Having grown up in Canada I have been in love with the natural world, especially the ocean my entire life. Before Ivey I studied international relations, and I always placed a particular focus on environmental policies and the ways governing bodies addressed the issue of climate change. While studying IR I realized that in many cases businesses can have the largest impact on driving positive social impact. Here at Ivey, I am a sapling for the Social Impact Club and continue to advocate for intersectional climate justice. This summer I am working as an ESG intern at TD Bank.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

The phrase “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors but borrow the earth from our children” has always been how I have framed my view of sustainability. I think living sustainably means to only use the resources we need to survive and to treat the natural world with the utmost respect and care. To do our best to live in harmony with the environment, be stewards of the land, and think of the environment as one the most important stakeholders in all decisions.

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

I know that whatever career path I follow that sustainability will be at the epicentre, for it is the reason I chose to go to business school. I plan to go into a field such as impact investing or sustainability consulting. I want to be able to help companies create positive value for people and the earth. My goal is to prove that making sustainable choices is not only the morally right thing to do, but more profitable in the long term. I am hoping that whatever my future career path turns out to be it will enable me to tackle intersectional climate issues such as food insecurity, natural disasters, and the uneven burden placed on developing countries. Sustainability is not going to just play a role in my future career, but essentially be my future career.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

I have previously led a “Meatless Mondays” initiative as a first-year representative for EnviroWestern, to promote students on campus to choose plant-based alternatives to meat at least once a week to lower their individual carbon emissions. Furthermore, I created an event called Petitions and Pyjamas when I was an event coordinator for Western Water-aid. The event educated students on issues faced by Indigenous communities. During the event I had students write letters and sign petitions to give Indigenous communities access to clean drinking water and stop major pipelines from being built on Indigenous land. As an intern at TD Bank, I also gave an executive presentation on how open banking will create opportunities for improved sustainability metrics for both the bank and individual consumers.

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

Sustainable finance, impact investing, fighting green washing, cleaning the oceans, and the intersectional impacts of climate change.