Women in Business Scholarship
What is it?
This programme was established in 1998 to encourage undergraduate women to enter careers and seek leadership positions in business. The program ultimately seeks to influence business decisions that positively affect women by increasing the number of women in executive positions in the field of business management. This program was established from a bequest by Jane M. Klausman, a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian. This program operates at the club, district and international levels of Zonta International. Clubs, districts and regions are advised to appoint committees to manage these program responsibilities.
An excellent opportunity!
Stay tuned for information for 2025 scholarships
Eligibility
Designated major fields
Designated major fields
Women of any age, pursuing a business program with designated major field of specialization at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are full-time resident of British Columbia.
Designated major fields
Designated major fields
Designated major fields
For this scholarship, applicants must have a major field of specialization in accounting, economics, finance, business management, business technology, information technology, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship
Awards
Designated major fields
Awards
The Zonta Club of Victoria offers an award to the successful applicant of the Women in Business scholarship .
The successful candidate has the opportunity to compete at the International level, since the inception of the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business scholarship in 1998, Zonta International has awarded 713 Scholarships, totaling more than US$1.8 million, to 559 women from 70 countries.
Meet the 2023 Winner
Katie Green
Katie is a graduate of Concordia University and is currently enrolled at University of Victoria School of Business where she is pursuing her MBA in Sustainable Innovation. with her degree in Fine Arts as well as her Masters in Education, Katie is a go-getter who founded her own screenprinting and design company and continues to seriously develop her skill-sets. On top of her continuing pursuit of higher education, she gives back to the community through her non-profit work as a board member at CARFAC National and by supporting artists with creative business development. In her free time, she enjoys camping and creative arts such as drawing, printmaking, and painting. Congratulations, Katie --you've earned it!
Meet the 2021 Winner
Amelia Brooker
Amelia Brooker is the recipient of the 2021 Zonta Club of Victoria Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.
She is currently enrolled in a BA in English (Hons) and Master of Management Dual program at the Robert H. Lee Graduate School at UBC Sauder School of Business.
Amelia’s interests lie in writing, publishing and producing. She has written multiple one-act plays and is currently freelance writing for the City of Kelowna Arts & Culture district. She is a regional director of a non-profit writing collective and is also expanding her leadership skills as Deputy Speaker of the BC Youth Parliament. She is a karate instructor and internationally ranked competitor. Her aim is to combine her passion for literature with leadership and management abilities to pave the way for female writers to advance and excel in this field.
Reunion!
While going to present the award to this year's JMK winner, Service Chair Lorraine Markin spotted last year's winner!
Meet the 2020 Victoria Winner
Jessica Hu
Jessica Hu is the recipient of the Zonta Club of Victoria 2020 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.
Jessica is entering her fourth year Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Victoria.
Her volunteer experiences include: Orientation leader with UVic Student recruitment and Vice President of Robert Bateman Secondary Kiwanis Club where she completed projects in partnership with UNICEF, Salvation Army, and the local food bank.
After being selected as one of the seventeen students to enroll in the Applied Investment Management Course (AIMC) offered by UVic, Jessica has found her passion in both finance and accounting. Currently, she is doing a co-op at BCI in the investment accounting branch to further expand her knowledge base. Upon graduation she plans on pursuing her CFA and CPA designations and hopes to give back to the community.
Meet the 2019 Victoria Winner!
Sahana Sharma - Zonta Club of Victoria 2019 Jane M. Klausman Scholarship Recipient
The Zonta Club of Victoria is pleased to present Sahana Sharma with the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship in June 2019.
Sahana is in her fourth year Bachelors of Commerce program at the University of Victoria (UVic). Her plans are to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation as she has a passion for the financial side of business which will require continuous updating of knowledge on regulations and practices in this field.
Sahana’s volunteer experience includes: Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Young Women in Business Chapter at UVic, Peer Mentor with the Gustavson peer mentorship program, Director of Academics for the Commerce Student Society and orientation leader with UVic Student recruitment as well as working in a co-op experience at the Victoria Cancer Society.
To prepare for the CPA program, Sahana is committed to online courses that are not offered at UVic and has a summer co-op program with KPMG. Her interest in playing and refereeing soccer has kept her even more active and engaged with various networks. Sahana is a keen student and community leader and will succeed in all areas of business in her career.
MEET THE 2018 WINNER
Corrine Thiessen
University of Victoria weekend MBA student Corrine Thiessen has won two Zonta international women in business scholarships and is in line for a third. Thiessen first won the Zonta Club of Victoria US $2,000 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship, and went on to secure the Zonta District 8 scholarship also worth US$2,000. She has applied for the US$8,000 Zonta International scholarship.
Zonta Victoria President Barbie Zipp said there is a need for more women leaders in business pointing to the recent decision by Indra Nooyi to step down as PepsiCo chief executive. “Women make up nearly 50 percent of the global workforce,” said Zipp, “however, gender equality in senior management and corporate boardrooms around the world is a long way off. “In fact, 21.2 percent of Fortune 500 companies’ board seats are occupied by women, and just 5.2 percent of the companies' CEOs are women.” Overall, there are currently 25 female CEOs including Nooyi in the S&P 500, according to Catalyst, which promotes women in the workplace. Zonta International established the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship to encourage more women to pursue education and careers in business. Thiessen, who works for Imperial Oil in Calgary, notes that out of necessity the next generation of leaders will need to do things differently. “I have always been fascinated by the deep and complex global issues surrounding energy’s role in the quality of life, economic stability and environmental protection,” Thiessen said. “It is evident that a balanced, sustainable and secure energy future, provided by an evolving mix of fossil fuels and renewable sources, is required to maintain a high standard of living.” Finance Professor Catherine Roy‐Heaton of the Mount Royal University’s Bisset School of Business said Thiessen is “of superior intelligence and holds superior analytical and communication skills.” Imperial Oil corporate secretary Lara Pella said that in addition to being an exemplary young professional, “Corrine is a role model to all young professionals.”
