This past week, I had the chance to reconnect with my Ivey community on Global Ivey Day 2023. I attended the Careers in Sustainability: Following your purpose for real impact panel and networking event in Toronto. Events like these serve as a powerful reminder of the strong sense of community I experienced during my time at Ivey, and the lasting positive impact it continues to have on the lives of alumni.
The panel featured four inspiring alumni:
- Lisa Annabel Ellis, MBA ‘06, Founder & President of YellowYellow ESG Advisory
- Katie Wu, HBA '11, Associate Director, Sustainable Investing, Private Markets at Manulife Investment Management,
- Eric Saarvala, EMBA '17, Head of Corporate Sustainability at Raymond James Ltd. And Executive Director at Raymond James Canada Foundation, and
- Stacey Fruitman, HBA '92, Founder, Style with Substance Ventures
As the panelists shared their unique sustainability journeys, what I found most striking was that no one path was the same. Some individuals came from a more traditional finance role, while others transitioned from industries such as fashion, energy, or buildings. While some entered the space earlier in their career, others made the shift later in life.
Engaging alumni of all backgrounds
Before the panel began, Matthew Lynch, Associate Director of the Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value, invited each attendee to introduce themselves and share about their position and work. It was interesting to hear about the diverse range of work Ivey alumni are involved in, with some attendees actively working in impact or sustainability-focused roles and others working in adjacent sectors. Others work in unrelated roles but are either working on sustainability-focused side projects or simply eager to expand their knowledge and explore new pathways toward sustainability. This diverse range of perspectives contributed to an engaging and rich discussion during the panel and in the following networking portion of the afternoon.
Transferrable skills drive positive change
An important question, and one that I have heard peers often ask, concerns what skills are required for those looking to land a position in the sustainability space. When asked about this, the panelists stressed the importance of transferable skills over technical ones, particularly the ability to be adaptable, resilient, and collaborate. With an ever-changing and evolving landscape, sustainability professionals should prioritize honing in on these skills.
The value of networking
Overall, I had a great time attending this event, filled with familiar faces, and appreciated the chance to catch up with friends and peers as well as connect with alumni I have not crossed paths with before. It was heartening to hear how many alumni have collaborated on projects together post-graduation, and created partnerships across their respective career paths. It showed me the potential and value of the connections and strong relationships we’ve all built during our time at Ivey.
Personally, I have found a lot of purpose in strengthening my relationships with the alumni network and continuing to invest and build these connections. As I have been interested in a range of impact-related topics, such as biodiversity, agriculture, gender equity, and net-zero, I have found that there is always someone within my network that is working in one (or multiple!) of these areas. It has brought about some great conversations, sharing of ideas, and potential collaborations.
Concluding thoughts
With so much to be done and improved within our existing systems and structures, at times this work can become exhausting and discouraging. However, being part of the Ivey community reminds me that I am never alone, which has kept me energized and excited. Hearing about the successes of others, being able to share frustrations, and having a community to celebrate my own wins, has been a rewarding and inspiring experience.
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