HBA Sustainability Certificate
Empowering the next generation of sustainable leaders
HBA Sustainability Certificate
Empowering the next generation of sustainable leaders
Bio
My name is Jamie Lipson, I am a current HBA1 student at Ivey. I studied architectural design at the University of Toronto in my first year of post-secondary education before transferring to UWO. I then studied political science and then business upon enrolling at Ivey this academic year. I have strong interests in social media/marketing, particularly in the leveraging of social networks to drive innovation in the corporate sector. I also have strong interests in social and sustainable business practices, and I attempt to integrate egalitarian and environmentally friendly principles in my academic studies and daily life whenever possible.
Additional Information
Personal Definition of Sustainability
I foresee the terms "social" and "sustainable" (as they relate to business) converging soon in the future. Corporate social responsibility is intrinsically tied to the overall health of the environment, and any meaningful definition of sustainability subsequently demands a more universal worldview.
Presently, I define sustainability as companies who attempt to minimize their impact on the environment. These initiatives are iterative, tending to correspond to waves of political and social pressure.
In the near future, sustainability will be the eventual rejection of the notion of indefinite economic growth on a planet with a finite life span and capacity. I am confident that this definition of sustainability will become increasingly relevant as threats of environmental disaster makes reevaluating paradigms of economic theory and conventional business practices a necessity.
Sustainability-in-Action
One of my most significant social and sustainable business projects was my work with Habitat for Humanity (UWO Chapter) in Mississippi last year. Over the course of two weeks, myself and a team of 20+ UWO students aided in the construction of two homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. These houses were built with sustainable materials, meeting new hurricane regulations while being less environmentally degrading than alternative housing available (FEMA trailers etc.). This is one example where conceptions of "social" and "sustainable" are starting to become one in the same.
Additionally, this year I have been active in attending all events hosted by Ivey's Centre for Building Sustainable Value. I have been attempting to educate myself about sustainability as much as possible, and how I can best integrate these principles in my future professional career.
Next year I plan on being active in the newly formed HBAA Ivey Sustainability Club, as well as continue to lower my personal carbon footprint. This is a personal initiative that I have continued since the end of the Ivey Sustainability Challenge. Given the norm of graduating students into professional industries, I think Ivey has a responsibility to discuss reforming business practices to make them more sustainable. I plan on being as involved in this discussion as I can throughout my remaining time here at Ivey.
