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The annual Women in Management (WIM) Conference brought students together at Ivey on November 30 for a day of learning, connection, and candid conversations about leadership. Organized by the Women in Management club, this year’s conference – led by co-chairs Nicole Damianidis and Estelle Wu – explored the theme From Potential to Power through keynote talks, workshops, and panels designed to support women as they navigate their early career paths. With insights from industry leaders such as Susan Niczowski, President, CEO, and Founder of Summer Fresh Salads, and Kristen Caughill, Managing Director at Accenture, the day offered students inspiration, practical skills, and a strong sense of community.
Q&A with Nicole Damianidis and Estelle Wu, Co-Chairs of the 2025 Women in Management Conference
1. What motivated you to organize this year’s Women in Management Conference?
We were motivated to organize this year’s WIM Conference because we wanted to create a space where students could explore leadership, career growth, and empowerment in a supportive environment. Our goal was for attendees to learn from accomplished women across various industries, connect with peers, and gain insights that go beyond the classroom. We hoped to help students recognize their own potential and see the diverse pathways available for women to make an impact in business and beyond.
2. What does the theme From Potential to Power mean to you?
To us, From Potential to Power represents the journey of recognizing our skills, strengths, and passions, and then using them to make a difference. For women in particular, this theme resonates with us because it highlights the importance of confidence, resilience, and seizing opportunities in fields where women have been historically underrepresented. This theme guided how we designed sessions that encouraged students to reflect on their growth, embrace their leadership potential, and explore practical ways to advance their careers.
3. How did you shape the agenda and choose the speakers and sessions?
When shaping the agenda, we wanted to balance inspiration, skill-building, and meaningful conversations. We structured the day with keynote speeches from influential women to motivate attendees, and workshops to build practical skills – from consulting interviews to confident networking. We also had two panels: a New Grad Panel and a Diversify Your Path Panel, to provide real-world insights from professionals at different stages of their careers.
In choosing speakers, we prioritized diverse perspectives so students could learn from women leaders in finance, consulting, and beyond. We also included sessions like meditation and networking high tea to encourage personal growth and relationship-building – key components of moving from potential to power.
4. What conversations or topics were you most excited to bring to students?
We were especially excited about conversations that highlighted the unique experiences and challenges women face in their careers, such as navigating non-linear career paths and building leadership presence. We also valued actionable workshops, like those hosted by CPA, Mastercard, and Accenture, that gave students practical tools and sparked discussions on leadership, inclusivity, and embracing challenges. Moments like meditation and networking high tea were important to us because they reinforced that leadership involves self-awareness, confidence, and connection.
5. What were some of the biggest lessons you learned while planning the event?
One of the biggest lessons we learned was just how powerful the community truly is. Throughout the planning process, we were surrounded by people who genuinely cared about creating a meaningful experience for students – our executive team who put in countless hours, the WIM team who supported us, speakers and keynotes who generously shared their time and stories, sponsors who believed in our vision, and our caterers and venue partners who went above and beyond to make the day seamless.
Being supported by so many incredible people showed us that creating something impactful is never a solo effort. It reinforced the idea that when a community comes together around a shared purpose –empowering women and celebrating their potential – so much becomes possible. That realization has been one of the most rewarding lessons of this entire journey.
6. Why was it important to include both workshops and networking opportunities?
We felt it was really important to create a big-sister environment where students could get candid, honest advice that they don’t usually hear in class or at formal events, and also walk away with tangible skills useful for interviews and cases. The workshops provided structured learning and skill-building, while the networking opportunities created space for honest conversations, personal stories, and practical advice from women who are just a few steps ahead.
7. What do you hope students took away from the conference?
We really hope students left feeling confident that they can pursue any path that excites them. We were very intentional about bringing in sponsors and speakers from a variety of disciplines to show that success doesn’t follow one set path. Whether someone hopes to pursue finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, or something completely different, we wanted them to see examples of women who made their own paths – and to feel assured that they can do the same.
8. How do you think leading this event will support your future career goals?
Leading this event was a learning experience for us in leadership and team management. We worked with a team of seven other women and the broader WIM team, so there were a lot of moving parts. We set the tone for the day, divided tasks, and dealt with last-minute changes that always seem to pop up. There were definitely moments when things felt hectic, and we had to learn how to stay calm, stay organized, and keep everyone on the same page.
We got better at listening to people, understanding what they were good at, and supporting them so they could do their best work – while still stepping in and making decisions when something needed to move forward. It also made us think about the kind of leaders we want to be in our careers. We care deeply about people feeling heard and included, but we also value follow-through and getting things done. Finding the balance between being empathetic and action-oriented was something we practiced throughout this process, which feels similar to what happens in the workplace and gives us confidence in our leadership skills moving forward.
9. What are your hopes for the future of the Women in Management Conference?
Our hope is that the conference continues to run each year and continues to grow in impact. We would love to see ongoing partnerships with sponsors who genuinely care about the theme and mission behind the event. We also think it is essential that the conference always includes both sides of professional development: the reflective side of honest advice and personal stories that you don’t often hear in industry, and the more technical side focused on the concrete skills and knowledge students need to succeed.
10. What was a highlight of the day for each of you?
Estelle:
A highlight for me was definitely the workshops led by our corporate sponsors. They brought so much energy to their sessions, and each one was distinct, which made the day feel dynamic and engaging. I learned so much from each workshop – from practical skill-building to strategies for networking with confidence, and even insights into how different industries operate. The workshops combined strong content with a great atmosphere, and it was clear how much effort each sponsor put into making their session valuable.
Nicole:
The biggest highlight was both keynote sessions. We had Susan Niczowski and Kristen Caughill, two extraordinary women who chose very different career paths. Hearing their stories in depth and getting a sense of their personalities and journeys really showed how many different versions of a successful life exist. They were also very honest about the hard work and perseverance behind their achievements. This was a powerful reminder that while success looks different for everyone, it almost always comes from putting in the work.
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