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: Kathleen Ong, UNSW Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing)/Bachelor of Information Systems.

Dream career or industry to work at: In the technology space where I can embrace complex challenges and help shape innovative technological solutions that create lasting impacts.

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

Ever since high school, I’ve been fascinated by the versatility of business and how it blends problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. My older sister, who graduated from UNSW Business School, played a significant role in my decision, as I saw her thrive and seize incredible opportunities, which inspired me to pursue a similar path.

Visiting UNSW during her graduation as a fresh high school student, I quickly fell in love with the campus and its vibrant academic environment, and I knew this was the place where I wanted to shape my future and prepare for a successful career.

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

The most impactful aspects of my experience at UNSW have stemmed from stepping outside my comfort zone and grasping the numerous opportunities that UNSW offers for connection and collaboration.

Whether it was leading a student society, participating in international practicum courses, completing consulting projects for non-profit organisations or even engaging in group project work and presentations in class, I’ve been able to build meaningful relationships and improve my overall communication skills.

These experiences have not only allowed me to make a positive contribution to my degree and community, but also enabled me to, most importantly, enjoy the journey, paving the path of my future career.

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

Through serving as the Co-President of the UNSW Financial Technology Society, I developed the ability to foster collaboration, unity and lead initiatives that created a meaningful impact.

I was also lucky to complete an internship through the UNSW Co-op Program, which provided me with invaluable industry experience, ultimately jumpstarting my professional journey and deepening my passion for technology.

Furthermore, the opportunity to participate in the international study tour for information systems in Shanghai broadened my global perspective, emphasising the capabilities of technological innovation, whilst connecting communities globally. As a student at UNSW, I feel extremely fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of amazing opportunities for professional and personal growth.

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

The UNSW Business School has made commendable efforts to create a supportive environment and network that champions female representation. This is evident through initiatives such as women in business ambassadors, career mentoring programs for women, the presence of female-based societies like Women in Technology and Women in Management and the availability of scholarships.

UNSW Business School also prioritises nurturing its upcoming future students by executing amazing workshops such as the Girls in Business Camp to emphasise the importance of pursuing equality.

To further improve female representation in business, I would love to see successful UNSW alumni and women who have excelled in various business fields return to guide and inspire students with their stories and insights.

Additionally, seeing male allies in business who actively promote gender equality could also play a crucial role in cultivating a warm and supportive environment where women feel empowered to lead.

What inspires you to champion gender equality and female representation?

Growing up with two older sisters who both built successful careers in business, specifically finance and accounting, I was able to witness firsthand their determination to rise through the ranks and gain recognition in large professional firms.

Their journeys inspired me to take a step further by pursuing a career in technology, a field that remains heavily male-dominated. I am committed to empowering more females, especially young females, to break through the glass ceiling and demonstrate that it is possible to not just succeed but truly thrive as a woman in business.  

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 as I want to show young females that they can truly thrive in any business field they set their mind to. Having chosen to enter the world of technology, I know the firsthand challenges of stepping into a male-dominated space, but I have also witnessed the power of confidence, passion and resilience.

I hope to inspire more young girls to pursue careers in tech and business, and continue to push boundaries, grasp opportunities and break stereotypes. Through this role, I want to share my own experiences, both the highs and lows, to demonstrate that growth comes from overcoming obstacles and setbacks.

Moreover, by highlighting the incredible opportunities that UNSW and the Business School have to offer, I am excited to create a space where young women feel empowered to embrace challenges and pursue their passions in business with confidence. Looking ahead, I hope to see a future where women are no longer trailing in tech or business, but at the forefront, shaping industries and inspiring the next generation. 

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.