Every movement starts with a voice. At the University of Waterloo, the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business has become a stage for young leaders to test ideas, stumble, grow, and ultimately inspire. It’s not just about coursework or pitch competitions—it’s about students learning to lead with courage, creativity, and authenticity. The stories coming out of Conrad show how student voices, when given a platform, can shift not just classrooms, but communities and industries too.
Finding Confidence in the Pitch
Take Aarushi, who walked into her first Conrad pitch competition terrified of public speaking. By the end of the term, she wasn’t just presenting—she was captivating. What changed? Practice, yes. But also the support of peers and mentors who taught her that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about conviction. Today, she mentors other students, reminding them that their voices deserve to be heard.
Turning Ideas Into Impact
For Jason, Conrad was where his side hustle became something bigger. A class project on sustainable packaging turned into a startup that now partners with local cafés. “Conrad gave me permission to dream, but also the accountability to execute,” he says. His story shows how student voices aren’t just theory—they can turn into real businesses that tackle real problems.
Building Teams, Not Just Résumés
Mei-Ling arrived at Conrad expecting to sharpen her own skills. Instead, she discovered the power of collaboration. Leading a team of students from diverse disciplines taught her the humility to listen and the confidence to delegate. “Leadership,” she says, “isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about making space for every voice.”
Advocacy Beyond the Classroom
For Khalid, Conrad wasn’t just a business program—it was a platform for social change. Inspired by his coursework, he began advocating for better funding for international student entrepreneurs. His petitions and presentations to campus administration proved that student leadership can ripple beyond projects into policy.
The Conrad Effect
What ties these stories together is the way Conrad cultivates leadership through lived experience. Students aren’t waiting until graduation to step up—they’re learning to lead now. They leave with more than technical skills: they leave with stories, scars, and successes that shape them into leaders ready for whatever comes next.
At a Glance: Conrad Student Leadership
| Student Story | Leadership Lesson |
|---|---|
| Aarushi – Pitching with confidence | Leadership grows from conviction, not perfection |
| Jason – Startup founder | Ideas matter most when executed |
| Mei-Ling – Team builder | True leaders amplify every voice |
| Khalid – Advocate | Student voices can shape policy |
Conrad proves that leadership isn’t taught in lectures alone. It’s lived through collaboration, failure, resilience, and courage. And as these student voices show, the leaders of tomorrow are already finding their footing today.
FAQs
What is the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business?
It’s a University of Waterloo program focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership development for students.
How does Conrad support student leadership?
Through experiential learning, mentorship, pitch competitions, and hands-on startup projects.
Do all Conrad students start businesses?
Not necessarily—many use Conrad to sharpen leadership skills for careers in corporate, non-profit, and public sectors.
