The Innovation North Conference, hosted at the Art Gallery of Ontario, brought together students, academics, and industry leaders to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing society today: Artificial Intelligence, the Nature of Work, Climate Change, and Socio-political Whiplashes. Through insightful panels, keynote speakers, and dynamic round-table discussions, the event explored how businesses, individuals, and communities can adapt to these disruptions and seize opportunities to foster a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future.
To begin the day, Tima Bansal and Julian Birkinshaw emphasized embracing complexity. We live in an era where disruptions affect everyone due to the interconnected nature of our society. This interconnectedness makes building a better world through innovation both complex and challenging. Both emphasized that tackling this complexity through systems thinking is not just beneficial but essential for creating a sustainable and prosperous future.
Our keynote speakers emphasized the unique role businesses play in driving societal progress. Chris Marquis and Rob Wesseling, highlighted that companies must move beyond the model of privatizing profits while socializing costs. Instead, by considering their entire value chains and focusing on long-term value creation, businesses can address societal challenges at a scale that governments and non-profits cannot achieve alone. This approach is about planting seeds today for a more sustainable and equitable tomorrow.
Finally, Peter Senge talked about how important it is to realize we're all connected, so we can build healthier systems for everyone. He shared this story:
At a community meeting, the president of the School Superintendents of America asked a group of kids, "How do you think about the future?" An 11-year-old girl replied, "We think you drank your juice, and then you drank ours too." Peter then went on to describe a 12-year-old student who started a wind turbine project at her middle school with her classmates. Working with their teacher, they got help from parents and presented their idea to the school principal and the town mayor. Even though they faced challenges, they didn't give up, and a wind turbine was eventually installed at their school (crazy right?) The student ended with: "We kids often hear that 'you children are the future.' We don't agree with that. We don't have that much time. We need to make changes now, We are ready, are you?”
Overall, the morning keynotes set the stage for the rest of the day, urging attendees to embrace a mindset shift toward making the world better rather than simply reducing harm. Through discussions on externalities, supply chains, and impact investing, speakers highlighted the role of businesses in solving complex societal challenges. The call to action was clear: rethink systems, find hope in community, and take bold steps toward sustainable change.
At the end of the event, students from Ivey were invited to take the stage and share their learnings from the conference. From Gen Z’s role in shaping the future of AI to the pressing need for systems-level thinking to address climate change, these reflections emphasized the urgency of acting now to build resilience and drive impact. Here, we highlight the key takeaways from each of the four topics discussed during the conference by student speakers:
Artificial Intelligence
Avril Sun, HBA 2025, shared her learnings on Artificial Intelligence from a Gen Z perspective, describing it not merely as an innovation but as the 'Industrial Revolution' in our generation that brings radical abundance and opportunities for exploration. She underscored Gen Z's responsibility to act as connectors, bridging the AI literacy gap across generations during this transformative era.
Her insights built on a conversation led by Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University, and Salim Teja, Partner at Radical Ventures, who urged businesses to reimagine workplace roles by assessing where human judgment is indispensable and where AI can drive efficiency. They stressed the importance of preparing for this shift, addressing generational literacy gaps, and ensuring that organizations adapt responsibly.
The Nature of Work
Spencer Proulx, HBA 2025, reflected on the challenges today’s leaders face in managing diverse teams post-pandemic. He emphasized the importance of leading with curiosity—understanding what environments help employees thrive and being unafraid to engage in tough conversations to break down barriers.
Building on Spencer’s insights, Rashid Wasti, EVP and Chief Talent Officer at George Weston, and Rob Austin, Professor and Evolution of Work Chair at Ivey, explored the dual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work. They highlighted how the shift to remote work brought efficiencies and innovations, but also disrupted workplace culture and development opportunities for students and early-career professionals. Their message was clear: flexibility, inclusivity, and adaptability must guide leaders as they navigate this evolving landscape.
Climate Change
Tobi Bode, MBA 2025, presented a thought-provoking analysis of climate change, reflecting on the urgency of tackling immediate challenges without creating long-term problems. She cited insights from Oana Branzei, Professor and Paul MacPherson Chair in Strategic Leadership at Ivey, and Melissa Lecznar, Senior Director, Climate Impact at JLL Canada, who advocated for systems thinking and leadership accountability in building sustainable progress.
Tobi also brought attention to the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations, drawing from her own experiences in regions affected by flooding and agricultural instability. She called on multinational corporations to prioritize resilience and long-term sustainability in vulnerable communities, emphasizing that addressing climate change requires more than pledges—it demands action.
Socio-political Whiplashes
Sannvi Sharma, HBA 2025, discussed the intricate challenges businesses face amid socio-political disruptions, from rising inequality to political polarization. She highlighted the urgent need for collaboration across opposing ideologies and systems to create resilience in organizations and society.
Echoing lessons from negotiation studies, Sannvi emphasized that finding common ground is critical to driving meaningful change. She called for leaders to move beyond superficial corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and engage in systemic, long-term thinking to address externalities and foster impactful transformation.
