I am currently an HBA1 student looking to pursue my CPA designation.  Prior to Ivey, I studied management and legal studies, which allowed me to look at the intersections between business practices and the law. These studies led to my interest in exploring how companies operating among a variety of industries can implement sustainable policies and reduce irreversible impacts on our environment one decision at a time. As social and environmental issues continually progress, I am passionate about learning and embracing personal and business driven innovation to foster a healthier and more sustainable future.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My personal definition of sustainability is creating an ecosystem of individuals and businesses that promotes replenishment and fosters a sense of innovation and growth towards healthier communities and environments. My vision for a sustainable future begins with companies ethically sourcing materials, reducing carbon emissions and supporting innovation regarding greener products and supply chains. I hope for a future that embraces resource replenishment and optimal use of land. In creating increased accessibility for products and more environmentally driven practices, I envision individuals choosing more eco-friendly lifestyles. This definition incapsulates all industries including agriculture, fashion, housing and technology. 

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

I feel that sustainability driven decisions will be at the center of my moral compass throughout my professional career. I truly believe that businesses have the power to shift the trajectory of climate change and unsustainable practices towards operations that take care of precious resources and embrace a healthier future. With that, I am deeply committed to ensuring I support companies that are opportunistic and innovative when it comes to environmental and ethical sustainability. Further, I will look to join meaningful ESG initiatives that hold the power to slow climate change and positively shift the direction of the company’s global impacts. More specifically, I intend to begin my career pursing my CPA designation through performing an audit and assurance role. This function holds great influence in being able to leverage my understanding and curiosity towards sustainability at a company’s operational and financial level. I will seek to refine my practice towards auditing environmental impacts and sustainability initiatives. In a rapidly changing environment, I will look to recommend and implement sustainable practices that uphold high standards, setting the future of business operations up for prosperous longevity. These changes will seek to regenerate the earth’s resources while also upholding the financial goals of corporations. 

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Growing up, inspired by my grandmother, I have always had a keen interest in gardening, growing a variety of plants and produce at home. In tending to my personal garden, I have developed an appreciation for the nature of fresh and local products. This allowed me to foster a sense of connection with our earth, driving my passion for preserving its resources and beauty. With this interest, I then spent a summer working for a gardening company that focused on tending to clients at home gardens and produce troughs. The experience of watching gardens flourish from seeds to beautiful plants and vegetables inspired a sense of ownership in the prosperity of our planet, driving me to commit to upholding sustainability as part of my purpose.    

Another personal initiative I have taken towards sustainable living is embracing a plant-based diet. My curiosity towards how different industries contribute to climate change directed my attention towards the agriculture sector, particularly how damaging livestock production is to land and the atmosphere. This understanding drove my commitment to fostering an environment that is sustainable for future generations and embraces practices that reduce harmful emissions, beginning with my own diet. This decision has only been the beginning of exploring how I can adjust my personal lifestyle to align with my eco-friendly values. 

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

I would love to learn more about sustainable opportunities in the agriculture industry, particularly different land preservation techniques and the idea of vertical farming. Beyond my interest in more sustainable food choices, I would love to explore opportunities in other industries including sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands. This is derived from my interest in adjusting my own sustainable living practices to support my values.  

Beyond personal interests, I would love to learn more about the changing regulations regarding company’s compliance with environmental initiatives. This could expand into learning about companies that have shifted their goals to ones that prioritize sustainability and better understand how this may have affected their bottom lines both short-term and long-term. This will help support my career in accounting and how I can refine my expertise in assessing a range of industry’s environmental and sustainable impacts.