Meet UNSW’s 2024 - 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 2024 - 2025 Women in Business Ambassadors: Reyhaneh Seifi, UNSW Bachelor of Commerce/Law.

Dream career or industry to work at: An intellectually stimulating career where I engage in lifelong learning.

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

I find the beauty of business in its complexity, akin to a puzzle. It demands critical thinking, pattern recognition, and creativity, which are areas I’ve always loved and excelled in. Studying at UNSW means learning from leading academics and engaging with real-world applications of concepts, which makes each puzzle piece richer and more relevant!

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

UNSW has prepared me to lead by combining outstanding academic learning with real-world opportunities. This involves workshops, networking opportunities, case competitions, and student societies. These experiences have given me valuable opportunities to make decisions confidently and take initiative in both professional and community settings. 

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

My role as a Women in Business Ambassador has allowed me to feel deeply connected to a purpose beyond my own career. It has reminded me that my small actions, like helping out in events and participating in panels can create a lasting impact on women who might not be completely sure about their career paths.  My society roles such as Vice President (Digital) and Sponsorships Co-Director at Capital W (Women in Business Society) have allowed me to assist in planning and executing initiatives that empower women in business, including male-dominated industries like banking. These initiatives have helped me and countless other women feel better equipped to confidently navigate professional spaces.

How is UNSW Business School helping to improve female representation in business? And who would you like to help improve this?

UNSW Business School actively champions female representation through initiatives such as Women in Business Ambassadors, who facilitate events such as Girls in Business Camp. In my personal life, I am committed to mentoring and supporting younger women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. I believe that sharing my experiences and providing guidance will make a difference by allowing women to feel empowered to pursue their ambitions with confidence. 

What inspires you to champion gender equality and female representation?

I have seen how incredibly intelligent and capable women sometimes lack confidence or hesitate to put themselves forward because they don’t see people like them in the room, and I think that needs to change. I want to create an environment where women are not only empowered to seek careers in male-dominated fields, but where their presence is also celebrated and respected by their peers.

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

I applied because I wanted to be part of an initiative bigger than myself and genuinely help other women feel supported and empowered in their journey. My goal is to build more visibility and community, especially for those who might feel unsure about where they fit in business.

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.