Dream. Learn. Succeed.
The Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship was established in 2008 as the Distinguished Business Leaders Scholarship to honour the recipients of the Distinguished Business Leader Award. As the business award evolved into the Inspiring Business Leader Award, the scholarship was also renamed the Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship in 2023.
The Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship recognizes the hard work and commitment of today's business students aspiring to be tomorrow’s business leaders. It is offered annually to undergraduate students in the Haskayne School of Business entering third, fourth, or fifth year and is based on academic merit and personal statement on the topic of ethical leadership.
The scholarship is funded by the proceeds from the award gala ticket sales and sponsorships as well as generous donations from supporters of the Inspiring Business Leader Award.
2026 recipients
Meet the 2026 recipients of the Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship
Rita Boury
I am truly appreciative of having been awarded such a thoughtful investment in my education. Receiving the Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship has allowed me to prioritize my education, move closer to my academic goals, and invest time in experiences that continue to shape me both personally and professionally. As a dual degree student studying finance and software engineering at the University of Calgary, my goal is to become an entrepreneur in the technology industry. I aspire to leverage innovation to enhance people’s quality of life and address meaningful, real-world challenges. This award has reinforced my belief that I can create a lasting impact and build something that creates real value. Thank you again for your generosity and belief in my potential. I am eager to pay it forward in the future by giving back to the community that has supported me.
Ayushi Choudhary
Leadership without ethics is like traveling without a map; with no guidance, it’s easy to lose direction. I am deeply grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship, and this recognition has strengthened my resolve to lead with ethics and integrity. I believe that business can be a force for good, and I aim to embed ethical leadership into every role I undertake. Currently, as President of Enactus UCalgary, I lead a team of 100+ students working on ventures that address critical social challenges, such as financial illiteracy and Indigenous intergenerational knowledge gaps. I have relied on a strong ethical foundation to guide decision-making and create meaningful impact. As I pursue a career in strategy and entrepreneurship, I am committed to using ethical leadership to solve problems that matter. Thank you so much for selecting me as the recipient of this award, and I look forward to living up to this honour.
Goldia Guo
I am deeply honoured to be selected as a recipient of the Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the donors for investing in the futures of aspiring professionals and for making this opportunity possible through their financial support. This award has been a strong reminder of my capabilities and potential, recognizing the hard work I have devoted to my academic journey. This year, I have particularly enjoyed my Corporate Finance and Canadian Public Finance courses, the latter of which explores concepts of government taxation and spending on public services. While my Corporate Finance class focuses on decision-making for a firm, my economics class takes a broader look into Canada, which I find highly relevant and informative. This award has provided immense support for my learning and professional development. I strive to pay your kindness forward by giving back to the community in the future. Thank you again for your contributions towards such a meaningful award, which has made a lasting impact on the current and future generations of business leaders.
Sarah Hall
The opportunity to study and excel academically while preparing to intern and start my career in accounting at a Big Four firm has been both exciting and humbling. Receiving the Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship is a moment that really adds meaning to those efforts.
Your support lifts a financial weight giving me the freedom to focus on what matters most to me such as challenging myself academically and mentoring others as well as staying involved in the community.
Receiving the award established in recognition of Calgary’s most distinguished business leaders motivates me to keep striving and approach my studies with discipline while carrying forward the values that have shaped my university experience into my future career. This award has given me confidence during challenging academic moments and reminds me that the hard work and commitment to growth are worth it.
Thank you for investing in students like me. Your generosity makes a real difference, and I am grateful for the confidence you have placed in my future. I look forward to building a career that reflects the same spirit of support and leadership that this scholarship represents.
Taha Malik
Receiving the Inspiring Business Leaders Award is both an honour and a meaningful reflection on the path I am building toward. It has strengthened my belief that the goals I am pursuing at the intersection of neurotechnology and human capability are not only possible, but worth committing to fully. Through my studies in computer science and finance, I am developing the foundation needed to contribute to this space. I am particularly driven by brain computer interfaces, with the goal of working on technologies similar to Neuralink and, in the long term, building a cybernetic prosthetics company. This award has shown me that the trajectory I envision is beginning to take shape. I am becoming someone who takes on complex challenges, thinks long term, and is committed to creating technologies that meaningfully improve the way people live.
Oto Uffort
I am very grateful to be a recipient of the Inspiring Business Leaders Scholarship. Your generous support has enabled me to take classes I am truly passionate about without the financial burden of working part-time, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my studies. I have particularly enjoyed taking courses in data analysis, where I have explored how data empowers businesses to make informed, strategic decisions. Beyond academics, the scholarship has also allowed me to dedicate time to give back to the community as a Tech Mentor, guiding others in developing technology skills and confidence. This support not only eases my financial responsibilities but also inspires me to continue pursuing excellence and making a meaningful impact. I am sincerely thankful for your investment in my education and for empowering me to grow both as a student and as a community mentor.
2025 recipients
Take a look at what last year's recipients had to say about the impact of the Inspiring Business Leader Award scholarship.