Hey! My name is Prerna, and I am currently an HBA Student at Ivey pursuing a dual degree with Health Science. I have always been extremely passionate about business and healthcare independently, making the dual degree the perfect opportunity to better understand the intersection. With people at the core of all health care decisions, an understanding of ESG principles is crucial. Additionally, through active engagement with my peers, I hope to continuously challenge myself to learn and gain new perspectives on various issues on a global scale. Outside of school, I am an avid swimmer and travel enthusiast.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

Personally, I believe that Sustainability can be defined as the process of actively making decisions that emphasize and consider the possible future impact on people, the environment, and the economy. How an individual perceives this multi-faceted concept is going to be directly impacted by their unique personal and professional experiences. However, the concept of Sustainability is rooted in the understanding that all resources are finite, and therefore need to be managed to maximize current day development without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. By implementing sustainable practices, we can establish healthy and resilient communities.

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

As someone who aims to work in an advisory capacity with a multitude of organizations, I believe the understanding of sustainability will play a pivotal role in shaping my professional career and perspectives. ESG principles are even more essential when supporting dynamic, rapidly evolving sectors such as healthcare. In today’s market, companies cannot function without making conscious assessments regarding the long-term impact of their business decisions. It has also become crucial for corporations to actively create goals for themselves and the industries that they work within. These new focus-areas are ones that I hope I can support by continuously building my knowledge base around sustainable initiatives across multiple industries. I truly believe that establishing a sustainable community is not only the sole responsibility of the government, but also the various corporations and their respective consumers. More specifically, in the healthcare industry, I want to be able to work with various organizations to support the delivery of high-quality patient-centered care that focuses on preventative measures and holistic community wellbeing, while also addressing various accessibility concerns within the space. Overall, I believe the principles of Sustainability will be central to the way I problem solve, as it prepares one to thrive long-term.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Throughout my post-secondary journey, I have been able to engage in multiple sustainability projects within Canada and on a more global scale. In 2020, I was able to get involved with Outreach360 and support the virtual delivery of an English-based STEM education to over 20 kids in the Dominican Republic. In addition to equitable education, I am also extremely passionate about female empowerment. In 2020, I was very excited to get involved with BoostHER, which soon became Western’s first all-female mentorship club across multiple industries. Over three years with the organization, I was able to lead the annual planning and execution of our mentorship program, connecting over 200 Western/Ivey students with mentors from over 15 different industries.

As a second-year student I was also able to take on the role of Pro-Bono Consultant and Team Lead at 180 Degrees Consulting Western. Throughout the year, I worked closely with a local package-free grocery store to understand their operations and address various inefficiencies, therefore maximizing their impact on the London community and realizing significant cost savings for the small business.