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: Muskaanpreet Kaur, Bachelor of Commerce Commerce/Economics, majoring in HR and Economics.

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

I chose a business degree at UNSW because of variety. I get to learn concepts that are actually applicable to reality and have a clear link to the business world, so I feel as if I am able to make a difference in the world. I love how much UNSW Business School has to offer, whether that's in terms of disciplines, workshops or learning opportunities. 

What I love most about business is that there is always a different way to look at an idea and solve a challenge, and the skills I’ve learned from only half of my degrees have already proven to be useful in my personal and professional life. I remember choosing UNSW because of the flexibility it offers, and low barriers to entry, whether that's in regard to support programs, early entry, no commerce prerequisites and offered scholarships. UNSW makes sure I feel supported in every stage of my degree, which in turn allows me to thrive as a student, professional and aspiring leader. 

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

Within my time at the Business School, I’ve learnt vital skills which I have been able to apply directly to my career and community.  As a mentor, I’ve contributed to my community by understanding the power of collaboration and learnt how to foster an environment that values this. My learnings from the Business School have also assisted me tremendously in my career, starting with self-development.

I make sure that self-management is achieved before taking on leadership positions, as the Business School ensures I receive the right preparation and resources to thrive. I have learnt through the UNSW leadership foundations program the importance of GRIT, which means having guts, resilience, initiative and tenacity. This has helped me make a positive impact in my career and has supported my growth in various roles. 

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

UNSW’s emphasis on real-world problem solving has helped me develop the confidence to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to team environments. I have learnt to lead teams with different dynamics, whether those are group projects, mentoring roles, or work opportunities. Working with these diverse teams has also taught me to adapt my leadership style, preparing me for graduation as these are essential skills in modern workplaces.

UNSW also supports a healthy balance between study, work and other commitments, allowing me to refine my time management skills and take on real-world opportunities in the workforce. Through these leadership roles, I’ve learned how to motivate others, manage responsibilities, and deliver outcomes.

Ultimately, UNSW has emphasised the value of ethical leadership and social impact, shaping my perspective on the role businesses play in the broader community. As a result, I feel well-prepared to lead with integrity, collaborate effectively, and create positive impact in both my professional career and the communities I am part of.

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

UNSW Business School is committed to improving female representation in business disciplines. As a student, I have seen firsthand how the school is actively working to improve this by creating opportunities for women to develop confidence, leadership skills, and strong professional networks. Some of these include UNSW founders, hosting workshops to inspire female entrepreneurs and break the barriers regarding innovation.

Furthermore UNSW has female led societies and clubs within business disciplines, which also encourage female participation. My involvement in societies such as the Women in Economics Society has allowed me to connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals, providing both mentorship and exposure to potential career pathways. Ultimately, the UNSW Business School has been instrumental in building my confidence to contribute ideas, take initiative, and see myself in leadership roles within traditionally male-dominated fields.

What inspires you to champion gender equality and female representation?

Despite clear real-world issues women face in the business world, I truly believe I can still achieve my aspirations. At the risk of sounding overconfident, I believe that there is nothing I can’t do.  However not all women feel this way, and the truth is, I wish these barriers didn’t exist in the first place. I’m sure anyone reading this would agree that there is no benefit of inequality, whether it is economically or socially.

So back to what inspires me to champion equality, is that no one should be fighting stereotypes to prove themselves capable. Championing gender equality, to me, is not just about addressing imbalance, but about ensuring that talented individuals are recognised and supported regardless of gender.

This motivates me to continue being proactive in supporting other women, while also striving to lead by example in my own academic and professional journey. I hope to contribute to workplaces and communities where diversity is valued and where future generations of women feel empowered to pursue opportunities without limitation.

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

I applied to become a Women in Business Ambassador because I’ve seen how easily potential can go unrecognised when confidence and representation don’t develop at the same pace as ability. During my studies, I’ve met incredibly capable women who hesitate to speak up, second-guess their ideas, or opt out of opportunities they are more than qualified for.

That gap between capability and confidence is something I want to actively change. What stands out to me isn’t just the success of female leaders, but how openly they speak about challenges, which makes these paths feel far more accessible.

I’m drawn to the Ambassador role because it goes beyond passive support. It’s a way for me to actively shape the culture around me. I want to help create environments where speaking up feels normal, where ambition is encouraged rather than questioned, and where more women feel comfortable putting themselves forward for leadership roles, internships, and competitive opportunities.

What I hope to achieve is not just increased participation, but a shift in mindset. If more students leave UNSW backing their own ideas, taking up space in conversations, and supporting other women to do the same, that creates a ripple effect far beyond the university.