Real Estate Association (RCREA), and led its first-ever event focused on women, called “Designing the Future: Women in Real Estate”, in collaboration with Rotman Commerce Women in Business (RCWIB). This event provided a platform for female industry professionals to share their experiences with students and set a new precedent for the club’s future initiatives.

“Receiving the UTSLA award is incredibly meaningful to me as it represents a recognition of the hard work and passion I have put into my roles at U of T and RC over the past four years.”

Stephanie is excited to start working at Bain & Company as an Associate Consultant after graduation.

Congratulations to all the RC recipients for their remarkable achievements and dedication to leadership!

By Anika Kulathu (BCom ’27) | April 9, 2025