King's and alumnae unite to support the next generation of female leaders
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” invites us to reflect on what we give, what we gain, and how women uplift one another. King’s, in collaboration with alumnae who have built notable careers across sectors, including banking, law, non-profits, entrepreneurship, and academia, has created the King’s Alumni Women’s Leadership CIRCLE to invest in female student leaders through mentorship, visibility, and shared experiences. In doing so, they embody both the spirit of the theme and King’s person-centred, community-focused, and inclusive values.
Working with Laura Peters, King’s Alumni Engagement Officer, an advisory group of alumnae provided early guidance and helped shape the initiative: Jackie Foo, BA’91 (Sociology); Cigi Manning, BA’07 (History, Political Science); Erika Oakes, BA’07 (English); Helen Smith, BA’12 (Psychology); and Tabitha Wills, BA’09 (English).
Each alumna credits her time at King’s as a stepping stone to a leadership career. “My time at King’s meant I was involved in student leadership positions, like being Head Soph or participating in student government. There is a sense of inclusivity and positive energy [at King’s] that I have been chasing ever since,” shares Tabitha Wills, Product Manager & Customer Advocate at Practice Better.
When asked about the significance of the Leadership CIRCLE, Cigi Manning, Vice President, Digital Transformation and Customer Centricity at Manulife, explains that “communities like this open doors, amplify voices, and unlock potential at scale.” She believes effective mentorship will have an impact well beyond the immediate group. “We’ll create a ripple effect for future leaders coming behind us. Real progress happens when women advocate for one another, and success becomes something that we share,” she says.
The alumnae also emphasize that success is rarely linear. They are committed to openly sharing their journeys, where they started, how they arrived at their current roles, and the mistakes, challenges, and pivots along the way. “There is so much pressure to define success, and success is a lot of things,” says Jackie Foo, Chief Operating Officer and EVP at goeasy Ltd. “There is fear that you will graduate…and you’re not going to pick the right path, but the truth is, there is no ‘right path.’ Everybody’s path is the right one.”
Laura Peters believes King’s alumnae have much to offer in supporting female student leaders: “In my role, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many remarkable alumnae who are leading and making an impact in their fields. The idea for the CIRCLE grew from a desire to create a space where these women could connect, share their experiences, and grow together—while also collectively inspire, support, and invest in the next generation of students at King's,” she shares.
Alumnae interested in contributing to this leadership community are asked to commit to an initial two-year term as part of the inaugural cohort. While graduation years range from the late 1970s and 1980s through 2010–2015, the common thread is leadership and a shared desire to contribute meaningfully.
By creating a supportive and welcoming community, King’s and its alumnae are investing in and empowering the next generation of female leaders.
Looking to get involved? Contact Laura Peters, King’s Alumni Engagement Officer, at Laura.Peters@kings.uwo.ca.