Shattering glass ceilings: Navigating career growth, motherhood and the UBC PMBA 

In celebration of International Women's Day, we highlight the inspiring journeys of a UBC Professional MBA student and alumni—Shabnam Sultana, a working mother who navigated career growth, motherhood and education, and Bessie Liu, a finance professional who transitioned into product leadership at Amazon.  

Their stories shed light on the challenges women face in the workforce and how they overcame them through resilience, strategic decision-making and a strong support network.  
 

Shabnam’s story: Finding career footing  

Fifteen years ago, Shabnam immigrated to Canada with a bachelor's degree in business. Financial constraints and the responsibilities of motherhood put her career aspirations on hold. Between 2011 and 2019, Shabnam held a variety of roles across different industries in BC and Alberta, including insurance, supply chain and construction project management, before transitioning into her career in IT.  

“In 2019, I started a role managing Microsoft Partner programs, which became a pivotal step in my career, deepening my expertise in the channel business, cloud industry and SaaS models.” Shabnam recalls. As she gained experience in IT and sales operations, she recognized the need to further her education to advance in leadership roles. “The UBC PMBA was the perfect fit. My company was supportive, and my son was old enough for me to balance school, work, and family life,” she explains. 

Juggling family, work and an education 

Balancing a demanding job, rigorous coursework, and motherhood required meticulous prioritization and support.  
 
“You never have enough time. The biggest learning was how to prioritize—school, work and my relationship with my son,” she explains. “As women, we are often hesitant to ask for help. I had to communicate my workload to my manager and ask my son to be more independent. The UBC PMBA network was invaluable. My classmates were always there to support me, and I've learned to lean on my support system, both in and out of the classroom.” 

As a working mother, Shabnam also encountered biases in the workplace early on in her career.

“In my early jobs, my son was often sick, and I had to ask for days off. That was very difficult,” she recalls.  

“I set clear expectations early on, creating a workplace that values both career and personal responsibilities,” she notes. 

Her advice to mothers pursuing higher education is to involve their children in the journey.  
 
“As my son is in his teenage years, my child is my friend. We both share our school experiences, reflecting our classroom discussions and exploring new learnings together,” she shares. “He understands my workload, and seeing how independent and responsible he has become has been the most rewarding part of this journey.” 
 

Bessie’s Journey: Pivoting from a career in finance to product leadership 

Bessie’s professional path began in public accounting, where she honed her skills in tax and audit. After earning her CPA designation, she transitioned to a senior financial analyst role at Amazon. Despite her success in finance, Bessie felt a pull towards product management. To bridge the gap between her financial background and her aspirations in product leadership, she enrolled in the UBC PMBA. 
 

Leveraging the UBC PMBA for career growth 

“The UBC PMBA program was ideal as it allowed me to immediately apply classroom learning to real-world scenarios,” Bessie reflects. “Within six months, I was successfully leading multi-billion-dollar projects at Amazon.” 

 
“The UBC PMBA connected me with accomplished professionals across industries. These relationships proved invaluable, offering practical insights for career decisions,” she notes. 
 

Leaning on mentors and practicing self-advocacy 

“Early in my career, a mentor assigned me challenging tasks that stretched my capabilities. Through his guidance, I learned that professional growth comes from embracing challenges, not avoiding them,” she shares. 

 
“I actively seek opportunities, speak up in meetings and come prepared with data about my achievements when negotiating roles or responsibilities,” she advises. 
 

Creating more supportive work environments 

Shabnam and Bessie agree that organizations need to implement policies that support women balancing career and family life.  
 
“Transparent maternity leave policies, flexible work arrangements, and leadership development programs are key,” Bessie states. “Companies need to create an environment where women feel confident taking time off without jeopardizing career progression,” adds Shabnam. 
 
Programs like UBC Sauder's PMBA provide essential tools and networks to help women navigate complex career transitions. With determination and the right support, Bessie and Shabnam have struck the balance between professional development and personal responsibilities successfully. Their stories serve as a testament to resilience and the power of embracing challenges, inspiring other women to pursue their aspirations with confidence.