Stepping into one of the multipurpose rooms found in the basement of Ivey’s beautiful glass building, my colleague Brooke and I were greeted warmly by Tiah Dunstan and Rachel Pizzonia, Co-Directors of Ivey Connects, who hosted the annual Ivey Connects Charity Gala for the 2023/2024 academic year. Once attendees had settled in, Dunstan and Pizzonia launched into their presentation which highlighted the work that each HBA1 section had achieved over the past two semesters. After being treated to a delicious dinner, we were able to glean insight into the HBA organization and learn about the group’s initiatives.
Ivey Connects is a student-led organization that aims to bring charity and non-profits into the lives of HBA students. Each HBA1 section partners with a specific charity and a student is selected to run fundraising events throughout the year, culminating in the Charity Gala where the results are presented to the charity representatives. Dunstan remarked, “our main purpose is to advocate for the social, charitable aspects of Ivey, and break away from the stereotype that business is synonymous with profit. There is absolutely a place for anyone at Ivey who is looking to make an impact on their community, and Ivey Connects ensures that students are gifted this opportunity.” Pizzonia agrees, “Ivey Connects is dedicated to inspiring Ivey Business School students to make valuable contributions to assist those in need in the community, and I am very proud of all our efforts. Our students and leads work diligently to successfully achieve this goal.” To date, the 2023/2024 HBA1 class has raised over $8,700 with even more on the way – events such as a March Madness tournament and a partnership with Chipotle are yet to come, further increasing this impressive sum.
Speaking to Sunny Su, an HBA1 section representative, she reflected on how Ivey Connects eased her transition to the school and acted as “the perfect opportunity to give back to the London community while creating connections with new people.” Whether it was Children’s Health Foundation, Reforest London or London Therapy Dogs, each of the ten HBA1 sections had the chance to support a unique charity. Sections participated in activities including squash tournaments, movie nights and pizza sales, allowing students to bond while contributing to the local community.
Ivey Connects is a unique opportunity to integrate community service into your university experience. So what can AEO students do to prepare for future involvement? The process of applying for a VP position of Ivey Connects consists of a written application and an interview. In terms of preparation, Su stated that “experience with charity work and running events is helpful, but it is not necessary”, rather it is more important to “bring solid ideas to the table and make an effort to connect with the local charities.” Preparing for this role as an AEO could consist of immersing yourself in the London volunteer scene, or honing in on your interview skills.
Ivey Connects highlights how business students can become more thoughtful of the non-profit industry, and stresses that there is a place for business students looking to make a real-world impact. The name of the organization is truly accurate, as it highlights how students can create meaningful connections within their sections and within the local community.