WHEN Monique Fenton, a medical sciences student at The University of the West Indies (UWI) returned to campus this month, she did so with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision for the year ahead.

Fenton, who hails from the breadbasket parish of St Elizabeth, was among the many women who participated in the recent Jamaica Observer All Woman vision board event, titled Wishes to Wins.

For Fenton, the five-hour event was more than a workshop – it was a transformative experience.

“I’m now hyper-focused on my goals and excited about the year ahead and the success I will undoubtedly achieve,” she shared.

As a recipient of the Scotiabank UWI Toronto Gala Scholarship, Fenton was specially invited to the event by Scotia Group, one of the event’s sponsors.

“I’m grateful to Scotia for the invitation. It was a beautiful experience that allowed me to meet so many phenomenal and inspiring women,” she said.

Fenton also noted that she particularly enjoyed the presentations: from financial tips shared by Tracia Woodburn-Morris of Scotia Investments to the insightful and engaging keynote address by motivational speaker Georgia Crawford.

“I was also completely clueless about wine before, but after that Sunday’s session, I now know a thing or two,” she added with a smile, referring to the tutorial on the fermented beverage from Harbour Wines & Spirits, which was integrated into the afternoon’s activities.

The vision board exercise left a lasting impact on Fenton, especially in her pursuit of a medical career. “As a medical student, it can be challenging to balance finances, coursework, social life, and everything in-between. But after Sunday, I feel inspired. I’ve already started taking the steps to find joy in life while continuing my education,” she explained.

Fellow Scotiabank scholarship recipient Shanneil Allen was also in attendance. A student of statistics and economics at The UWI, Allen will complete her undergraduate degree in May.

She reflected on how the event helped her design her goals for the year.

“The highlight for me was the discussion on the ‘seasons of your life’. From that session, I realised I’m in my ‘thriving’ season. I’ve aligned my goals for this year accordingly, and they’re reflected on my vision board,” she said.

Allen, who is passionate about numbers, plans to pursue a career as a statistician or a lecturer in statistics. She added that networking with successful women from various fields at the event has reinforced her commitment to unlocking her full potential.

“I met an engineer, a brand manager, a journalist, and a financial advisor, each excelling in their respective careers. Speaking with them was eye-opening and inspiring as I envision my life post-graduation,” she explained.

Scotiabank has been the lead sponsor of the gala since its inaugural staging in 2010. Proceeds from the event finance sponsorships for at least 15 students each year. The sponsorship commitment now stands at CAD$100,000 or approximately $10,900,000 annually.

Scotia also invited several participants in its Vision Achiever programme to experience the event. The Scotiabank Vision Achiever is a 17-week programme for small and medium-sized business operators that is designed to impart the core competencies required for running a profitable business.

Founder of Cradle of Life Limited, Simeca Alexander was among the vision achievers in attendance.

The mother, wife, and entrepreneur shared that the event helped her identify her current “nurturing season”.

“This year, I’m focusing on strengthening my relationships with my partner and children while also growing my business. I’m a strong believer in manifesting your dreams, and with my completed vision board, I’m determined to make my plans a reality,” she said.

Yanique Forbes-Patrick, vice-president of public affairs and communications at Scotia Group, expressed the bank’s commitment to empowering women at every stage of their lives.

“We believe in empowering women to achieve their dreams. Wishes to Wins perfectly aligns with Scotia’s ethos of supporting women and we’re proud to have played a role in making this important event possible,” Forbes-Patrick said.