Alumni Profile
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Emma White
Fry Family Foundation Ralph Vincent Memorial Business Scholarship, 2022-23
Fry Family Foundation Alumni Network Advisory Council member since 2024
Fry Family Foundation Ralph Vincent Memorial Business Scholarship, 2022-23
Fry Family Foundation Alumni Network Advisory Council member since 2024
Growing Through Leadership, Learning, and Global Experiences
I am currently in my fourth year of the Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) program at Memorial University, a journey that has taken me from my hometown of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to studying abroad at Harlow Campus in the United Kingdom.Throughout my studies, I have engaged in experiences that have helped me grow, broaden my perspective, and shape my understanding of leadership.
I have always had an interest in business, problem-solving, and leadership, but I did not always know what that would look like for me. I began my studies at Grenfell Campus before continuing at Memorial’s St. John’s campus, where I found opportunities that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I became involved in volunteering for Memorial University’s Relay for Life Committee, joined the Commerce Student Council as the Director of Events, and became a competing member of the Undergraduate Moot Court Society with Memorial University’s Law Society, which took me to Ottawa for the national Capital Cup competition. Each of these experiences taught me something different, whether it was how to organize events, advocate under pressure, or bring people together for a common goal.
One of the most valuable experiences I have had has been joining Memorial’s Limitless Leadership Program, where I have had the opportunity to refine my leadership skills through executive coaching, mentorship, and professional development workshops, while collaborating with a cohort of 20 talented female students from Memorial University. As part of this program, I am working to develop the Leadership Passport Project, a self-reflection tool designed to help individuals explore different leadership perspectives through global experiences and cultural insights.
While studying abroad, I use this project to observe and reflect on how leadership varies across different countries, considering the values, decision-making approaches, and cultural influences that shape leadership styles. The Passport Project serves as a guide for self-reflection and leadership growth, encouraging participants to engage with new experiences, challenge their perspectives, and recognize the skills they develop along the way. Through this initiative, I aim to create a resource that helps individuals build confidence, adaptability, and a broader understanding of leadership in a global context.
Beyond academics, the Commerce (Co-op) program has provided me with hands-on experience in both startup environments and large corporations, helping me apply classroom learning in diverse professional settings. Working in a fast-paced startup introduced me to the world of entrepreneurship, marketing, and operations, while my time at Imperial Oil immersed me in contract management and AI-driven procurement training in a corporate setting. These experiences challenged me to adapt to different workplace cultures, think strategically, and develop a deeper understanding of the many career paths ahead. Each role pushed me to grow—whether by navigating the unpredictability of a startup or learning the structured processes of a large corporation, helping me build confidence in my ability to lead, learn, and evolve in any environment.
My academic journey has now taken me to Harlow, United Kingdom, where I am applying my studies in a real-world setting. Through our coursework, I have been able to engage in consulting projects with local businesses, helping them navigate challenges and develop strategic solutions. We have also had the opportunity to visit Moody’s Rating Investors Service and McKinsey & Company in London, where I gained insight into global finance and consulting, reinforcing the possibilities that a Memorial University degree can provide.
Studying and working in different environments has given me the opportunity to adapt, think critically, and approach challenges from new perspectives. At times, balancing various commitments has been difficult, but each experience has helped me develop a stronger understanding of leadership as a process of learning, growth, and problem-solving.
Looking back, I never would have imagined that the choices I made — starting at Grenfell, getting involved on campus, and joining the Limitless Leadership Program — would lead me here. And I know that I did not get here alone.
The support of the Fry Family Foundation has made many of these opportunities possible. Their commitment to supporting students, developing leadership, and opening doors has allowed me to travel, learn, and grow in ways I never expected. Because of their generosity, I have been able to explore leadership on a global scale, and I hope to carry forward that same spirit of support and mentorship in the future.
I do not know exactly what comes next, but I hope to pursue a path that allows me to apply my skills in a meaningful way. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that stepping outside of your comfort zone always leads to something new and exciting. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
Emma
I am currently in my fourth year of the Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) program at Memorial University, a journey that has taken me from my hometown of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to studying abroad at Harlow Campus in the United Kingdom.Throughout my studies, I have engaged in experiences that have helped me grow, broaden my perspective, and shape my understanding of leadership.
I have always had an interest in business, problem-solving, and leadership, but I did not always know what that would look like for me. I began my studies at Grenfell Campus before continuing at Memorial’s St. John’s campus, where I found opportunities that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I became involved in volunteering for Memorial University’s Relay for Life Committee, joined the Commerce Student Council as the Director of Events, and became a competing member of the Undergraduate Moot Court Society with Memorial University’s Law Society, which took me to Ottawa for the national Capital Cup competition. Each of these experiences taught me something different, whether it was how to organize events, advocate under pressure, or bring people together for a common goal.
One of the most valuable experiences I have had has been joining Memorial’s Limitless Leadership Program, where I have had the opportunity to refine my leadership skills through executive coaching, mentorship, and professional development workshops, while collaborating with a cohort of 20 talented female students from Memorial University. As part of this program, I am working to develop the Leadership Passport Project, a self-reflection tool designed to help individuals explore different leadership perspectives through global experiences and cultural insights.
While studying abroad, I use this project to observe and reflect on how leadership varies across different countries, considering the values, decision-making approaches, and cultural influences that shape leadership styles. The Passport Project serves as a guide for self-reflection and leadership growth, encouraging participants to engage with new experiences, challenge their perspectives, and recognize the skills they develop along the way. Through this initiative, I aim to create a resource that helps individuals build confidence, adaptability, and a broader understanding of leadership in a global context.
Beyond academics, the Commerce (Co-op) program has provided me with hands-on experience in both startup environments and large corporations, helping me apply classroom learning in diverse professional settings. Working in a fast-paced startup introduced me to the world of entrepreneurship, marketing, and operations, while my time at Imperial Oil immersed me in contract management and AI-driven procurement training in a corporate setting. These experiences challenged me to adapt to different workplace cultures, think strategically, and develop a deeper understanding of the many career paths ahead. Each role pushed me to grow—whether by navigating the unpredictability of a startup or learning the structured processes of a large corporation, helping me build confidence in my ability to lead, learn, and evolve in any environment.
My academic journey has now taken me to Harlow, United Kingdom, where I am applying my studies in a real-world setting. Through our coursework, I have been able to engage in consulting projects with local businesses, helping them navigate challenges and develop strategic solutions. We have also had the opportunity to visit Moody’s Rating Investors Service and McKinsey & Company in London, where I gained insight into global finance and consulting, reinforcing the possibilities that a Memorial University degree can provide.
Studying and working in different environments has given me the opportunity to adapt, think critically, and approach challenges from new perspectives. At times, balancing various commitments has been difficult, but each experience has helped me develop a stronger understanding of leadership as a process of learning, growth, and problem-solving.
Looking back, I never would have imagined that the choices I made — starting at Grenfell, getting involved on campus, and joining the Limitless Leadership Program — would lead me here. And I know that I did not get here alone.
The support of the Fry Family Foundation has made many of these opportunities possible. Their commitment to supporting students, developing leadership, and opening doors has allowed me to travel, learn, and grow in ways I never expected. Because of their generosity, I have been able to explore leadership on a global scale, and I hope to carry forward that same spirit of support and mentorship in the future.
I do not know exactly what comes next, but I hope to pursue a path that allows me to apply my skills in a meaningful way. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that stepping outside of your comfort zone always leads to something new and exciting. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
Emma