My name is Mia, and I am from St. Catharines, Ontario. Prior to that, I grew up overseas in Shanghai. I still love to travel and consistently find myself captivated by other cities' approaches to sustainability. My love for nature was developed attending summer camp as a camper and then as a counsellor. I also enjoy camping trips, pictured in my photo is me on a canoe trip in Kawartha Lakes! Before Ivey, I was in the Governance, Leadership, and Ethics program at Huron and took environmental science, stewardship, and an eco-religion course. I learned a lot about the importance of collaboration between governments and industries in the transition to sustainability. I am passionate about expanding my knowledge and applying it to the business world through the sustainable certificate.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

To me, sustainability is a value that we should strive to integrate into all that we do. Sustainability should not be a practice that exists as an isolated department, it requires fostering a culture of collaboration to embed sustainable principles at the core of our actions. A sustainable mindset embraces curiosity and innovation to explore alternative, more eco-friendly systems, employs resourcefulness to minimize waste, and leverages a deep understanding of the symbiotic relationship between human activities and natural systems.  By fostering this mindset, we pave the way for a future where sustainability is not an afterthought but a foundational principle guiding our progress to ensure the well-being of our planet and future generations. 

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

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly critical component of long-term success across all industries. As I envision my future in strategy consulting, I see sustainability at the core of my professional endeavours. My goal is to guide firms in integrating sustainability into their strategies, demonstrating how it can be a significant value driver rather than a compliance requirement.

I am committed to staying informed on the latest technological and policy developments in sustainability. This continuous learning journey is vital for me to provide the most relevant and impactful advice to organizations.  During the Social Impact Club conference, Nadine de Gannes, emphasized the importance of inclusive language in promoting sustainable practices. This resonated with me deeply. In my career, I plan to use my expertise in governance, leadership, and ethics to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders. By doing so, I hope to bridge gaps between different value systems and demonstrate the comprehensive benefits—both monetary and social—of incorporating sustainability into business strategies. 

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

In grade 10, I went on an academic exchange in Australia. I was captivated by their approach to sustainability in their daily lives, and it fueled me with optimism and eagerness to translate my observations to my school community. From this point, I actively engaged in my school's green club and led initiatives, including increasing the number of plant-based options in the dining hall, waste management education projects, tree planting, and the beginning stages of an energy audit.  

This past summer, I worked as a sustainability strategy intern at an organization looking to redesign its sustainability strategy. The strategy was anchored around the concept of regeneration – focusing goals that restored the environment and support human well-being. This included analyzing the organizations outdoor spaces to identify areas to plant native species, assessing financial and procurement policies, assessing sustainability education curriculum. In my role, I contributed to an environmental sustainability professional learning and strategy feedback session for all employees. I analyzed feedback data, conducted research, and initiated meetings with energy and waste management audit companies. I presented key findings, recommended a prioritization framework to the senior executive team, and initiated the implementation of 3 three waste management (compost, recycling, and garbage) across the campus. 

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

• Circular economy, waste management and recycling in manufacturing operations, clothing retail.
• Strategies and processes for integrating sustainability into organizations and workplaces.
• Impact investing, understanding, and communicating the value of it for firms and individuals.
• Opportunities to learn about specific technological developments.
• Measuring the impact and progress of sustainable initiatives.
• Communications, how to make sustainability more inclusive, inspiring, less 'judgemental'