Champions in business and beyond: Women who are redefining success

Amid the ever-evolving landscape of business and leadership, the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) proudly honors the contributions of its alumni who are making waves in their respective fields. These remarkable women aren’t just achieving; they’re redefining the game and lighting the ways for the leaders of tomorrow. These accolades aren’t just a celebration, but a call for future leaders to grab the torch and ignite their own paths.

Christine Faulhaber (external link) , (Marketing Management '02) founder and CEO of FAULHABER (external link)  was honored with the Universal Women's Network - Women of Inspiration Award (external link) , for her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to shattering barriers for women in business. 

Faulhaber embarked on a non-linear path to leadership, working full-time in retail during her time at TRSM. Recalling her journey, she shares, “When I was 26 years old, I had a quarter-life crisis. But really, it was a quarter-life opportunity. I started my business with a laptop in my kitchen, and I didn't have a mapped-out plan.” Her entrepreneurial spirit, nurtured at TRSM, blossomed into a business that has thrived for 24 years.

Mentorship holds a special place for Faulhaber. “Students should absolutely take advantage of mentorship,” says Faulhaber who believes mentorship starts with alumni, “I think there's more we can do. I think there should be more events, round tables, panels, etc. I hope more students or alumni reach out and hopefully this inspires people,” says Faulhaber.

Empowerment is a priority for Faulhaber, she currently mentors aspiring businesspersons through FAULHABER’s FCONSULTS (external link)  platform, the Toronto Fashion Incubator (external link) , THE FORUM (external link) , Monday Girl (external link) , and in her role as Program Advisory Committee for Humber College’s Fashion Arts and Business Diploma. As part of her dedication to building the next generation of women leaders, Christine recently appointed Lexi Pathak as President and leader of the day-to-day operations at her agency.

In 2016, FAULHABER initiated the Faulhaber Award at TMU, a 20-year commitment aimed at supporting female students aspiring to become senior leaders in communications. In response to the transformative impact of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, the award underwent a permanent adjustment. Christine Faulhaber explains the shift, “When the Black Lives Matter movement started, it was a wakeup call that the industry I’m in wasn’t diverse. We pivoted the Faulhaber Award to not only be directed towards a female student but one from a marginalized community.”

Laura Salvatore (external link) , Vice President, Human Capital at Centurion Asset Management (external link)  has earned her place among HR Directory's Top 100 Global Human Resources Leaders in 2023 (external link) , for her exceptional leadership in human resources and strategic impact on organizational development.

Receiving awards amplifies female leaders' voices, as Salvatore notes, "It puts you at the forefront of speaking to individuals that you typically wouldn't have ever gotten the opportunity to connect with. It's amazing because I'm able to listen to their ideas and experiences and then take what they've shared with me and apply it to create a better workplace."

Committed to diversity, Salvatore emphasizes inclusive leadership values, a stark change from her early experience at Centurion, where she was the lone female leader. Now, with four women on the executive committee, she sees this as a positive sign for the future. She underscores, "It's important for organizations to take accountability, and you can't take accountability without first understanding where you're sitting."

With a twelve-year journey at Centurion, Salvatore attributes her success to her TRSM human resources degree, overcoming the historical undervaluation of HR. Reflecting on her TRSM experience, she advocates for mentorship, stating, "Being a mentor would be a great way to help new and upcoming graduates...Networking with other women is huge. If I could say anything, it would be finding a mentor. Reach out to other female alumni who are in leadership roles. Pick their brains, try to meet with them regularly, find out how they got to where they are, and figure out what challenges they experienced."

Salvatore's recognition aligns with TRSM's commitment to producing diverse leaders. Her achievements highlight TRSM's education in preparing graduates for leadership roles that extend beyond traditional boundaries. Salvatore concludes, "My team has been recognized as one of the most innovative HR teams for the last three years...we give them the tools they need to become an effective leader one day."