Empowering the Next Generation: A Look Inside WBLA 2026
Written by Michelle Monier
April 10, 2026
As the winter quarter came to a close, so did WIB’s annual Women in Business Leadership Academy, WBLA. The program is a 10-week course that aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional identity. While fulfilling the BUS 206 requirement, WBLA goes far beyond the typical lecture-based instruction and operates through a mentorship structure.
This year, 45 first-year mentees were paired into groups with mentor upperclassmen to execute a series of professional benchmarks. The curriculum, a balance between technical practices and soft skills, is taught by WIB leadership, marking a full ladder of “Learn-by-Doing.” The program was led by WIB’s Vice President of Programming, Ivana Staples, the Director of Programming Experience, Julia Arrizon and the Director of Programming Logistics, Onela Banerjee.
The WBLA Experience
The heart of WBLA is the mentor-mentee relationships that not only structure the classroom but also provide the space for real conversations. Participants were required to read Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead before the course’s commencement, and then connected the themes of the book to the curriculum throughout the quarter. The book discusses honest topics of vulnerability, fear, bravery, courage, and much more
The mentor groups provide an intimate enough space for mentees to open up to their mentors about these topics and their importance as they traverse male-dominated industries and professional rigor.
“The fact that, here at OCOB, we have so many resources, and then as women, we have a safer space. Fostering an environment where people get to learn by doing, and put our foot out the door our freshman year, is honestly incredibly unique,” Banerjee said.
Within these groups, students undertook a curriculum that focused on primary areas of professional development:
Technical Branding: Students audited their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters to industry standards.
Corporate Exposure: WBLA hit the road and participated in a day-long corporate tour in the Bay Area to observe the environments and operations of firms such as Amazon and Adobe.
Professional Relationships: Weekly workshops broke down interview questions and mechanics, networking behaviors, and professional branding.
The Core Takeaways for 2026: Director Perspectives
To ensure the program’s success, the programming team upheld an environment that prioritized vulnerability over perfection and led with courage. Reflecting on leadership styles, Arrizon shared her key leadership development acquired from her WBLA experience.
“I used to think that to be a leader you had to be the loudest in the room, but I’ve learned that leadership sometimes means stepping back and ensuring everyone is cohesive. It is being ‘the glue’ that gets all the pieces together and working efficiently,” Arrizon said.
Both Arrizon and Banerjee highlighted the importance of WBLA in career development, however they also emphasized life after the program. Arrizon said she hopes mentees leave WBLA with a sense of ambition.
“Do not be afraid to be ambitious,” Arrizon said. “Despite being a woman in this field, which is run by males, you can do great things. Don’t let your womanhood scare you.”
This idea was reinforced throughout WBLA through guest speakers, and especially during the all-women panels during the Bay Area corporate tour, where mentees heard from women in industry leaders like Amazon and Adobe.
The Power of WBLA
As the 2026 mentees transition out of WBLA, they leave with more than a polished resume or course completion. They have gained a community of peers and mentors who have navigated the same career anxieties, academic hurdles, and the unique pressure that stems from ambition.
The success of this year’s academy reinforces the importance of women empowering spaces, especially in business. Given the tools of professional proficiency and brave leadership, this next generation of women won’t just enter the workforce with confidence, but with the ability to transform it. For the 45 mentees of WBLA 2026, the conclusion of the winter quarter course is not the end, but rather the beginning of their journey as the next set of industry-ready leaders.