Meet UNSW’s 2026 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 Women in Business Ambassadors (WIBA) annually 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 2030+ strategy.

The UNSW Business School EDI is honoured to introduce you to one of our 2026 Women in Business Ambassadors: Jiya Patel, Bachelor of Commerce/Design. 

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

In Year 12, I was unsure about what I wanted to study at university. My HSC subjects were quite diverse, and I felt that I could not choose just one pathway. This changed when I registered for the UNSW Girls In Business Camp 2023, which was when I first entered the world of business. 

Through the program, I was introduced to so many diverse streams and the versatility of the skills they allow you to develop. I remember being specifically drawn to how transferrable the skills were which would apply to so many industries, opening doors to a variety of career opportunities. That was when I knew I wanted to study a business degree.

UNSW played such a crucial role in my final decision and helped me discover my path to pursuing a Commerce degree, so I felt it was a natural place to begin my tertiary journey.

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

My role as a Start@UNSW Peer Mentor, has enabled me to support first year business students in building confidence and gaining a sense of belonging in the university environment. I believe this is an important step to help students thrive in an environment which can be overwhelming for many. I actively encourage my mentees to step out of their comfort zones and reassure them that feeling uncertain is normal - it is the first step to figuring out where you want to be.

Through my ambassador roles (Women in Business, ADA, UNSW EDI and Start@UNSW), I have had the opportunity to interact with diverse cohorts, allowing me to share my experiences as an equity student first transitioning into university. Helping different communities of students and creating a sense of belonging amongst them is invaluable to me as I believe it is essential for one's wellbeing and success. Creating such spaces where students feel supported and are comfortable enough to reach out are proud moments of mine and will continue to be one of the key ways I have contributed to the UNSW community.

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

As a Gateway student, I have felt so supported since day one at UNSW. As an equity student, I was eligible for the UNSW Co-NNECTIONS program which provides students with the opportunity to develop a sense of confidence, build a professional skillset and make the transition from university to industry feel less intimidating.

I was always asking myself, ‘What’s my next step after university?’, ‘Am I even ready?’ - the program helped me reduce these feelings of uncertainty regarding my future and allowed me to develop strong industry connections and networking abilities. I have also had the privilege to lead a site visit in collaboration with an industry partner allowing other equity students to gain insights into the business and its operations. UNSW has allowed me to access opportunities such as this and allowed me to become more confident in my leadership, teamwork and organisational skills, ultimately preparing me to lead in the workplace and create a sense of community.

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

UNSW Business School is helping to improve female representation in business by hosting initiatives such as ‘Empower Her’ and ‘Girls in Business Camp’ with a motive to empower, connect and help female students develop essential business skills such as financial literacy, awareness and independence. These programs have created opportunities for me and other young women to build confidence, explore diverse career pathways and create professional networks even whilst in high school. We are also introduced to successful female figures in the industry who inevitably inspire and motivate us to pursue degrees in business.

The Business School also provides industry exposure to female university students and leadership opportunities such as Women In Business where UNSW directly addresses and breaks down barriers, ensuring students feel supported and confident in pursuing careers in business. The Business School cultivates inclusivity through these initiatives, ultimately helping develop a workforce that is empowered by female representation.

What inspires you to champion gender equality and female representation?

When I think about what inspires me, I always think about "who" inspires me. My mum studied a Bachelor of Economics (Finance and Banking) and a Master’s in Professional Accounting whilst also working full time, which is truly amazing to me. Her work ethic and achievements during her university and professional career are what I look up to. I have seen firsthand how much resilience and dedication is needed to succeed, which inevitably inspires me to support and uplift other women pursuing similar pathways.

My experiences in university also challenge my perspectives and motivate me to advocate for gender equality and address the confidence gap in business fields. There are so many accomplished females whose achievements are unrecognised, making me passionate about creating change by championing gender equality, visibility and female representation. 

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

My motivation to apply was to give back to the UNSW Business School and the community for the support I have received throughout my journey, even before I started at UNSW. Through my work as a Women in Business Ambassador, I hope to empower young women, especially those who are just beginning to figure out their future goals and help them feel confident in pursuing a degree in business. I want to be a role model and create an inclusive environment that helps women step out of their comfort zones with support and encouragement backing them.

I have a strong desire to continue contributing to the UNSW community whilst representing the Business School and empowering young women, who may initially feel unsure, with opportunities to thrive and succeed at university and beyond.