I am an HBA1 student at Western University's Ivey Business School, and I intend to graduate with honours in Business Administration in 2025. My interest in sustainability developed during the pandemic as a result of my experiences living in various parts of the world, which prompted me to begin to grasp the need of coexisting with our environment without creating additional harm. In the near future, I intend to pursue a career in sustainable finance, as well as manage my own non-profit company. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, baking, and discovering new countries and cultures.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My concept of sustainability is based on the continuation of life. To me, it demonstrates that people all around the world are currently making decisions that will have a positive and long-term impact on our planet and civilization as a whole. As we satisfy our needs, we ensure that future generations have the ability to meet their own needs. Participating in this means being the change we want to see in the world and working together to make it a reality. When it comes to sustainability, empathy is required not only for future generations, but also for the earth itself.

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

I am deeply committed to incorporating sustainability into every aspect of my life, and I prioritize making it a central focus in my professional endeavours. I aspire to pursue a profession that prioritizes the incorporation of sustainable practices into every aspect of business operations, particularly in the realm of financial investments. I strongly believe that ESG aligns perfectly with economic and financial decisions. Working in this field would enable me to consistently engage in discussions and initiatives related to sustainability in the business world. In the reality that this does not occur, I aim to foster discussions on sustainability in any work environment. Furthermore, I am eager to pursue a personal career project focused on sustainability as I continue to develop professionally. Currently, I have a strong passion for a non-profit organization that aims to promote sustainable education in underprivileged areas of the world. I am passionate about incorporating sustainability into both my professional and personal endeavours.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

In addition to incorporating sustainability into my personal life, I strive to incorporate it into my extracurricular activities as well. Currently, I am involved with a youth group in Vancouver that aims to inspire black teenagers in the community to connect with their environment. This is achieved through a range of initiatives, including nature walks, clothing exchanges, and the adoption of more sustainable habits during our meetings. Once a year, we make it a point to go on a bike ride through nature and soak in Vancouver's beautiful scenery. It's a way for us to instil a greater sense of appreciation for the environment. Furthermore, we have a garden available for students to freely harvest and utilize a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. We are actively developing additional educational initiatives to help students incorporate these practices into their daily lives.  

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

Throughout the certificate program, I am eager to gain a deeper understanding of the various designations that organizations can receive and the distinguishing factors that set truly sustainable organizations apart from others. I'm interested in gaining more knowledge about how business leaders can incorporate sustainable practices into their organizations, starting from the beginning of their careers. If possible, I would be interested in learning more about sustainability in developing countries and the ongoing discussions surrounding the advancement of sustainable practices. I'm personally interested in connecting with individuals who work in sustainable finance and gaining a deeper understanding of the industry. I would also be interested in gaining more knowledge about incorporating sustainability into human resources analysis and understanding its potential impact on the recruitment and selection process.