As an International Relations student, I have always been challenged to have difficult conversations and to consider different perspectives. After working with Impakter – a digital news outlet centered around sustainability and impact investing – I saw how those conversations could have real, positive impact on the world. Aside from international affairs, I am also passionate about marketing and creative arts. I have worked with several NGOs around the world to help create innovative campaigns and strategies that further SDG’s. I wish to be at the forefront of developing social policies and legislation that are equitable and sustainable.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

I believe sustainability is defined as the ability to meet society’s current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Environment, although the area that requires the most urgency, is not the only consideration under sustainability. Embedded in most definitions of sustainability, social equity and economic development are also of concern. Thus, I believe the definition of sustainability must take into account, and address, all three dimensions together to find long-term prosperity.

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

I hope to take an active role in advocating for sustainability in three potential professional fields: the public sector, consulting, and marketing.

I aspire to work in public affairs or public policy after pursuing graduate studies in related fields, where I hope to work on and fight for ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable legislation. Alternatively, I hope to work in diplomacy and international affairs, where I hope to help improve the enforcement and execution of global accountability metrics.  

In the private sector, I hope to explore consulting and marketing as potential career paths. I strive to gain experience in sustainability consulting where I will help corporations reshape their strategies such as cost-effective and sustainable product development in addition to incorporating sustainability metrics into their operations. Additionally, I hope to help social ventures and nonprofits by making their business models more efficient and connecting them to various resources such as impact-investors. On the marketing side, I hope to help develop strategies that create a liaison between consumers and corporate efforts at implementing sustainable solutions. I hope to initiate campaigns that will ultimately close the knowledge gap for consumers in order to be eco-friendly in their daily lives.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

I have been part of AIESEC for the past three years, where I worked as the head of Marketing and Communications. My role revolved around advocating for cross-cultural understandings through fostering student volunteer opportunities in developing countries. I had the chance to participate in one of the opportunities in Niepolomice, Poland, where I taught English to students from age 6-16.

During the past summer, I worked as a junior editor for Impakter - a news platform aimed to further SDG’s through opening dialogues between millennials and key decision makers. I helped compel heads of nonprofits, think tanks as well as doctoral and post-doctoral candidates in various fields (i.e. politics, tech, sustainability) to become contributors of Impakter news. I also worked on Sustainable City Living, a special editorial series.

Currently, I am part of the Ivey Social Impact Club (SIC) under the Non-Profit portfolio. I helped organize the second Social Impact Conference through contacting keynote speakers and creating artistic minutes from the conference’s key takeaways. As part of SIC’s Impact Consulting Project, I am working alongside three other teammates to help The Walrus - a registered charity and an independent publisher - extend their Fact-Checking service to increase transparency and trust in news media.