I was born in Toronto, Ontario but grew up in South Florida and spent my summers at my cottage in northern Ontario. My family ingrained in me a deep appreciation for nature, encouraging me to spend most of my childhood outdoors. Exposure to pollution on local beaches, my lake’s deteriorating health, and melting glaciers in Iceland has highlighted the impact humans have had on the earth. This has translated into a passion for protecting the environment. As I grew older, I actively pursued leadership opportunities to challenge myself and make a positive impact on society and the environment.  

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

In my opinion, sustainability involves recognizing the impact of our actions on the environment and taking responsibility to reduce this impact. It is a shared responsibility for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. In our consumer-driven society, many people are either unaware or choose to ignore the effects of their actions on both the environment, locally and globally. Sustainability, therefore, involves consistently seeking alternatives to mitigate and repair the damage caused by our actions, as well as promoting social justice and ensuring equal access to resources and basic needs.  

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

Sustainability has been an integral part of my life thus far. It influences how I spend my free time in nature, has shaped my academic career path and helps to inform informing my personal day-to-day choices. One of the primary reasons I chose to attend Ivey was for the opportunity to learn about how sustainable practices can be integrated into business strategies.  

Thus, naturally as I look to my professional future, I am committed to finding opportunities that align with my values. I am currently prioritizing companies that share my commitment to sustainability as I search for summer internships and post-graduate job opportunities. By working in an environment that emphasizes sustainable practices, I will be able to make a meaningful impact on social and environmental issues. As I progress in my career, I aspire to take on a leadership role in sustainable initiatives and help organizations implement long-term solutions to promote positive change for the world.  

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

In high school, I participated in several projects focused on sustainability education. In grade 10, I dedicated my MYP Personal Project to raising awareness about oceanic pollution. I created an art mosaic using glass waste collected from local beaches, igniting my passion for sustainability. I then helped lead a beach cleanup team for two years, organizing monthly cleanups at various local beaches. My most significant project was through ArtShark, a company I founded to leverage my artistic abilities to raise awareness and donate to cleaning up oceanic pollution.  

Since coming to university, I’ve embarked on a personal sustainability project to assess my individual impact on the environment. While I had always been conscious of my personal choices, I dedicated the summer to educating myself on ways to reduce my environmental footprint. I updated my eating habits to include more sustainable food options, made informed consumer choice based on companies’ ESG initiatives and carbon footprint, prioritized reducing my single-use plastic usage, and examined specific consumption habits that impact the environment on a global scale. This project marked the beginning of my lifelong journey to change my personal habits and influence those around me to adopt sustainable practices.