My name is Nicholas Tibollo. I am from Kleinburg, Ontario. I studied political science at Western and am now an HBA1 student. From a young age, I’ve had a passion for entrepreneurship, creativity, and philanthropic and volunteer work. I currently run two small businesses: Ethereal Actions, where I create, market, and sell hand-crafted, all-natural candles to raise money for GTA-based and London-based charities, and Intelligensia, a bespoke, hand-painted clothing brand with an emphasis on using sustainable garments. I am also the vice president of events for the London Bridges Club at Western.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

Sustainability means actively engaging in practices that ensure the long-term health of our environment, society and economy. It's about making informed decisions that respect our communities and minimize harm, emphasizing collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government. I see it as a commitment to a holistic approach that balances natural resource conservation, social justice, and economic viability, aiming for a future where our actions today do not jeopardize but rather enhance the well-being of future generations. It's a personal responsibility to support a world that thrives on circular economies and equitable systems for all.

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

In my professional career, sustainability is currently and will continue to be a foundational principle that guides my actions and business practices. At Ethereal Actions, I am committed to using all-natural ingredients like Soy/Coconut blend wax as opposed to paraffin wax, a fossil-fuel byproduct that, when burned, is harmful to inhale. Similarly, at Intelligensia, the use of clothing made of recycled garments demonstrates my effort to reduce waste and promote sustainability in the industry. Additionally, I raise money for food banks through my ventures. However, I do not see the food bank model as sustainable. In the future, I would like to bridge my entrepreneurial endeavours with social impact by working with politicians, experts, agricultural and food manufacturing industries, communities, and families to contribute to finding a solution to food insecurity in Canada and around the world to eliminate the need for food banks. I will learn what steps are currently being taken to reduce the cost of safe, healthy and nutritious food made through environmentally conscious practices, and how these methods can be improved upon and scaled up so that no one needs to worry about where their next meal will come from. 

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

I am the founder of Ethereal Actions where I independently manufacture, market, and sell hand-crafted, all-natural candles to raise money for GTA-based and London-based charities. I am also the vice president of events for London Bridges Club, a community service club at Western. To date, I have raised just under $5,000 for multiple charities, including the London Food Bank, the Yellow Brick House of Richmond Hill, Ontario, and the Down Syndrome Association of York Region. I engage in these activities to facilitate each charity’s efforts to address the critical issues it faces. The financial support I provide helps with the various sustainability efforts of these charities. For example, while funds can help the charity meet immediate needs, they also support educational programs that help improve literacy and employment opportunities for those they serve, which contributes to the economic sustainability of communities. The charities also engage in advocacy work raising awareness to drive systemic changes that support sustainability. For example, they advocate for policy changes that address inequality or support the rights of marginalized groups. Raising money for charities and my community service helps to create more equitable, resilient and sustainable communities.

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

• Renewable energy expansion
• Sustainable clothing garments
• Cultured meat, fish and dairy products and other sustainable food production and manufacturing processes