Hi! My name is Ana and I am a computer science and HBA student here at Western and Ivey. Here at Ivey, I try and think about and incorporate sustainability and sustainability practices in my projects and daily life. Last year I created an app, “Option A,” to encourage sustainable practices, which gained international attention at the United Nations' Global Climate Change Conference. Overall, I am excited to learn more about sustainability, and dive into the world of business while noticing of the impact I’m making on the planet I’m so lucky to call home.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My personal definition of sustainability, or a sustainable process, is a process that is cyclical rather than linear, minimizing waste and feeding into the next cycle. Inspired heavily by the Indigenous perspectives I have heard throughout my life, a decision must be cyclical, thinking seven generations in advance when making it.

Fallen leaves decompose to enrich the soil, nurturing new plant growth. Businesses should mimic nature's cyclicality, conducting their operations sustainably. Nature’s cyclical nature minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency. Similarly, in manufacturing, it means designing products with materials that can be reused or repurposed.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

Our current economy often operates linearly, characterized by a "take-make-dispose" approach. This linear model typically involves extracting resources, manufacturing products, and discarding them as waste. This process leads to significant resource depletion, environmental degradation, and waste accumulation; it is not the way humanity will be able to thrive. Our current systems often shift problems to future generations, reflecting short-sighted decision-making and a need for more consideration of long-term consequences.

As I embark on my professional journey in technology, sustainability will play a central role in shaping my career trajectory. I aspire to be outspoken about the current flaws in our linear economy and integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of my work, from product development to operational strategies. Specifically, I can advocate for eco-friendly design principles, minimize energy consumption in data centers, and promote responsible resource management throughout the product lifecycle. Moreover, I aim to foster a culture of sustainability within my company, encouraging collaboration on green initiatives and continuously seeking innovative solutions to reduce our environmental footprint, whether in my own entrepreneurial venture or a company I join. Ultimately, I envision my career in technology as a vehicle for positive change, where innovation and sustainability intersect to create a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Since elementary school, I was encouraged to get involved in sustainability, which I did on a small scale by participating in community gardens. However, when university hit, I started thinking about how to do more. With the support of Technovation, a competition encouraging women to create business solutions to UN SDGs, I made my sustainable marketplace “Option A.” “Option A” was my vision for a more sustainable shopping experience, a platform highlighting sustainable fashion retailers. Rather than floating to Shein, Zara, or other unsustainable, fast-turnover brands, “Option A” was an all-encompassing way for my generation to shop and support their fashion hobby. Following my creation of “Option A,” it gained international attention at the United Nations’ Global Climate Change Conference. Witnessing the UN’s role in facilitating cross-border collaboration by spotlighting my creation sparked my desire to contribute to sustainability on a larger scale. The sustainability certificate will allow me to learn from individuals trained differently in sustainability and business. In the coming year, I want to be introduced to fresh and diverse perspectives and incorporate them in future projects, particularly the Ivey field project. I am excited to achieve academic, professional, and personal growth through the sustainability certificate.

Please list any sustainability-related interests you want to explore during the certificate. 

Since I learned to code in middle school, I've embraced the tech and business communities, carving out my niche in both realms. As such, one of my main interests would be to explore how technology can not only impact but be a part of the sustainability solution. I want to see how we can leverage technology to make things maybe more efficient or less harmful to the environment. I aspire to explore how AI, alongside other technological advancements, can be harnessed to create innovative and eco-friendly solutions for a more sustainable future. By harnessing AI algorithms, we can unlock innovative solutions to optimize energy consumption, integrate renewable resources seamlessly into existing infrastructure, and monitor environmental health with unprecedented precision. One way AI might be leveraged is in agriculture: through AI-driven precision agriculture, we can enhance crop yields while minimizing environmental impact, paving the way for sustainable food production. Additionally, AI's capacity for analyzing climate data enables more accurate climate modelling and prediction, empowering communities to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As we continue to leverage AI technologies, we unlock new possibilities for sustainability, ushering in a future where technological innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

Exploring governance and policy is another interest of mine, particularly in understanding how different carbon tax laws could impact business operations. I was initially inspired by artificial intelligence governance, focusing on the necessary policies and regulations governments must enact to ensure ethical AI implementation. Leading into sustainability, I'm curious about the effects of such laws on industries like oil, where fracking regulations are a point of contention. While fossil fuels remain crucial for energy production, policies need to evolve to address environmental concerns. I'm interested in examining how policy frameworks can collaborate with companies in transitioning towards sustainable practices while acknowledging the complexities of the energy landscape.

Finally, given my background in coding and data analysis, I'm particularly passionate about leveraging technology to drive sustainability initiatives. The opportunity to apply my skills to develop innovative solutions that address environmental challenges, like I did with “Option A,” would align perfectly with my interests. Coding within a sustainability-focused project ranks among my highest priorities when pursuing a research opportunity, as I want to harness both my critical thinking in problem-solving and coding expertise for meaningful impact.