Congratulations to the Collegiate Women in Business organization
As seen in the fall 2024 Ivy magazine.
Since its founding a decade ago, Collegiate Women in Business (CWIB) has become one of the Ivy College of Business’s most active student organizations. With a mission to inspire, empower, and develop women pursuing a career in business, it’s made a lasting impact on hundreds of aspiring professionals, too.
“If you ask the members, they usually say the best part of CWIB is the people,” said Kayla Sander, Dean’s Teaching Fellow and founder of CWIB. “The club provides a great opportunity for these young women to get to know each other and often serves as a space to make lifelong friendships. This network is important as these young women continue to benefit from these relationships both personally and professionally well beyond their college years.”
At a 10-year anniversary celebration held at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa, in April, that network was on full display.
Alumnae and current students gathered to reflect on the success of CWIB and all that they’ve accomplished because of it.
She spoke on a panel with three other alumnae, sharing some “real talk” about their careers and the mark CWIB has made on them.
One of these attendees was Jenna Tolle (’22 marketing; business analytics).
“I enjoyed seeing all the people impacted by CWIB back in one place, reconnecting with new and old faces who all have CWIB in common,” said Tolle, who’s now a product marketing representative on the global cotton harvesting team at John Deere. “It was a full circle moment.”
She shared that CWIB not only helped her become more confident but also showed her that she has great strengths to contribute to any team.
“The organization allowed me to meet so many strong women in the Ivy College of Business who are doing so many amazing things,” Tolle added.
Jackie Trujillo Garcia (’24 finance; international business) served as the 2023–2024 president of CWIB after getting involved with the organization as a first-year student. “Even during a weird COVID year, I found myself instantly making connections within CWIB, which reassured me that this group was the perfect place for me,” she said.
Trujillo Garcia helped emcee the 10-year anniversary celebration – an experience she said she’ll never forget.
“Beyond it just being a beautiful night, there was something about having all past and current members there that made it so special,” she said. “All the women in attendance were there in support of what CWIB stands for. It’s a community that is so powerful. Everyone in that room had a part in writing CWIB’s story, and this celebration will forever bring a smile to my face whenever I think about it.”
For Trujillo Garcia, CWIB was much more than an extracurricular activity.
“Meeting incredible women who not only inspired me but also became my role models was priceless. As I step into the post-graduation world, I feel ready, and a huge part of that is thanks to CWIB,” she said.
Sander shared that it’s fulfilling to serve as an advisor for CWIB, watching students like Trujillo Garcia grow in their confidence and leadership abilities.
Another such student is Andrea Li, a senior in accounting. Li serves as professional relations chair for CWIB, through which she connects students with mentors in the industry.
“The CWIB community has taught me many skills, such as being open to ideas and stepping into leadership roles,” she said. “It has also allowed me to discover other possibilities for my career. It is usual for students to be pushed into a specific path, but with my involvement in CWIB, I’ve learned that that is not necessarily for everyone. It has encouraged me to continue being involved in organizations and discovering resources.”
CWIB offers ample opportunities for students to connect with leaders in the field, especially through the Ivy College of Business Women in Business Advisory Board.
Berta Aldrich (’90 finance), president of Berta Aldrich Consulting, is chair of the board and became involved after receiving the Ivy College of Business Women in Business Inspiration Award in 2020.
“Any time we have the opportunity to engage with the student leaders of CWIB, our board is amazed at their level of professionalism, communication, presence, and desire to help other women at Ivy succeed,” said Aldrich, who was recently honored on InvestmentNews’ 2023 Hot List. “There was a moment at the 10-year anniversary celebration when the host requested prior CWIB graduates to stand, and about a quarter of the room did. That is when I truly realized the impact CWIB is having on our women graduates.”
Perhaps Trujillo Garcia sums up best how meaningful CWIB is to both students and alumnae.
“As a first-generation student, the path to success seemed uncertain, but CWIB became my community and the place for me to grow,” said Trujillo Garcia. “To the inspiring women and Ivy College of Business, your unwavering support has been my anchor. I’ll forever cherish the lessons learned and the friendships forged as I embark on my next chapter.”
It’s where I truly flourished, gaining confidence and becoming a more well-rounded business professional.
