On August 1, 2014, a group of businesswomen assembled at the International Country Club in Fairfax, Virginia. These women, who would later be known as the Founding Members, were laying the groundwork for the Women in Business Initiative or WIBI at the ÑÇÖÞAV School of Business. Kristina Bouweiri and Guy Saint Juste, BA International Studies ’94, co-chaired this inaugural meeting of alumni and friends of the School of Business as the group established the most vital functions of WIBI. They determined that WIBI would first and foremost provide scholarships to deserving business students. In the years since WIBI’s inception, they have impacted the lives of both established and aspiring businesswomen in the ÑÇÖÞAV community.
The exceptional talent and determination of the WIBI members have also put their mission statement into action through mentorships, internships, guest lecturing, networking, and other events. Guided by their mission and required responsibilities, WIBI members stay vigilant in addressing the needs of female business students at Mason.
A wide range of events is one of the most important ways that WIBI engages with the students and alumni they are dedicated to support. In addition to networking, student mentorship, and lectures, events have included etiquette training, panel discussions, fundraisers, and many others. While the COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary halt to in-person events, WIBI got creative, collaborating with the School of Business Alumni Chapter on two wine tasting events, one focused on wines of Italy and the other on California wines. Each wine tasting is led by two wine experts from vineyards around the globe.
Many of these events raise funds for the Women in Business Initiative Endowed Scholarship, two of which are awarded annually. Often these students are the first from their families to attend college and are working multiple jobs to cover basic expenses. The support of the scholarship not only gives them much needed financial relief, but it also provides encouragement that they are succeeding and their dreams are within reach. Remarkably, the scholarship endowment has increased from just under $20,000 in 2015 to nearly $130,000 in 2021, allowing WIBI to increase the amount of the scholarships from $1,500 to $2,000 per recipient. Ever ambitious, WIBI is looking to push that number even higher. WIBI doesn’t just offer recognitions to business students. The Women in Business Initiative Awards honor women and women-owned businesses affiliated with Mason that are creating impact, innovation, and inspiration for women in business.
While women have made strides in business, gradually filling the ranks of more leadership positions, the Women in Business Initiative aims to ensure that more women join them and that they have the support they need. Furthermore, COVID-19 presented an immense set of new challenges for both students and businesses. In 2020, WIBI answered the call by generously contributing $10,000 to the School of Business Student Emergency Fund, helping students in the direst of circumstances brought upon by the pandemic. New challenges breed new opportunity and greater need, and the creative and purposeful minds at WIBI are working tirelessly to continue living up to their mission.