My name is Liny (pronounced Li-nee), and I’m currently a 3rd year, HBA1 student who’s interested in sustainability! A couple of things I’m involved in: marketing, gaming, and feminist theory! Overall, I really appreciate being able to intertwine personal goals such as sustainability or female empowerment with work outputs, which is why I’m drawn to marketing and other creative roles where I can easily connect the two! 

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My definition of sustainability is working towards processes and systems that can co-exist indefinitely with the planet. That is, creating policies, campaigns, and initiatives that emphasize only taking as much as is necessary from the Earth and restoring harm done wherever possible. This includes being conscious of where products are sourced from, being responsible in reducing ecological impact, and using innovation to create new, less wasteful possibilities. As such, we are able to support the health of the planet while relying on it to power our everyday necessities.  

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

One of my goals is to create strategies that demonstrate the possibility of profitability and sustainability being interdependent rather than at-odds. This is especially relevant in marketing, where sustainability has become an important signaller to consumers about the integrity and reliability of a corporation. By incorporating sustainability into my marketing practices, I am able to showcase the positive impact it can have on a brand beyond the campaign expenses, by building customer loyalty and incentivizing responsible spending.  

Additionally, I hope to learn more about sustainability in order to ensure the messaging I put out is responsible and takes into account a perspective regarding environmental impact. Over-consumption and waste, unfortunately, is a large part of our society and is oftentimes encouraged by companies through aggressive marketing of every new launch. Therefore, as an aspiring future marketing professional, I want to be responsible with the projects I work on, considering the potential environmental impact and investigating solutions to be more aligned with sustainability goals. 

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in? 

In the past, I have participated in volunteer community events that involved cleaning up public parks and making announcements in schools to conserve energy. These small acts are what first inspired my sense of personal responsibility to the planet. 

In my current role as Brand Marketing Manager at a women’s boxing gear company, I am ever-conscious about the power my actions have to influence consumers’ decisions. Therefore, I do my best to ensure the messaging I use is consistent with my sustainability goals- providing women with the necessary equipment to participate in the sport while refraining from the easy, fast-fashion route of overconsumption. The company I chose to work with makes my job easier by using materials such as cowhide leather to create products that emphasize quality and longevity.  

I am a strong believer in continuous learning and hope to continue expanding my knowledge and experiences in relation to sustainability!