My approach to life is simple: stay positive, appreciate the people who always supported you, and run towards opportunities despite the possibility of failure. I came to Western pursuing the fine arts and found myself leaning towards sociology. There, I became interested in society’s injustices, global inequalities and stagnant change. As such, I hope to help build more sustainable local and global societies, and lead businesses who consider the impact of their actions. Outside of work, I still pursue my love for art, search for the best foods around the world, and listen to stories on true crime.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

Sustainability is another term for change; changing to serve the needs of today’s society and leaving conditions better for the future generations to come. In the traditional sense, it’s when we are using the best practices to care for the earth for its longevity in the future. Additionally, a sustainable society is one in which individuals have equal access to resources, whether financial or educational, that allows them to better their own lives. It is also one in which every member of society is retaining their basic human rights and needs in order to be a productive member of society.

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

In my professional career, I believe being dedicated to sustainability will help drive my career choices; the companies in which I chose to work, the positions I take, and the business strategy I chose to lead. Although I am ensure on what industry or what function I wish to pursue after Ivey, I hope to work for companies or brands who value their community and has a mission to make a positive impact. However, it is important that they not only value the idea of sustainability, but the idea is truly embedded in their business model.

Someday I hope to help assess and fund social ventures that are developing new technologies to help third world countries or bringing equal opportunities to kids in low-income neighborhoods. I hope to have a hand in making an impact to better the lives of my local and global community, and along the way, educate and inspire my peers in business to the importance of acting sustainably, not solely for the bottom line but for society as a whole. I recognize the power that is held over society in the business world and intend to use to in order to better the lives of others.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in? 

My most rewarding experience was when I spent my summer as a camp coordinator at Canada Learning Code (CLC). CLC is a technology education non-profit with the mission to teach digital literacy and inspire minorities of the technology industry to consider careers in coding. Honestly, I did not think much about their mission at first, I just knew I needed a job and I had the opportunity to work for a non-profit. It was not until I worked my first week of camp, that I saw the importance of their mission.

It was inspiring to see young girls coding virtual reality worlds to educate on endangered animals, Alzheimer’s or pollution. They gained confidence and many of them expressed an interest in studying computer science and considered it as a career. At first, I did not think it would be a big impact because I have been privileged. However, with a team of passionate individuals, we provided tools of empowerment to prosper in a digital world. The idea of equal opportunity was something I read in textbooks, but the importance was highlighted when I helped bring a student access to a laptop for the first time and see them innovate.