The 2025 International Women’s Day Breakfast, hosted by the Women in Management Network (WMN), brought together students, alumni, and professionals for a morning of reflection and empowerment. The event featured a keynote address from former banking executive Jane Jhaveri-Malt, whose career spans leadership roles at Tangerine Bank, IBM, and Scotiabank. Attendees also participated in group discussions, reflecting on personal values, leadership, and pressures for women in the workplace.

Jane opened her speech by reflecting on her experience as a child of Indian immigrant parents, feeling caught between two cultures. 

“I wasn’t Canadian enough, and I wasn’t Indian enough,” she shared. 

She described how societal and familial expectations shaped her early years, leading her to question her worth constantly. “I spent so much of my life trying to fit in and prove that I was enough—smart enough, cultured enough, good enough.”

Her turning point came when she embraced her dual identity as a strength rather than a limitation. 

“Instead of thinking of myself as half of this and half of that, I decided that maybe two halves could be greater than the whole,” she said. 

Jane then shifted to a topic often stigmatized in professional settings: vulnerability. 

She emphasized, "Vulnerability is not a weakness; it’s a bridge to deeper connections and trust.” 

Added how asking for feedback and being open about her struggles helped her grow as a leader and build stronger relationships with her teams.

“When you lead with vulnerability, you permit others to do the same. That’s how you build trust and foster true collaboration.”

Drawn from her own experiences, Jane also offered actionable advice for attendees, beginning with defining one's values, for her to always grow, be authentic, and have an impact. She mentioned the goal of " Figuring out what truly matters to you and letting those values guide your decisions.” 

Next, was the importance of building allies,  “When someone tries to diminish you, having someone in your corner can make all the difference.” she highlights.

Finally, Jane mentions taking risks, specifically not being afraid to ask for what you want, whether it’s a promotion, a new opportunity, or “simply a seat at the table”.

As her speech concluded, she turned the discussion to the attendees, posing a simple question: “Right here, right now, are you enough?”

Jane Jhaveri-Malt delivers her keynote speech to event participants. 

As attendees broke into small group discussions, the conversations echoed a shared sentiment. 

“My gut reaction was to say no… if I’m being honest with myself,” one attendee said.

For many, this internal conflict stemmed from cultural expectations and familial pressures. Like Jane, numerous attendees were from immigrant backgrounds where high standards and relentless drive were the norm. Others echoed the sentiment, citing imposter syndrome, the exhausting cycle of self-comparison, and that persistent voice whispering, "you could have done more."

One student captured a sentiment many shared: “I always feel like it's never enough. It was never as much as the potential that it had to be, so I should have done more... If I just worked harder, I could have done more.” they shared. 

The Women in Management Network Team with keynote speaker Jane Jhaveri-Malt.

Amid these admissions, many alumni gave hopeful pieces of advice, one that is a reminder that growth isn’t bound by time, with one stating that “there's in fact no deadline for figuring it all out,” they said.

As the morning concluded, the event ended on an empowering note, encouraging everyone in the room from students to alumni to lead with empathy, define success on their own terms, and remember: you are already enough.

As Jane said, “If I can get to a place where I am so good, so secure with who I am—then I will be enough for me. And everything else will just fall into place.”

WMN Co-president Kristina Milijevic, VP Career Amanneet Sandhu, event organizer, and Co-president Caitlin Walsh.