Craigs Investment Partners’ Women in Business Scholarship recipient announced

Third year Bachelor of Business student, Olivia Manninen, has been awarded the Craigs Investment Partner’s Women in Business Scholarship for 2024.

Craigs launched the scholarship in 2022 to support more women into business and finance-related professions. The scholarship is part of the firm’s broader commitment to women alongside its partnership with Global Women, which champions diversity in leadership, 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.

Olivia says the financial contribution will help her achieve her goal of completing her studies without student debt, but the mentoring is invaluable.

“I have been fortunate to receive other scholarships during my studies, but the commitment to a year of mentoring really sets the Craigs’ scholarship apart. I am looking forward to having Hayley’s guidance and support through my final year of study,” says Olivia.

Craigs’ Tauranga branch General Manager Hayley Nelson mentored the scholarship’s inaugural recipient last year and will be Olivia’s mentor, too.

Hayley sees her role as supplementing what Olivia learns through her studies with real-world experience, offering advice and support, and opening opportunities for Olivia 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.

“In May alone, we are able to extend invitations for Olivia to our Craigs’ Women’s Wealth event, the launch of the Western Bay of Plenty Women’s Fund, and the Business Women’s Network Speaker Series.”

Olivia is majoring in accounting and has already secured a graduate auditor position that will support her to become a Chartered Accountant once she completes her degree. She enjoyed studying accounting at school and is attracted to the range of career paths she can pursue by completing her CA. She is currently the student representative for Chartered Accountants ANZ and a sessional assistant for the University of Waikato.

Olivia says her strong desire to continue to live and work in the Bay of Plenty has played a role in her study and career decisions.

“I have spent time in Auckland and Wellington, and I really value the lifestyle we have here in the Bay of Plenty. Being able to get my degree at the Tauranga campus and secure a role with a local firm that will support me to build on my qualifications without moving away has been great,” she says.

Beyond her studies, Olivia enjoys sewing, knitting and crochet – and, of course, the beach.

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

For more updates, visit our Craigs Investment Partners Facebook page.

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