The Sauder Women in Business Club (WIB) is an open space for building trust, empowerment and confidence while working together as women to achieve our goals, encourage each other and learn how we can contribute to create a more equal world. Officially founded in February 2010, our mission is to encourage women to take leadership roles in their careers and lives to accelerate gender parity.
We will achieve our mission by providing developmental opportunities, links to the greater business and social community, and events that bring awareness to our MBA class on different topics such as assertiveness, work-life balance, empowerment, gender stereotypes and negotiation skills. In conjunction with other MBA Society clubs, we invite supportive business leaders and entrepreneurs from a variety of functional areas to address the issues of inequality in the workplace.
Co-President: Fernanda Oliveira
Originally from Brazil, Fernanda built her career in management consulting, leading transformative projects that redefined operations and advanced the digital landscape for clients across the public and private sectors. With six years of experience, including three in managerial roles, she gained valuable insights into navigating high-pressure environments and challenging traditional norms. These experiences fostered her deep appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and the courage to step outside her comfort zone, especially in male-dominated fields. Fernanda believes empowering women to excel in business requires a thoughtful balance of strength, empathy, and steadfast self-awareness.
Now a UBC Sauder MBA candidate, Fernanda is committed to enriching her professional expertise by integrating best practices and insights from academia and accomplished professors. She is inspired by leaders who challenge her to grow beyond her limits while fostering a culture of support and collaboration. Fernanda strives to embody these values in her work and hopes to inspire others through her journey.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Fernanda is an adventurer at heart. She loves running Vancouver’s scenic trails, cycling through the city, and exploring its vibrant culinary scene. Want to make her day? Invite her to try something new, she’s always up for an exciting first-time experience!
Co-President: Hanyu Chen
“Even when given the right answer, I've always enjoyed the process of reseaching and validating the best approach"
Born and raised in China, Hanyu began her academic journey in Engineering with a Master's degree from the Western University. She later pivoted to Marketing in the consumer electronics industry, where she managed product life cycle campaigns on a global scale.
To Hanyu, women empowerment journeys are just like career journeys - they are rarely linear, and the approaches to the ultimate goal are learnt through continual explorations. Having studied and worked in traditionally male-dominated fields, Hanyu became a passionate feminist when she had to face gender inequity at school and in the workplace. She believes that addressing these challenges requires standing up, speaking out, and fostering change. Hanyu emphasizes two crucial elements of empowering women: learning from inspiring female role models and forming strong allyships with those who champion equity for all.
In her downtime, Hanyu connects with nature through photography. Her next dream destination for capturing breathtaking landscapes? The South Pole!