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Nicole Di Bona (USA)  Nicole will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Fordham University in 2009. Through the University’s five-year Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program, offered to students of high scholastic standings, Nicole expects to receive her MBA by 2010. After acquiring the certifications as a public accountant and gaining work experience, Nicole plans to become a partner in an accounting firm. Her aspirations are to use her talents, along with her knowledge, to contribute to the business world.   Nicole Fast Facts Recipient of the Association of Italian American Educators Study Abroad Scholarship Scholar Athlete Honor Dean's List honors     I want to make meaningful and revolutionary contributions as a business professional that will impact institutions and individuals alike. The Zonta International Jane M. Klausman Scholarship will facilitate the fulfillment of my academic aspirations so that I may complete the transformation from student to a successful and noteworthy member of the business community. Furthermore, this honor will designate me as a professional woman with passion, integrity and drive.

Jody Grewal (Canada) As a junior auditor, Jody worked with a variety of different organizations seeing first hand what distinguishes a successful company from a weak one. Although she volunteered at several nonprofit organizations, it wasn’t until working on a nonprofit account that she discovered the obstacles these organizations often face in developing business plans and maximizing resources. “While nonprofits are often led by people with strong visions and a passion to pursue the cause of the organization, they struggle with weak operational plans and lack of access to the capital necessary to build hindering their ability to progress.” As a result of this experience, Jody has centered her professional goals on strengthening the nonprofit sector.  “I believe that if nonprofits operate similarly to for-profit organizations in terms of minimizing costs and strategic planning, this sector would see extraordinary growth. I believe that if I Jody Fast Facts Member of the Waterloo Warriors Inter-University Field Hockey Team Recipient of the School of Accountancy Fellowship Dean's List honors remain focused on this goal, and with the support of the Zonta International Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship, I will have opportunities beyond what I can imagine and will be capable of cultivating this mission,” said Jody. Jody is currently pursuing her bachelor of accounting and financial management degree from the University of Waterloo. Upon completion she plans to obtain her masters in accounting degree and sit for the uniform final examination to obtain a chartered accounting designation.

Megan Kathleen Garner (USA) Megan is in her senior year at the University of Findlay working on completing a dual bachelor degree in economics and international business. Her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity gave her the passion and desire to incorporate service work into her future endeavors. Upon completing her undergraduate degrees, Megan plans to volunteer with the Peace Corps where she will help local communities with their business activities.  “Megan goes beyond expectation and has become very valuable to our program” said her school’s program manager. “Megan manages her time well. She is a full-time student, work-study participant, and is involved in a variety of volunteer work. It amazes us on how she always stays on tasks and does so well with all of this responsibility.” Upon completion of her work with the Peace Megan Fast Facts Member of the Mortar Board National College Senior Society Recipient of the UN Trustee's Scholarship Dean's List honors Corps, Megan plans to enroll in the Peace Corps Fellows/USA program and will continue her education, working toward a Masters degree in Economics/Business with an emphasis in nonprofit organizations.      I look forward to an exciting, successful career in business and am honored to be a recipient of the Zonta International Scholarship, as well as grateful for the support it would lend toward my journey.

 

Erica Gelvan (USA) “My ultimate goal in life is to be happy. For me to obtain happiness, I will want the basic needs of safety and security, but also the higher needs of satisfaction and fulfillment. I am happiest when I accomplish something that really affects those around me and makes a difference,” said Erica, who believes obtaining a strong education is vital to making a difference. Erica is a student at Marquette University College of Business Administration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is majoring in information technology and international business, while also working toward a minor in French. She is required to take courses in all business fields in order to understand each aspect of a business. “Having the ability to speak intelligently and truly understand different areas of a company can really improve communication and therefore efficiency.” Erica Fast Facts President of the Information Student Organization Treasurer of Pi Delta Phi, A French Honors Society Member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an International Business Honors Society With her degree and her work experience through internships, Erica believes that she will have a strong background to being her career.     At this point I am not particular as to what company I want to work for or where I end up, as long as I am truly making an impact and have the capacity to grow. As an educated woman, I believe I can truly make a difference and help prove that differences in gender do not play a role in the effectiveness of a business leader.

