Today marks a significant milestone for the HBA Sustainability Certificate program. After 17 years of dedicated leadership, Professor Oana Branzei will conclude her role as program director on a high note with the Journey to Purpose graduation ceremony.
Over the last two decades, Oana has made it possible for approximately 3,000 Ivey students to become empowered to build and lead more sustainable organizations – a mission that is increasingly important as businesses face more complex challenges than ever before. Oana has contributed integral knowledge, guidance and skills to new generations of leaders who will be ready to take on these challenges in new and innovative ways for positive impact.
Throughout the 2024-2025 year, Oana has challenged her final cohort with a thought-provoking question: Can capitalism be regenerative? This culminating event will bring that question to life, inspiring students to explore purpose-driven leadership. Joining the celebration is award-winning writer and speaker on regeneration, Sardie Golestaneh, co-founder of Beavos, along with a panel showcasing regenerative innovations from coast to coast. The panel will feature Fannie Laroche and Gregory Hersant, co-founders of Flaura, who are driving transformative change in sustainable business.
In the article “Five Reasons to Consider Ivey’s HBA Sustainability Certificate Program,” program alum Sibtain Manesiya reflected on its impact:
"If you truly embrace the certificate program, it will embrace you back. You will begin to learn and see the world through a special lens, and, most importantly, work toward cultivating the future you want to see." ~ Sibtain Manesiya
Much of this sentiment of “embracing you back” is thanks to the careful planning and passion injected by Professor Branzei — whether through her Social Enterprise course, thought-provoking live case discussions, or immersive field experiences, such as exploring local food ecosystems with Growing Chefs Ontario (2024), learning about nature-driven food waste solutions at Terra Optima (2023), and gaining insights into sustainable business practices at Cowbell Brewery (2022).
On behalf of Ivey’s sustainability faculty, staff, and students, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Oana. You have gone above and beyond to create a positive learning experience for students who are interested in sustainability. You have exceeded expectations to provide engaging experiential learning, dynamic events, and valuable mentorship and networking opportunities for all participants in the certificate program.
These sentiments are reflected by Oana’s colleagues:
"What Oana has accomplished with the certificate is exceptional. She is a community-builder and a doer who is passionate about what she does and aims for meaningful change. On top of it, she does it for the collective good, not for her own gains. She is an inspirational leader that we are lucky to have at Ivey." ~ Diane-Laure Arjalies
"Critical awareness, achieved and sustained through a complex combination of educational experiences, shapes who we are, how we think, and how we shape the world around us. Oana’s sustainability certificate has exposed countless students over the years to such educational experiences, boosting their ability to do well for themselves and for those around them!" ~ Jury Gualandris
"Oana is a global trailblazer in sustainability education, and we are exceedingly fortunate to have her at Ivey! For almost two decades she has founded and led the Ivey Sustainability Certificate program as well as the top global program for mentoring graduate students, the ARCS (Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability) PhD program. These two programs have been foundational in making Ivey a globally recognized world leader in corporate sustainability, and have transformed untold numbers of students’ careers, and lives. A huge thank you, Oana!" ~ Wren Montgomery
"Oana’s dedication, drive, and commitment to create impact are truly inspiring. She brings people together, not just to push ideas forward, but to build something that benefits the entire community. Her work is a testament to what can be achieved through passion and collaboration." ~ Patricia Hein
"Oana is an inspiration. Purpose-driven, her leadership, courage, generosity, and sense of community have built countless legacies. She envisions a better future and fights courageously to break new ground. What an honor it is to work with you." ~ Lara Liboni
These comments are a testament to the positive impact Oana has left on Ivey and its students and will continue to leave as she stays thoroughly engaged with the Ivey Sustainability community. New adventures for Oana include leading the Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Accelerator ("Regenerator") Initiative and the MSc Graduate Diploma in Business & Sustainability as well as continued leadership for the Ivey/ARCS PhD Sustainability Academy.
The HBA Sustainability Certificate will continue under the leadership of Oana’s colleague Associate Professor Lara Liboni.