My name is Samantha and I am finishing my last year at Ivey. I love outdoor activities like running and hiking, and enjoy being outside in nature. I also love bouldering and hope to go on an outdoor climbing trip this upcoming school year. As co-president of the Ivey Case Competition Club, I enjoy working on solving problems that the business world faces. A large area of concern of mine is the sustainability of business across industries through both a climate lens and broader social context, one I hope to make a positive impact on.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

I believe sustainability is about the balanced consumption of resources, in which our ecosystem must be self-sustaining over time. In an environmental context, this means leaving the planet in the same or better condition for future generations. Sustainability extends beyond the environment and impacts other areas, including social and economic systems.

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

I hope sustainability will be at the forefront of my professional career. Through consulting, I hope to make an impact on clients that I work with, to help them evaluate their current environmental impact and set goals for the future. I find the intersection between climate and finance to be a very interesting space, and one that allows businesses to fulfill their purpose while protecting the planet. I want to help find economically viable ways for businesses to find more environmentally sustainable practices.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

In the past I have volunteered with school clubs to fundraise for charities and food banks, and planting tulip bulbs for our school. I volunteered with Key Club to fundraise for the WASH project, supporting UNICEF’s work to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools and children in Haiti. Through reading more on climate and sustainability, I have gained a deeper understanding of the leading problems within how businesses operate, and I hope to apply this knowledge in the future. My goal is to volunteer with a climate organization to make a small positive impact, and through my work engage in sustainability projects on a larger scale in the future.