Lazaridis Students' Society: Shaping future business leaders at Laurier

Oct. 1, 2024

The Lazaridis Students' Society (LazSoc) is a student-run organization supporting students in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. Part of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (WLUSU), LazSoc acts as the umbrella organization for 23 business and economics – related clubs, associations and committees. Faculty-based clubs provide great opportunities for students, tailored to their program and future aspirations. LazSoc clubs offer a variety of events, programming, and leadership opportunities.

For the 2024/25 academic year, LazSoc is led by co-presidents Harpinder Gill and Sebastian Zervas, two passionate leaders dedicated to expanding student involvement and creating a sense of belonging on campus.

Through their leadership, Gill and Zervas are committed to enhancing the role of LazSoc in the lives of business and economics students on the Waterloo campus. Their shared vision focuses on fostering community, providing growth opportunities, and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed both academically and professionally. Below, we delve into their backgrounds, motivations, and goals for LazSoc during their term as co-presidents.

Meet the Co-Presidents

Sebastian Zervas: Fostering Opportunities for Growth

Sebastian Zervas is a fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student concentrating in Finance and minoring in Economics. He is from LaSalle, Ontario, a small town near Windsor, and spent his summer working as a risk analyst in Toronto during his co-op term. Outside of academics and work, Zervas is passionate about traveling, listening to music, and watching Formula 1.

Reflecting on his time at Laurier, Zervas emphasizes the impact that extracurriculars have had on his university experience. "Over these past three years, I have had so many incredible experiences, most of which have come from being involved in extracurriculars outside the classroom,” he shares.

This involvement paved the way for his leadership journey with LazSoc, starting as a director during his second year. His tenure as Vice President last year solidified his desire to take on a greater leadership role. "Serving as Vice President allowed me to see up close just how significant an impact LazSoc can have on students, which further fueled my interest in getting more involved," he explains.

As co-president, he envisions leaving a legacy of greater student involvement and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders within the Lazaridis School.

Harpinder Gill: Building Community Through Leadership

Born and raised in Brampton, Ontario, Harpinder Gill is a third-year BBA student currently completing his co-op term. Like Zervas, Gill brings a diverse range of interests to the table, including fitness, sports, traveling, and art. He has been actively involved in extracurricular activities throughout his time at Laurier, which have shaped his experience on campus.

Gill's journey to LazSoc leadership started with his involvement in the Laurier Economics Club (LEC), serving as co-president last year. His leadership experience with LEC opened doors to the broader LazSoc community.

"I have always been a people person and have been big on trying to have a positive impact on others," he says. It was through his connections within LazSoc that he realized the potential for a larger platform to positively impact students, which motivated him to run for co-president with Zervas.

For Gill, the ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impact by helping students make the most of their university experience. "To me, leaving a lasting impact means supporting all students in making the most of their university experience and helping them create their own personal successes and memorable moments,” he states. His focus is on creating a supportive environment where students feel empowered to take risks, grow, and connect with one another.

Why LazSoc?

LazSoc stands out among the many student organizations at Laurier due to its broad reach and the variety of opportunities it offers. Both Gill and Zervas were initially drawn to the society because of its potential to make a significant impact on students' lives.

"There is no other club at Laurier that is able to reach so many students and provide such a diverse range of activities and opportunities," notes Zervas.

For Gill, LazSoc’s ability to bring people together and foster personal growth is what makes it so special. "I wanted to be a part of a community that helps others grow while having fun at the same time," he explains. The tight-knit culture of the LazSoc team, along with its focus on student engagement, made it the perfect fit for both leaders.

Vision for LazSoc: Initiatives and Goals for the Year

As co-presidents, Gill and Zervas have a clear vision for LazSoc's future, with a focus on increasing student involvement and enhancing the sense of community within the Lazaridis School. Their primary goal is to give students as many opportunities as possible to engage with LazSoc’s offerings.

Zervas explains, "The biggest way Harpinder and I hope to positively impact the student community is by giving students as many opportunities to get involved as possible." This includes not only making LazSoc’s events more engaging but also providing additional programming and stronger support for the society’s 23 clubs. By focusing on these clubs, the co-presidents aim to ensure that each student finds their niche within the larger Lazaridis community.

"Our team hopes to bring a greater sense of belonging and togetherness to the student community by providing students with experiences and opportunities where they can learn, connect with others, and express themselves," Gill shares. Their leadership is focused on creating a welcoming environment where all students feel supported and included.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Both Zervas and Gill are passionate about inspiring the next generation of leaders within the Lazaridis community. They encourage students to take the leap and get involved, even if they feel unqualified.

"Taking that first step to get involved can be daunting, but once you overcome that initial hurdle, the experience becomes incredibly rewarding," Zervas advises. He emphasizes that every student brings a unique perspective to the table, making diverse leadership essential to the success of LazSoc.

Gill echoes this sentiment, urging students to embrace the opportunities that come their way.

"There is nothing between you and the person you want to become," he says. "Put yourself out there and learn from every failure and lesson that comes your way. This is the time to take risks and seize opportunities."

Looking Ahead: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

As they embark on their term as co-presidents, Gill and Zervas are committed to making LazSoc a cornerstone of the Lazaridis student experience. By fostering an inclusive community, providing opportunities for involvement, and supporting personal growth, they hope to leave a lasting legacy that will benefit students for years to come.

Their leadership is a testament to the power of student involvement and the transformative impact it can have on the university experience. For those considering getting involved with LazSoc or any other student organization, Sebastian and Harpinder’s advice is simple: take the plunge and make the most of every opportunity.

Meet the 2024/25 Executive Team

In addition to co-presidents Sebastian Zervas and Harpinder Gill, the Lazaridis Students' Society is driven by a talented and passionate executive team, each playing a crucial role in shaping the student experience. These leaders are dedicated to fostering community, enhancing opportunities, and supporting students throughout their time at Laurier. Thank you to all these student leaders, who bring a diverse range of skills and perspectives to their roles, and to the leadership of each of the LazSoc clubs.

• Maahi Gandhi, VP, Marketing, 3rd year BBA
• Erin Howard, EVP & VP, Club Strategy, 3rd year BBA & BCS (UW) Double Degree
• Jack Jarrett, VP, Technology, 4th year BBA
• Ella Jazvac, VP, Finance, 2nd year BBA
• Nimah Mirza, VP, Corporate, 4th year BBA
• Simon Tan, VP, Philanthropy, 3rd year BBA
• Evika Trinidade, VP, Operations, 3rd year BBA
• Abby Yim, VP, Internal & EDI, 3rd year BBA