Lauren Howard (USA) Through her recent travels to countries from Italy to Morocco, Lauren saw how cultures clash daily with modern, cross-continental conveniences. “This is often in the form of a meal from McDonalds,” as Lauren describes. This resulted in her interest in how multinational companies are changing the cultures in which they invest. “I want to build a career developing and implementing appropriate adaptation strategies for markets across the globe to help improve the standard of living and preserve cultural values,” said Lauren. Lauren is aware that business is not something that typically elicits passion among young women. Lauren Fast Facts Studied abroad at the Universidad Pablo de Olvide in Spain Executive Board member of the Business Student Council Member of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi “I did not fill the margins of my elementary school notebooks with sketches of marketing campaigns and economic forecasts. However, I have come to realize the opportunities for improvement that can be accomplished through the field of business.” Lauren plans to graduate with a degree in international business from the University of Missouri in 2010, with an emphasis in marketing and Spanish. Upon graduation, she hopes to work for a multinational corporation specializing in foreign markets and possible market expansions.

Vanesa Richards (USA) Vanesa was born in Argentina and raised by her mother. When she immigrated to the United States she did not know the language or the culture. “I was forced to work very hard with other immigrants less economically advantaged than myself and I learned to see the world from their perspective,” she said.  Today Vanesa is the first one in her family to attend college. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business from Weber State University in Utah. “Vanessa is a superb student,” said one of her business professors. “English is not her first language, yet she scored the fifth highest class average on exams. In an English-intensive class where analytics are critical, this is no small accomplishment.” Vanesa Fast Facts Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society Member of the PHI ETA SIGMA Honor Society Dean's List honors Vanesa’s academic goals are to learn and acquire knowledge in the fields of business and economics specifically Latin American economic issues.     It is my hope to one day use what I am now learning to help bring about positive changes in the impoverished regions of Latin America.

Lauren Kathleen Johnson (USA) Lauren intends to start her own business selling international specialty foods bringing the world to her hometown and providing opportunities for local farmers and artisans from around the world. “The overarching goal is to provide basic economic prosperity to families and communities at home and abroad by focusing on small producers needing marketing and distribution assistance,” said Lauren. Being a business owner appeals to Lauren because of the opportunities it provides for economic and social impact. “Because food is a fundamental element of any healthy society, person or community, the women who provide it, improve it and create it are truly the center of potential change. They we are the heartbeat of Lauren Fast Facts French Club co-founder, vice president and historian Member of Peer Helpers, where she tutors high school students Dean's List honors the nourishment that sustains a family, a town or an industry. In these circumstances, affecting one woman can have a major effect on the economy and a family’s destiny.” Her two passions food and business led her to choose the International Business program at Mississippi State University. She is enrolled in a five year program designed to allow her to pursue a dual degree in business and French.

Genevieve Cooper (New Zealand) Genevieve aspires to a career in professional services as it offers diverse work and limitless opportunities for growth. She is looking to pursue a career in either financial or actuarial services and would like to be at the cutting edge of either of these fields. Her ultimate career goal would be to establish her own business. Genevieve is working to obtain a joint bachelor of business studies and a bachelor of science degree this year from Massey University. She also plans to continue her studies, either in a post-graduate or work-related study. “Genevieve is the ideal student, highly Genevieve Fast Facts Interested in music and has volunteered in several music groups Recipient of the Bonded Merit Scholarship Recipient of the Massey University Undergraduate Scholarship organized and motivated, creative and with a huge potential to succeed in business-related field,” said the head of the Department of Economics and Finance at her University. In addition to helping with financial costs of her education, Genevieve believes the “Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship will enhance my employment opportunities.”

