STRATEGIC PLAN | INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE STUDENT STUDENT CLUB
Empowering connections for women and LGBTQ+ students
February 25, 2025 ·
Contributed by: Angelica Babiera, Communications Officer
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In an effort to address the need for inclusive spaces within the community, two of DeGroote’s student clubs, the DeGroote Women in Business (DWIB) and the DeGroote Pride Association (DPA), held their first-ever speed networking event aimed at empowering women and LGBTQ+ students. This was the first time the two organizations worked together on a major event. With both clubs focusing on equity-deserving groups, this collaborative event underscored the importance of fostering inclusion.
The event, designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for students to build professional networks, highlighted the challenges that marginalized communities face in navigating a business world often dominated by traditional, exclusionary norms.
“I think these are two student groups here at DeGroote that are very underserved when it comes to the business community that is predominantly male and white dominated,” Michael Antoniadis, president of the DPA, says. “So, creating this type of environment where these groups of people can come together is really important to empower them and give them equal opportunities.”
For DWIB and DPA, this event was an opportunity to address these disparities head-on. Sarah McClelland, president of DWIB, explained why the partnership between the two clubs was important: “We’ve been focusing on expanding our reach beyond the DeGroote community, going into Hamilton, Southern Ontario, and even McMaster,” she says.
“The DPA team approached us with this idea, and we knew it aligned perfectly with our mission to bridge gaps and support groups who deserve equity in both the business and broader community.”
Creating a safe space for growth
The event’s speed networking format gave students the opportunity to practice their networking skills in a low-pressure, supportive environment. DWIB and DPA aimed to give students not just professional connections, but also confidence in their ability to stand out in the business world. Brione Lacey, who is a Commercial Relationship Manager at RBC and the keynote speaker of the event, emphasized the importance of practicing these skills in a low-pressure environment.
“Speed networking is a great place to try new things and maybe not succeed at them right away,” says Lacey.
“Most people walk into their first networking event unsure of how to start conversations or make an impression. But spaces like this give students a chance to practice, build confidence, and figure out what works for them before they enter the job market.”
For many students from equity-deserving groups, networking can feel especially intimidating. Lacey acknowledged the unique challenges that women and LGBTQ+ individuals face in professional settings. “Women in business often find themselves in rooms where they’re the minority, while LGBTQ+ individuals may struggle with whether they can be their authentic selves at work. Events like this help students see that they are not alone and that there are people in their industry who will support them,” she says.
Bill Hodder, a branch manager at RBC and one of the panelists, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for dedicated networking spaces for marginalized communities. He noted that individuals from underrepresented groups often begin their careers with fewer resources and less support.
“By providing an intentional space where they can connect with like-minded professionals, we help level the playing field and empower them to enter the workforce with confidence,” he says.
Speed networking also provides students the space to experiment and learn from their mistakes without the high stakes of traditional networking events.
Overcoming challenges in workplaces
Both speakers also pointed to the broader challenges students face as they prepare to enter a rapidly evolving job market. As companies scale back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, students must be more intentional about seeking out workplaces that align with their values.
“It’s a time when we need to band together in allyship—not just for outside people to the LGBT community, but from us inside the community. We need to advocate for each other in the workplace,” says Lacey.
“We’re seeing companies make big decisions about cutting DEI programs, trying to tell us that we don’t matter as much as we supposedly used to. They’re not standing by their previous statements of support, and we’re having to try to remind people that our diversity actually brings value.”
Looking forward
As students face an increasingly challenging job market, the value of events like this one cannot be overstated. By fostering inclusion, encouraging self-advocacy and providing a safe space for growth, DWIB and DPA have set a powerful example for how student groups can work together to support marginalized communities.
For students looking to enter the workforce, the message is clear: be authentic, build your network, and don’t settle for anything less than a workplace that will support and uplift you. The event has demonstrated that collaboration and inclusion are the keys to breaking barriers and creating a more equitable future for all.
