Craigs Investment Partners’ Women in Business Scholarship awarded to Sasha Ghadirian

Photo (L to R): Craigs’ Tauranga branch General Manager Hayley Nelson, scholarship recipient Sasha Ghadirian, Craigs CEO Simon Tong, and Craigs Head of People and Performance Angie Smith.

Fourth year Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) student, Sasha Ghadirian, has been awarded the Craigs Investment Partner’s Women in Business Scholarship for 2025. Launched in 2022, the scholarship encourages women into business and finance-related professions. The scholarship is a core component of Craigs’ broader commitment to women, sitting alongside Craigs’ partnership with Global Women, and the Craigs’ Women’s Wealth programme that has educated and empowered female investors since 2007.

The scholarship provides financial support, and mentoring from a female senior leader at Craigs, to a promising final-year female undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) at the University of Waikato.

Sasha says the financial contribution has helped to pay her tuition fees for the year, but she is most excited about the mentoring opportunity.

“I am excited about learning from a senior leader at Craigs Investment with real-world experience, industry insight, and practical knowledge that extends beyond what is taught in lectures. I believe this mentorship will play a crucial role in my future development by deepening my understanding of the financial industry and enhancing my skills in areas essential for my career. I have always wished to experience working in a financial consultancy agency to build a strong foundation in finance that would support my future career aspirations. I also hope to help my family and the community improve their financial literacy while empowering more women to pursue a career in business. This mentorship is an important step towards achieving that vision,” says Sasha.

Craigs’ Tauranga branch General Manager Hayley Nelson will provide mentorship to Sasha, as she did the scholarship’s two previous recipients.

Hayley sees her role as supplementing what Sasha learns through her studies with real-world experience, offering advice and support, and creating opportunities for Sasha through her and Craigs’ networks.

“In many ways it is about representation and visibility in what have traditionally been male-dominated fields. The purpose of the scholarship is to support women into these fields and that’s a financial commitment but also a commitment to walk alongside the recipient. Many scholarships start and end with a financial contribution, we are proud that ours includes dedicated time through the year which can be priceless for the recipient,” says Hayley, who has maintained her connection with previous recipients long term.

Sasha is majoring in strategic management and minoring in finance and economics.  She is passionate about leveraging strategic business knowledge to drive social change and uplift communities. Craigs’ Head of People and Performance Angie Smith says it was Sasha’s commitment to empowerment and advocacy for women, together with her exceptional academic record, that set her apart from the many accomplished candidates.

Sasha has led a Youth Enterprise Scheme business through the COVID-19 pandemic and volunteered at Hamilton’s Bahá’í Centre. When she completes her studies she plans to seek opportunities where she can help communities to grow and thrive.

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