Yubing Zhang (P.R. China) Yubing is pursing her bachelors degree in Economic and Finance. She plans to further her education by pursuing a master’s degree in finance or financial engineering at a top United States business school. With her scholarship, Yubing plans to fund her final year project. “I plan to work on testing the degree of international financial market integration over the years.” The idea of her final year project was inspired by her research experience at the University of California in Los Angeles in the US this past spring. “This research program, which was completed at the end of June 2008 with a paper to be published in the UCLA research journal, helped me learn how to apply the knowledge and skills from economics and finance class to the practical world and how to perfectly combine contents of different courses and create synergy. It also helped me gain a Yubing Fast Facts Member of hte University of Hong Kong Orchestra Captain of the University of Hong Kong Tennis Team Dean's List honors profound understanding of the business and financial markets, as well as to develop my independent thinking ability.” Yubing’s professional goals are to seek an analyst position in one of the leading banks or financial institutions, specifically working with a fixed income group. After accumulating enough knowledge and real world experience, she plans to join a hedge firm and become a fund manager. Yubing one day plans to own her own hedge fund/investment firm.

Chloe Jarratt (Australia) Chloe knew very early that her destiny was to be a business woman. “I loved mathematics all through my schooling years … I became inspired by my love of numbers to pursue a career in accounting,” she said. “I believe women are the future of business and especially business success. Commerce today is still highly male dominated within higher positions of organizations. I would love for more and more women to be able to put their names to these executive titles.” Chloe began her journey by enrolling in a bachelor of commerce degree program at La Trobe University. She also had the opportunity to experience first hand the accounting industry by participating in the Chartered Accountants Achiever Work Experience Program 2007, where she gained a position at a local accounting firm. This turned into a permanent part-time position allowing her to continue her studies full-time, while gaining experience in her chosen career. Chloe Fast Facts Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society Recipient of the Commonwealth Accommodations Scholarship Recipient of the George Quincey, OAM, RSL Trust Fund Scholarship After graduation, Chloe’s plans to obtain her certificate of Chartered Accounting.     The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship will give me the confidence I need to achieve my goals by allowing me to continue my studies and maintain my motivation to climb the business hierarchy and claim my position in an executive role.

Farhana Islam (Bangladesh) “I dream of a world where I would be known for the person I am, a world where there will be no discrimination, nor forces to hold me or any other woman back. To establish my identity as an individual and contribute to my community, I have to excel professionally as well as personally,” said Farhana. Farhana comes from a middle-income family in a small town in Bangladesh. She aspires to do something that will make her community a better place. She plans to build a career in investment banking and, years from now, run her own investment firm. “I expect my endeavor to contribute to the development of the capital market of my country, improving its economy and creating scope for employment.” Farhana is working towards her bachelors of business administration from the University of Dhaka’s Institute of Business Administration. After graduation and gaining some work Farhana Fast Facts Peforms Classical Dance Recipient of the Saluting the Nation Builders of Tomorrow award Member of the IBA Communications Club experience, she plans to pursue a Masters of Business Administration. She also plans to sit for the CFA exams, which will hone her technical skills and efficiency for investment banking.     I believe if I work hard for my dreams and work with dedication, I can overcome all challenges and help build the world where I would be known for the person I am.

Ruzha Kochanova (Bulgaria) “Everyone would love to have the magical ability to peek into the future just for a moment. However, the previous becomes unnecessary as long as you have a well defined plan and a suitable rational strategy to implement it. Planning is the first crucial step towards successful results,” said Ruzha. She has already completed the first step to her goal by studying marketing and business management at Ryerson University Ted Roger’s School of Management. Ruzha currently serves as a volunteer for prospective female business students of Ryerson University. She tutors 12th grade female high school students in calculus to help increase their chances of getting accepted at Ryerson University. “The cause is firmly related to augmenting the number of female student graduates from the field of business,” she said. Ruzha’s ultimate goal is to apply all the knowledge she will have acquired to a good cause. Ruzha Fast Facts Poetry Honors by the International Society of Poets Member of the Marketing and Finance Societies Tutors prospective Business Students for Ryerson University     The possibility to work as part of the European Union development especially in favor of the countries that are just starting to immerge from the misery of their past commencing the difficult and complex journey of economical and cultural integration more than excites me. I do realize I am one of the fortunate Bulgarian students who have the unique chance to learn and comprehend the Western approach to business.

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