WIB Week Begins With Focus on Outreach and Diversity

Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business’s second annual WIB Week will feature a keynote speech by food industry entrepreneur Jennifer Iannolo and a talk about issues of diversity featuring Deborah Elam, president of the GE Foundation and GE’s Chief Diversity Officer.

The week’s programming, which began on Monday, will also include social events, talks, and workshops about equal opportunity, empowerment in the workplace, and entrepreneurship.

According to WIB Co-President Rosalie H. Nathans '16, the group has expanded its programming this year and has added new events to the week.

Jane A. Labanowski '17 and Julie A. Salzinger '17 hand out flyers and food as part of Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Week. This event kicked off WIB Week, which will include panels, workshops and a keynote speaker. By Jessica M. Wang

“A key initiative this year is increasing diversity among our membership and in the types of programs we offer, so we’ve added a specific diversity event,” Nathan said. “We want to make sure our programs are really open to everyone on campus.”

The week will also include a resume review and a meet-and-greet with female entrepreneurs who have developed innovative marketing tools and products.

According to Nathans, the week’s events aim to introduce students to a broader range of career options in business.

“We’re really interested in encouraging students to consider diverse careers, outside of the usual consulting and finance paths,” Nathan said.

WIB members distributed flyers, snacks, and “WIB”-emblazoned sunglasses to passers-by in the Science Center Plaza on Monday, the first of five days of programming.

According to Sadie R. McQuilkin '16, WIB’s communications chair, WIB Week plays an important role in increasing the organization’s visibility on Harvard’s campus and attracting new members.

“People who aren’t actually involved in WIB tend not to know what we do,” McQuilkin said. “We especially want to reach women in their freshman and sophomore years who might not know about us, but who could comp next fall and have the time to really contribute to the WIB community and to gain valuable experience themselves.”