HBA Sustainability Certificate
Empowering the next generation of sustainable leaders
Born and raised in the Chinese culture and moved to Canada at 17 years old. I am a business student studying at Ivey with great editing skills in photography, and strong communication skills and I have navigated in various fields, such as being a teacher, choreographer and school representative with the government. I see myself as a change maker, making a positive social impact in education and sustainable business.
What is your personal definition of sustainability?
In my opinion, sustainability is not limited to protecting the environment and reducing waste but is to finding the balance between the earth and human being. The key solution is to analyze social and economic dimensions in human activities to create a balance between environmental protection, social equity, and economic development. This can be done by having innovative sustainable products to create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for humans.
What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?
As part of my personal career aspirations, my goal is to enter the technology industry. There are two specific objectives that I have in mind as a young professional in this field. Firstly, I am keen on promoting sustainable practices by creating awareness among both workplace and community members through organizing sustainability initiatives like recycling programs or designing user-friendly sustainable experiences. Secondly, I am interested in using my expertise and past government experience to advocate for policy changes that support sustainability goals. For instance, I aim to raise my voice and work towards implementing new sustainable standards that promote gender equality and equal representation across different races.
In addition to my previous projects, I am also currently embarking on an entrepreneurial journey focused on sustainability. Through my network at Ivey and connections with startup mentors, I am collaborating with talented individuals to further my knowledge about real-world sustainable practices. My goal is to develop a new system that promotes alternative thinking about using products in a sustainable manner. By leveraging my connections and working with like-minded individuals, I hope to make a positive impact on the environment while continuing to learn and grow.
What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?
I am currently involved in two related projects. Firstly, as an Associate Director for a global research and consulting group, I have contributed to the development of a sustainable standard. My role has involved providing support and guidance to clients, including prominent brands such as Google and Goodwill. I have worked closely with international branches and collaborated with Harvard to identify best practices and case studies. The outcome of this project is a set of key recommendations for non-profit brand management that address both short and long-term risks of brand inconsistency.
Secondly, I have also launched my own business focused on producing sustainable and affordable hygiene products. My brand aims to make a positive impact on society by providing access to environmentally friendly products made from recyclable materials such as toilet paper. In addition to promoting sustainability, I have also prioritized diversity by hiring a mixed-gender team of students. I believe that my brand will help raise awareness within the community about the importance of making alternative choices when it comes to purchasing hygiene products.
Sky Zhang