Maria Jose Chiriboga

Member of the Dean’s List, class of 2025

An advocate for inclusivity and empowerment

Maria found a strong connection with the Women in Business Society’s ethos of empowering women from the moment she joined. Maria thrived as an active contributor to the society,  starting out as a First-Year Representative, progressing to Media and Publicity Officer, and finally earning her place as President of the society in her final year. Under Maria’s leadership, the society won the ‘Flourishing Society of the Year’ award and Maria herself won the ‘Long Term Contribution to a Society’ award, in recognition of her dedication and commitment to the group. 

As the Women and Inclusions Officer for the Investment Society, Maria was passionate about creating a more inclusive space to encourage female participation in the world of finance. She recognised the importance of creating a space where members felt empowered, and took the initiative to organise events and forge partnerships to cultivate a more inclusive community. 

Making an impact on student life

Maria immersed herself in student life and made a positive impact on the student community during her time at Sheffield. For four years, Maria was a dedicated Student Ambassador for the Economics Department, Management School, and International Recruitment Office. She shared her experiences with many prospective and current students helping them feel welcome at open days and recruitment activities.  

As Online Engagement Officer for the Volunteering Committee, Maria was key to promoting volunteer opportunities to over 30,000 students. Her efforts helped address issues including food poverty, homelessness, and environmental conservation, and her contributions earned her the title ‘Fresher of the Year 2022.’ 

Beyond these roles, Maria's commitment to her peers was clear. She served as a Residence Life Mentor, guiding new students as they transitioned to university life. She was also a Content Creator for the Management School and an Employability Assistant at The Wave Cornerstone, where she helped students with job applications and interview preparation.

Leading with purpose

During her placement year as an E-commerce Analyst at PepsiCo, Maria went above and beyond her core duties. She took on a leadership role in the company's Green Team where she championed sustainability initiatives and earned the ‘Sustainability Award.’ Impressed by her impact, PepsiCo offered Maria an extended role as a part-time Account Executive during her final year of studies.

Maria's drive for leadership was also evident in her role as Americas Representative for the International Students' Committee. Here, she took the initiative to become the lead organiser for TEDxUniversityofSheffield 2022. She also took on leadership positions within the Investment Society, serving first as an analyst in the Twicker Fund and later as the Women and Inclusions Officer.

An international outlook

Maria further developed her international perspective, holding a leadership position as Community Strategist and Social Media Manager for a climate action education NGO. Maria’s work advocated for their climate project to be integrated into the national curricula, reaching over 3 million students and teachers worldwide. She further broadened her international experience by completing a summer school at Esade Business School.

Recognition

Maria's exceptional contributions have been widely recognised. She is the first-ever management student to achieve all three levels of the Dean's List at levels 1, 2, and 3. Her academic excellence was also noted on a national level, making the shortlist for the prestigious Henry Fellowship, a programme that funds study at either Harvard or Yale University.

Finally, Maria was honored with the University's Chancellor's Medal Award 2025, a testament to her outstanding contributions to university life.