Some of my mentors have played pivotal roles in my life, and similar to sustainability, it is one of my goals to give back and pay it forward. Prior to HBA1, I was in the Medical Sciences program, and I am passionate about creating a positive change through the intersection of science and business. Growing up, one of my favourite hobbies was gardening, as well as spending time outdoors swimming and hiking. I also love travelling, especially visiting natural wonders of our world like the Northern Lights! Through the Ivey Sustainability Certificate, I hope to learn unique ways I can leverage my skills to give back as an advocate for environmental and social sustainability. 

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

To me, sustainability is an intersection of all fields, from the sciences to EDI, all working together in harmony to maintain longevity and continuity on our planet. It’s a long-term objective that ensures future generations enjoy the world as we know it today. Sustainability goes beyond caring for the environment and should be embedded in all social structures, ranging from international economies to our own local communities. It’s our empathy with the environment, nature, and others around us that truly allows sustainability to thrive.

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

As someone interested in working in the health-sector field, I see sustainability playing a key role changing how we view medicine, especially post-COVID-19.    

In a business role, thinking about the different people that might be impacted through my role as a professional in a developed country is a starting point to thinking about how my actions could impact societies far away from my own. With pharmaceuticals in particular, some of my decision-making could have impacts on communities halfway across the world in developing countries! Thinking about sustainable solutions to address problems, particularly in a more interconnected global world, is something that I will have to consider as a potential consultant. Being open-minded and understanding the unique intersections everyone has will be essential to creating sustainable and equitable solutions.  

The impact that climate change has on global health is also immense. As someone also aspiring to work in the medical field, climate change will have huge impacts on epidemiology and the prevalence of diseases around the world. If sustainable solutions are not addressed and implemented, trends seen within medicine will change and I, as a medical professional, will also have to adapt. 

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

The first sustainability project I tackled was in elementary school! After being inspired by a guest speaker, my best friends who lived on my street decided to go around our local community to pick up garbage on Earth Day. This started in Grade 1 as a fun excursion, and ultimately continued for 6 years!    

In high school, my involvement turned towards more local social sustainability efforts. From volunteering at the food bank, to assisting with my school’s Eco-club initiatives, I’ve found ways to give back to the local community in unique, creative and meaningful ways! For 2 years as a volunteer and ultimately as an event organiser, I have always looked forward to the annual Carol 4 Cans event. Every December, a group of volunteers and I would go carolling door-to-door in our school community in exchange for non-perishable food donations! Since coming to university and learning more about the global impacts surrounding sustainability, I’ve seen that even small actions can have long-lasting impacts. My goal to learn more about this key issue and prepare myself as an advocate in the real world has inspired me to pursue the sustainability certificate at Ivey and I’m really excited for what’s to come!

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

I am really interested in the healthcare side of sustainability, such as equitable access to healthcare around the world and how this landscape is changing post-COVID-19.  

I’m also interested in the business behind sustainability and learn more about truly how companies are tackling “greenwashing.” In an economy with rising inflation and higher costs of living, people may become unwilling to pay more for “sustainable” products and I’m curious to learn more about how businesses around the world are tackling this issue. As well, whether or not their operations are truly “sustainable” themselves (able to sustain profits and grow).