I am a 20-year-old Canadian-born daughter of Indian immigrants. On my LinkedIn header, I describe myself as a Student, Writer, and Learner. As an Ivey student, every single class excites me as I consider myself ‘agnostic’ with my organizational interests, from non-profits to alternative asset management firms. I also seek out writing opportunities wherever I go, whether it be through an extracurricular, or choosing a business school that makes me write for four hours straight in an exam. I call myself a “learner” because I enjoy exposure to new environments and ideas through books, YouTube essays, and group projects. 

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

To me, sustainability means having a focus on making sure that something can efficiently last and generate intangible and/or tangible positive impacts for key stakeholders. I have come up with this definition through my annual trips to India where I am exposed to sustainable waste management methods, low-energy consumption, and investments in education. All three of these examples of sustainability have been a part of growing India’s economy and bettering the lifestyle for the key stakeholders, the low and middle-class citizens. Sustainability enables innovative ideas, as an asset cannot generate a return if it can’t sustainably exist.

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

I will be working at a fast-growing infrastructure private equity fund this summer. Sustainability plays a very significant factor in the investments they have already made and intend to commit capital towards in the future. I can see myself having to one day visit the foreign client sites of renewable energy businesses and understand how they can generate stable cash flows while positively developing the surrounding environment. The process of conducting environmental, economic, and political due diligence will be easier for me if I understand the sustainable practices and contexts of different institutions and fixtures.  

Entering the financial services industry at a time when sustainability is needed most, I will have to review the ESG reports of corporations just as much, if not more, than the MD&A and quarterly report briefings. This is another reason why I want to pursue the certificate. Being able to value the sustainable impact and initiatives a company takes part in may change the overall valuation and decision-making rationales for investing in a potential company.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

I am currently a director of conferences for the Ivey Social Impact Club. Planning the conference has allowed me to be exposed to numerous professionals and like-minded peers in interesting sectors such as international innovative finance and sustainable institutional investing. It also lets me be a part of educating my peers and exposing them to impactful career paths that are not as talked about and supported in the Ivey community.  

Following the focus on food insecurity during the HBA1 BCG case competition, I am pitching a proposal to Western Hospitality and Ancillary Services on how to tackle food insecurity on Western’s campus. This proposal entails a recommendation to the Meal Plan Top-up system which allows students to donate a % of their meal credits to food-insecure students at the end of the school year every year.

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

During the certificate, I would love the opportunity to write a case for Ivey that might have a sustainable focus. Having my name on an Ivey-published piece is a bucket list item for me. I also want to be further exposed to sustainable practices in growing countries like India. An example would be the Africa Service Learning trip and getting to learn about the education and farming practices in those regions. Further, I want to continue learning about the causes and effects of food insecurity at a provincial level. Healthy and affordable consumption is very interesting to me and if my food insecurity proposal gains traction, I would greatly benefit from any further mentorship and help from Ivey faculty who specialize in sustainability and system reformation. Lastly, I want to learn more about women’s education and access to financial literacy in developing countries, as this topic has been of focus in India and I am interested in how it helps an economy.