I am passionate about solving the world’s greatest problems through innovation and entrepreneurship. I aim to aid countries in establishing sustainable systems within the private sector to advance equity efforts and support the development of sustainable living internationally. With a passion for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), I hope to further my theoretical knowledge and gain expertise in developing solutions that combat global challenges. With previous experiences in ESG research and implementation, as well as a personal pursuit of EDI research, I hope to continuously expand my breadth of knowledge in sustainability.  

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

Sustainability to me is taking a holistic approach to advancing humanity today without compromising the future. Wherein, there is a shared responsibility for individuals, governments, and organizations to partake in the conscious use of resources, support equitable societies and systems, and maintain a balance between economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity. Moreover, I believe sustainability assumes the recognition of the interdependence between humanity, the environment, and organizations through which various stakeholders are called to action and held accountable for impacts that go beyond internal actors. Overall sustainability is transforming the role of societal stakeholders in facilitating positive change.  

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

I see sustainability at the forefront of my professional career, as I believe it is paramount as a business professional, to take action in order to ensure that the needs of today do not negatively impact the future. As such, in the short term, I aspire to pursue a career in ESG and social impact advisory, wherein I would employ my knowledge and understanding of sustainability in solving complex challenges faced by corporations. Moreover, I aim to partake in sustainability practices internally within my organization, as well as impact external stakeholders through advisory services. In the long term, my goal is to pursue an entrepreneurial venture focused on thei sustainable development of education and infrastructure systems in South Asia. As an immigrant from Pakistan, I have experienced the social, environmental, and governance tragedies that are cultivating inequities at all levels. Therefore, I aim to leverage my business knowledge and sustainability acumen to advance societies within South Asia from a holistic perspective. As such, sustainability is the foundation and front-runner of my career aspirations and I believe the sustainability certificate will enable me to gain the relevant knowledge and experiences to achieve my professional goals.    

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in? 

Within my university career, I have mainly engaged in sustainability projects from a business and private sector perspective. I am currently working as a Research Assistant at Huron University College to develop a case study discussing a replicable framework to increase affordable housing stock in metropolitan cities. The case study is focused on a multi-stakeholder project that involved the public, private, and non-profit sectors to support minority groups located in downtown Toronto. In January of last year, I took part in the International Youth Leadership Finance Summit organized by the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance. During the summit, I developed an ESG proposal for an international finance group. The proposal focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Reduced Inequalities, wherein, the solution focused on tangible actions the financial group could take to support Indigenous communities in Australia. I have also participated in the SHAD program where my team and I developed a business venture to tackle the growing issue of food waste within Canada. Lastly, in partnership with Environment Hamilton and Youth Taking Root, I organized an art showcase, in which local artists donated their paintings to raise awareness about environmental challenges during Hamilton’s annual Supercrawl event.