About Us
Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (HUWIB) is the largest undergraduate business organization dedicated to empowering women to become future leaders across industries. Founded in 2000 by ten undergraduate women, HUWIB has grown to be the premier community for driven, ambitious, and talented individuals to engage in professional development, mentorship, and networking. Our alumnae have gone on to lead startups, launch social ventures, and shape leading firms across sectors.
At HUWIB, we believe that business is not just about numbers and strategies—it’s about innovation, leadership, and creating meaningful impact. Our organization serves as an elite arena for more than 400 undergraduate women to explore careers in finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, marketing, technology, and beyond. Through our diverse programming, we equip members with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to break barriers and redefine success in the business world.
Each year, we host a wide range of events, including speaker series with industry pioneers, skill-building workshops, and networking sessions with top companies. Our flagship conferences– the Intercollegiate Business Convention (IBC) and the Business Oriented Leadership Development Conference (BOLD)– bring together students and professionals from around the world, fostering collaboration and inspiring the next generation of business leaders. Within Harvard, HUWIB acts as a bridge to the professional world, offering exclusive sessions with top firms, mentorship programs, and opportunities to expand members’ professional toolkits and leadership potential.
Beyond professional development, HUWIB is a close-knit community where lifelong friendships are formed. Our members share a passion for progress and a commitment to uplifting one another. Whether through small-group dinners, skill-building sessions, or community outings, we learn, grow, and thrive together.
HUWIB is also deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business world. We recognize the unique challenges that women may face in leadership and actively advocate for a culture of empowerment and representation for all identities in the workforce.
Whether you’re a first-year student curious about business or a seasoned leader looking to connect with our undergraduate network, HUWIB welcomes you. Join us in shaping the future of business.
Timeline of Our History
2000
10 Harvard women founded Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (HUWIB). The first conference, "Preparing to Lead", attracted 250 participants.
2002
HUWIB held its first-ever WIBternship, where 40 new Associates were inducted into the organization. HUWIB headed to New York City for its first Corporate Outreach trip.
2005
HUWIB held its first annual Intercollegiate Business Convention (IBC), attracting nearly 400 students from schools across New England.
Borden founded the HUWIB Corporate Mentorship Program, which pairs undergraduate women with professional business mentors.
2006
HUWIB went on its first Career Exploration Trip to San Francisco, California, visiting companies in different industries.
HUWIB launched the mini-MBA curriculum designed to educate Associates and to develop important business skills.
HUWIB debuted the first issue of its annual magazine, Make It Happen, which has since then evolved into The Glass Floor.
2007
HUWIB introduced a variety of programs, including business school prep events, career development events, and the Externship Program.
The WIBternship program grew 30% and HUWIB welcomed 185 new undergraduate women to the organization.
HUWIB also launched the Corporate Mentorship Program and Young Women in Business (YWIB).
2009
HUWIB worked with two other student groups to organize the first annual Women’s Stock Pitch Competition. HUWIB introduced an annual Women’s Business Convention (now renamed International Women in Business [IWIB]) and a Social Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition (now renamed the Innovation Challenge).
HUWIB creates a publication called Make it Happen, which is a magazine released monthly.
2010
HUWIB Undergraduate and Alumnae Boards collaborated to celebrate the HUWIB Decennial and create a HUWIB Advisory Board, comprised of leading professional women and men in the business world. HUWIB saw the largest WIBtern class ever with over 150 new members in the fall.
2014
HUWIB celebrated IBC’s tenth anniversary with a record attendance of over 1,200 students. Keynotes included New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, Chanel CEO Maureen Chiquet, and model-coder Lyndsey Scott. We also traveled on our second international Career Exploratory trip to Shanghai and hosted our first-ever “WIB Week” to showcase HUWIB’s exceptional programming.
2017
HUWIB launched The Young Women Business Leadership Conference (YWBLC), now known as the Business Oriented Leadership Development (BOLD) conference, which brought together over 150 high school women throughout the nation who shared a passion for business, and built a community of support and empowerment.
Mary Erodes does a panel session.
2018
HUWIB launched The Glass Floor, an online women’s business publication written by Harvard students and working professionals.
IBC: held in the Harvard Science Center.
2019
The Diversity Committee was launched and led its inaugural Social Impact Conference (SIC), which provides a day dedicated to discussion on diversity within fields of social impact, innovation, and philanthropy.
HUWIB has its first Boston trek
HUWIB has its first diversity dinner
HUWIB has its first formal (gala), held at Chart House
IBC: held at Seaport World Trade Center
2020
HUWIB created its own brokerage account and official investing arm of the organization, under the Finance Committee. HUWIB also launched the HUWIB Shop to more easily order HUWIB merchandise in an online format.
2021
The Philanthropy Committee was launched and led the first WIB Gala benefiting Bright Pink to prevent breast and ovarian cancer in young women.
WIB gala: held in Garage basement.
Boston treks: BCG.
2022
IBC: held at Marriott Copley Hotel
BOLD: held in the SEC
WIB gala: canceled by the venue (Queens Head Pub)
Boston treks: BCG, Whoop, Wayfair, Bain
2023
The Treasurer role was reintroduced
WIB has its first spring comp
IBC: held in Harvard Science Center with ~370 attendees
BOLD: held in the SEC with ~200 attendees
WIB gala: held in the SOCH
The Philanthropy committee worked with Casa Myrna
Boston treks: Atreides, Bain
2024
The Secretary role was reintroduced
The Investing Committee merged with Career Development
Philanthropy and parts of the Member Development Committee joined together to become community engagement
Membership Development focuses solely on the WIBternship
IBC: held in Sanders Theater with ~X attendees, $X earned
BOLD: held in the SEC with 300+ attendees, the highest ever
SIC is now integrated with IBC and BOLD
International trip to London
Boston treks: WHOOP, Fidelity, Bessemer, BCG, Bain, Liberty Mutual
Founded in 2000 by 10 undergraduate students, HUWIB has grown into a leading community of empowerment for college women at Harvard and beyond.
HUWIB strives to empower and unite a dynamic group of 700+ enterprising young women at Harvard University through business education and experience. With an executive board and 9 sub-committees, HUWIB creates programming that introduces aspiring business leaders to a diverse range of business opportunities.
Learn about what our organization has been up to by scrolling through the website!
In the News
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