As a self-proclaimed adventurer, I love new experiences in every aspect of my life. I am currently working towards completing a dual degree between Urban Development and business, ultimately leading me to a career in Commercial Real Estate. Outside of Ivey I am an active researcher in the Scholar’s Electives program at Western. I also teach financial literacy to high school and university students through Pennydrops, which is key for fostering sustainable economic growth within our communities. In my free-time, I love to watch and play a variety of sports, go for hikes in nature, and explore new cuisines.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

The traditional definition of sustainability is to ensure we meet our own needs without compromising the needs of future generations. My personal definition expands on this by considering more facets of life, including environmental, social, and financial. Moreover, the Haudenosaunee concept of seven generations of sustainability that touches on resource sustainability and highlights the importance of preserving relationships is something that speaks to me. Keeping these ideas in mind, I act by considering how I am minimizing my carbon footprint, while doing things to grow my financial base which can fund sustainable efforts, and attempt to create long-lasting relationships.

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

As an aspiring business leader ,urban development student and prospective commercial real estate development (CRE) professional, sustainability is integral to my future endeavours. Unlike in other fields where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives might be add-ons to a business’ operations, sustainability is built into the fabric of my career path. As one of the key place-makers of the world, the responsibility is on developers to have a strong foundation in sustainable practices. More specifically, I envision a world in where every fixture in a condo building is sourced sustainably, where there are bountiful urban agriculture opportunities, and where there are transit-oriented communities to reduce car-dependency. The decisions that developers and cities make are the ones that can foster or impede the general population’s sustainability focus. As a CRE professional, I want to take ownership for sustainability efforts by helping build net-zero communities, prioritizing U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, and being on the cutting edge of sustainable technologies that will help the world and future generations thrive. Pursuing the certificate means I can show my passion for forward-thinking sustainable initiatives in my professional career while adding credibility to my affinity for sustainability.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

As part of the Scholar’s Electives program on main campus, I have been conducting research about the ways in which cities market themselves through promotional videos. As part of the ongoing research, I am taking a deep dive into key promotional elements, one of which is sustainability. In the coming months, I will be conducting interviews with individuals working for cities to better understand the importance of sustainability in their marketing decisions and how it plays a role in attracting residents and businesses alike. Throughout my Urban Development degree, I have conducted many assignments on the importance of renewable sources of energy towards cutting down carbon emissions and researching the benefits of urban agriculture on urban resiliency. Aside from my academically focused sustainability projects, I make an active effort in my everyday life to live by my definition of sustainability by sourcing groceries or new clothing from environmentally conscious sources as much as possible. These projects and my personal interest in sustainability helped grow my desire to complete the sustainability certificate. I hope that I can further develop the skills necessary to engage in new sustainable projects and bring a sustainability mindset to my personal life and professional career.