Women in Business

n a college environment, a sense of collaborative community is fostered in student-led organizations. One such is the Women in Business group, led by marketing lecturer Danielle Corrigan who takes pride in not only providing graduates with a vast network of professional connections, but with a supportive community that leads by example.

When Corrigan took over the WIB group in 2019, she inherited a group of about 50-100 students. Last fall, the organization measured 750. They have over 2,000 followers on Instagram, one of the highest totals among WIB groups in the Southeastern Conference.

WIB offers members philanthropic and service opportunities, speakers, social gatherings, and networking with inspirational women working in business. Corrigan whole-heartedly believes in providing a place where students feel like they belong, much in the same way as campus sororities function.

Corrigan knew she was onto something special over fall break 2024, when she took 35 WIB members to Nashville to network with industry professionals and Harbert alumni. Recalling one student’s story, “She said ‘I came on this trip not knowing anyone and now I feel like I have friends for the rest of my college career.’ And that…oh, my heart just exploded when I heard that.”

This past spring, WIB monthly general meetings featured professionals like Her Search founder Caroline Shunk who discussed the challenges women face in today’s job market and shared strategies for finding meaningful and fulfilling careers; and Art of Sucre founder Emily Harpel who shared her entrepreneurial journey. The group also held several community events collecting hundreds of canned goods to donate to the Food Bank of East Alabama and organizing a volunteer day to clean up Chewacla State Park.

The organization also hosts events designed to enhance engagement and camaraderie among members. This spring, members were treated to an outdoor yoga session by The Yoga Room, workout classes at F45 and Twisted Cycle, professional headshots, and various freebies at local restaurants.

Corrigan says that watching the WIB organization grow and thrive has been the highlight of her career at Auburn and she wants to keep that momentum going. Corrigan has just created Harbert Women in Business, a sister organization to the student group, focusing on alumni. She has also begun efforts to unify female student organizations within other colleges by meeting with group sponsors like herself to establish a cohesive women’s initiative community for the university.

“I do believe confidence among females still is not the same as it is in men and that’s one of my biggest reasons for continuing this organization,” Corrigan says. “We need our young women to have more confidence in everything they do.”