I am a dual-Mechanical Engineering and Ivey HBA student who has a desire to learn more and expand my knowledge in a variety of areas which is what led me to a dual degree program. The ability to integrate engineering and business principles creates an interesting intersection that I can apply to a variety of industries. I want to create novel and innovative solutions to help solve the current climate crisis. I am particularly focused on sustainable energy and direct air capture. I also play lacrosse for Westerns Varsity team and love to cook.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My personal definition of sustainability is creating opportunities, products, and societies that can be used in perpetuity with no damage to any stakeholders involved in the process. This means considering what the impacts are of an individual action on things like the environment, human rights, and human independence to name a few. Sustainability is a difficult thing to achieve as decisions positively impact some groups while negatively affecting others. Despite this difficulty, a sustainable lifestyle and future is something we should all be striving towards, and it should be our end goal.

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

I envision myself participating in and creating solutions to help combat climate change. This means that sustainability will have a direct impact on the types of jobs I will be looking for. I will be trying to find companies that are interested and focused on creating technologies that have a direct and immediate impact. As new technologies are invented and invest in sustainable technology increases the opportunities for potential career opportunities increases. The negative of a growing understanding surrounding sustainability is greenwashing. I will have to be careful who I choose to work with and for so that I do not end up working for a company whose primary mission is not sustainability. I will have to be careful when exploring new opportunities to understand what the root motivations of different companies and individuals are.

I also have a passion for the reduction of wealth inequality. I will be looking to work for companies that pay fair and sustainable wages to their employees and create opportunities for improved quality of life among these people. I will be dissuaded from working for employers who see their workers as just another cog in the machine and a resource to exploit.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

I co-founded the Western Engineering Green Technology Club (WEGTC) and am currently its Vice President of Design. WEGTC is focused on building and researching sustainable technologies. In the club's first year, it is building a Direct Air Carbon Capture device. I am the build team lead so am a liaison between the two capstone teams that are building the device. I am also a member of the mechanical capstone team. Our focus for the device is to find a novel way to 3D print the sorbent material we are using and minimize the energy input required to run the device.

I am an Education and Advocacy Sapling for the Ivey Social Impact Club. This has involved research surrounding sustainability topics and creating information that is digestible for the broader public to learn more about sustainability. Topics that I have researched include hydrogen-powered vehicles and COP28.

Please list any sustainability-related interests you want to explore during the certificate. 

• Green Energy: Nuclear Power, SMRs, Hydro, Geothermal
• Wealth Inequality: how to reduce it, policy changes that can be made, how companies can be a part of the change
• Sustainable cities
• Degrowth
• Impact Investing