Hi there! My name is Sai and I’m passionate about creating a more sustainable world. I’m interested in the intersection of business and sustainability. Currently, I serve as the Director of Advocacy and Research for the Gender Equity Network at Western's student council, championing inclusivity and positive change. A fun fact about me: I secretly love gardening, and each year, I am eager to create my own vegetable garden. There's something truly special about cooking with vegetables you've nurtured yourself. Check out the photo of the vegetable garden box I built in my backyard during senior year of high school—I love composting and finding innovative gardening methods. 

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

Sustainability, to me, means enjoying the present while preserving it for future generations. It's more than just environmental concern—it's a lifestyle choice. I prioritize the environment as a key stakeholder in decision-making, alongside common stakeholders such as shareholders and employees. Sustainability isn't just about financial profit; it's about ensuring long-term viability. Actions that harm the environment for short-term gain aren't true profit. Profit encompasses more than financial gain; it includes preserving our planet for the future. We must think carefully about our actions and how we can sustain this earth for the future generations to enjoy.  

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

Sustainability will play a huge role in my professional career. I am looking to blend my passion for accounting and finance with sustainability. A growing need for many corporations is the ESG reporting. I plan to work in the “Big Four” and hopefully I would have a chance helping audit corporations on the environmental efforts.  If I chose a career in finance, I would love to research the topic of sustainability and profitability to look at weather they need to be mutually exclusive or if we can find the magic formula to ensure profitability while sustaining the environment. Ultimately, Ivey prepares me to become a b business leader and make big decisions. When I do have that position of power, I hope to make ethical choices that keep the environment in mind.  Moreover, my entrepreneurial side in me wants to develop everyday products that are sustainable. This sustainability certificate will be extremely useful for my career path as it would be a great way for my future employers and colleagues to know my keen interests and my passion towards sustainability. This certificate gives me an opportunity to dive deeper into topics such as technology and humanity or Design-Driven Innovation. 

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

As I mentioned earlier, I have a deep love for gardening, and addressing hunger issues is a personal mission of mine. To contribute to a more sustainable world, I've been advocating for the adoption of vertical container farming—a method that boasts a remarkable 70% reduction in carbon emissions and utilizes a mere 5% of the land space compared to traditional farming.

What began as a school project has evolved into a personal mission. I delved into an extensive feasibility study of the vertical farming industry, scrutinizing its profitability and potential in London, Ontario. My research didn't stop there; I've been actively immersing myself in the subject by listening to podcasts and attending vertical gardening events. The potential in vertical farming is endless as there is continuous growth in the number of vegetables that can be produced in old, recycled shipping containers. This continuous pursuit of knowledge fuels my determination to transform this concept into reality.

Vertical container farming represents not only an innovative approach to agriculture but also a tangible step towards sustainability. As I navigate through the research phase, I remain determined in my commitment to advocating for environmentally conscious practices and making a meaningful impact in shaping a greener future.

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

I am honestly interested in a wide range of topics within sustainability. I would love to learn more about ESG reporting. I’m also interested in learning about social investing and since this summer I will be working in the banking industry I want to learn about impact investing funds. Similarly, I would love to learn more about how to develop products with a sustainability focus and get the start-up off the ground. Another career path I am considering is environmental consulting, since this is a new area of consulting, I would love to learn more about how this is a becoming a possibility.