Meet UNSW’s 2025 Women in Business Ambassadors

The UNSW Business School is committed to gender equity and inclusion by embracing the principles of UNSW's first Gender Equity Strategy to enshrine inclusive practices and enable students and staff of all genders to feel valued, respected and able to be their authentic selves.

To this end, each year UNSW Business School appoints x5-7 Women in Business Ambassadors (WIBA) to support and uplift female-identifying students across the undergraduate disciplines where females are typically underrepresented:

• Banking and Finance
• Economics
• Information Systems and Technology Management
• Risk and Actuarial Studies

This is an exciting leadership development opportunity for 2nd or 3rd-year female-identifying undergraduate students who are studying either Risk and Actuarial Studies, Information Systems, Banking and Finance, or Economics and have a passion for the promotion of young female participation and educational development in these areas.

UNSW Business School believes it crucial for the student voice and experience to be incorporated into the work the UNSW Business School Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team carries out throughout the year and the WIBA play a leadership role within our student engagement, representation, and advocacy as part of the UNSW Business Schools 2021+ strategy.

The UNSW Business School EDI is honoured to introduce you to one of our 2025 Women in Business Ambassadors: Helena Ly, UNSW BBachelor of Actuarial Studies and Commerce (Majoring in Finance and Computational Data Science).

Dream career or industry to work at: Exploring roles in actuarial consulting, financial management and banking

Why did you choose to pursue a Business Degree? And what led you to study at UNSW?

I’ve always enjoyed studying economics and maths in high school, so I knew I wanted to continue developing those skills in a way that was both challenging and aligned with a meaningful career. That’s what led me to choose a double degree in Actuarial Studies and Commerce, as it felt like the right balance between quantitative thinking and practical decision-making.

Ever since attending the Girls in Business camp in Year 12, UNSW has stood out for its vibrant society culture and active alumni network, offering genuine opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and mentors beyond the classroom. I wanted to study somewhere that not only values academic excellence but also creates pathways into the professional world, and UNSW does exactly that.

How has your experience helped you make a positive impact in your degree, career and/or community?

My roles as a casual academic tutor and director in faculty-affiliated business societies have allowed me to support students both academically and professionally.

It’s been especially rewarding to support younger students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by helping them navigate challenges I once faced, whether through revision sessions, personalised advice or programs that make learning and career development more accessible.

These experiences have helped me contribute to a more inclusive environment while empowering others to navigate their own academic and career journeys with greater confidence!

How has UNSW prepared you to lead in the workplace and community once you graduate?

UNSW has pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way, through society leadership and multidisciplinary projects like actuarial and finance case competitions, where I’ve had to think on my feet and work with others to solve real industry problems.

These experiences have given me valuable insight into managing competing priorities and delivering under pressure, both as a team member and a leader. I’ve also had access to strong mentors and professional development opportunities that have helped me understand how to lead with both confidence and humility.

But more importantly, UNSW has taught me that leadership isn’t just about driving performance, it’s about creating a positive culture, making space for diverse perspectives and setting others up for success.

How is UNSW Business School helping to improve female representation in business?

The UNSW Business School is actively improving female representation through initiatives like the Women in Business program, ‘Girls in Business’ camp for high school students and support for female-led student societies that champion inclusivity and professional development.

These programs provide visibility, mentorship and a stronger sense of belonging in fields where women have historically been underrepresented. I’d love to contribute to these efforts alongside peers, alumni and the business faculty by mentoring younger students, co-developing inclusive events and advocating for more accessible leadership pathways.

What inspires you to champion gender equality and female representation?

During my time at university, I’ve noticed how often industry panels, networking events and leadership spaces are still male-dominated, unless they’re specifically tailored for women.

Seeing that pattern made me realise how easily it can shape someone’s sense of belonging, especially in male-skewed fields like finance and actuarial studies. I’ve personally seen how this has influenced the choices that people make about their degrees or careers, and I know I would’ve felt the same if it weren’t for the female tutors and mentors who shared their experiences and helped me feel like I had a place in the room.

Their support made a real difference, and it’s what drives me to pay that forward by helping more women see themselves as confident, capable leaders from the very start.

Why did you apply to be a Women in Business Ambassador, and what do you hope to achieve?

I applied to be a Women in Business Ambassador because I want to extend the guidance and encouragement that helped shape my journey. My mentors and peers have undoubtedly played a significant role in helping me find confidence in spaces where I didn’t always see myself reflected, and I want to do the same for others.

As an ambassador, I hope to create more inclusive, empowering environments, whether it’s by amplifying underrepresented voices, building confidence through peer-led initiatives or working with the business faculty to open up accessible opportunities.

Ultimately, I hope to encourage women to take initiative and lead in ways that feel authentic to them, regardless of where they are in their journey.

UNSW Business School is committed to identifying and addressing the inequities and challenges facing women in higher education and research. We have implemented several strategies to ensure equity in student recruitment, retention, development opportunities and the promotion of women in both academic and professional staff roles.

Find out more about this and other Women in Business initiatives here.