I immigrated from China to Canada as a child, spending most of my life in Victoria. My interests center around reading and music, and I am currently a proud member of the Mustang Marching Band. I have a younger brother who is 12 years my junior, and I have noticed more and more how different the environments we’ve grown up in are, and how quickly things are changing. This as influenced my interest in societal changes and injustices as I’ve grown older. Ultimately, I want to leave positive impacts on those around me, and be an advocate of change.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

I view sustainability as a holistic, more forward-looking approach to business that goes beyond traditional, profit-driven methods. It means considering the impacts of my decisions on not just myself, but on those around me. I have long had an interest in environmental preservation and stewardship. This has only grown in university, as I began considering and engaging with growing areas of sustainability, particularly the social sphere. Sustainability to me encompasses ways of living that more people are embracing daily, and it really means to stand for and demand change and moving away from the typical.

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

I believe that there is no real future without sustainability. As such, I expect it to play a central role in my professional career, regardless of what I find myself doing, whether 5, 10, or 20 years from now.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in all areas of society, including in the realm of business. Often, I recall the words “sustainable growth” being used in reference to profits and sales in class. But without really embracing sustainable policies and practices, a business is ultimately going to be unable to maintain “sustainable growth” simply because of how limited our resources become. And those resources aren’t limited to just natural resources.

Finally, from a more personal perspective, I value sustainability and social impact. I know myself well enough to already say that I would not be happy working a job that does not embrace the changes society is facing with regards to sustainability. Sustainability and social responsibility go hand in hand, and I would want any work I do to reflect that.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Throughout middle school and high school, I participated in environmental clubs that worked to bring change to the school through things like recycling programs and school gardens. I also volunteered for a time with a local organization removing invasive species and learning about how those species impacted local ecosystems.

More recently, I have shifted my focus away from an environmental focus to focus more on social issues. One of my most rewarding volunteer experiences to date was working with Future Majority, anon-profit group that strives to increase youth voter turnout in Canada. There were several elections at the federal and provincial level in recent years, and I had to opportunity to work with volunteers across the country during digital campaigns to connect with different politicians. Young people in Canada and around the world want to see changes to how policies and decisions are made. I feel strongly that people my age play a significant role in driving change and the sustainability movement. It is important to bridge the gap between generations and between “regular people” and decision makers in the business world and in politics. Understanding people’s different perspectives is key to changing course for a sustainable future.