Toronto, ON – March 18, 2026 – International Business University (IBU) is proud to recognize its MBA students who participated in the Reimagining Women in Leadership Conference and Case Competition, held on March 6 and 7 at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Hosted by Toronto Metropolitan University, the two-day event brought together MBA students from across Canada to engage in critical discussions on leadership, diversity, and inclusion, while competing in a case challenge focused on advancing women into leadership roles. Participating institutions included Toronto Metropolitan University, DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, HEC Montréal, Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba, and International Business University.
The conference, held on March 6, featured thought provoking discussions and insights from speakers on leadership, equity, and strategies to support women’s advancement into senior roles. On March 7, student teams took part in a full day case competition, where they analyzed a leadership challenge and presented strategic recommendations to a panel of judges.
IBU was represented by an MBA student team: Angenica Afable, Pauline Romualdo, Daria Staroverova, and Alain Junior, under the guidance of Professor Supinder Babra. The team worked collaboratively to examine organizational and structural barriers affecting women’s leadership progression and developed practical, innovative strategies aimed at improving gender equity and leadership representation within organizations.
The IBU team advanced to the final round of the competition and finished second overall, demonstrating strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills while competing against students from several established Canadian business schools.
Key insights from the conference and competition emphasized that increasing women’s representation in leadership requires intentional organizational strategies and structural change. Discussions highlighted the importance of mentorship and sponsorship programs, inclusive leadership cultures, and transparent advancement pathways. The event also reinforced the value of experiential learning, as case competitions provide students with hands-on experience in strategic analysis, collaboration, and real world problem solving.
IBU congratulates its participating students and faculty for their dedication and achievement, and remains committed to fostering leadership development, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement with today’s most pressing business and societal challenges.
About International Business University
International Business University (IBU) is Ontario’s first independent, not-for-profit university exclusively dedicated to business education. Guided by its mission to provide accessible, affordable, and personalized learning, IBU prepares graduates to thrive in a global, purpose driven economy.
With Centres of Excellence such as the Future Talent Research Institute and the Centre for Sustainable Business, IBU ensures its curriculum is continuously aligned with employer demands and emerging workforce needs. Through small class sizes, industry engaged faculty, and innovative teaching methods, IBU delivers a graduate education that is practical, globally relevant, and deeply connected to the real world of business.
From its foundation, IBU has integrated sustainability, innovation, and industry collaboration into every program—positioning itself as a forward-looking institution committed to shaping Canada’s next generation of business leaders.
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