Empowering the next generation of sustainable leaders
Ivey's HBA Sustainability Certificate welcomes its eleventh cohort of students in September 2019. Directed by Oana Branzei and funded by RBC, the Certificate empowers Ivey HBA students to build and lead more sustainable organizations. It includes a coordinated set of courses and experiences designed to provide a strong grounding in the principles and best practices of sustainability. The program positions students to begin their journeys as responsible C-Suite decision-makers, entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders and policymakers.
Learn more about past certificate events in our student written blogs:
- Knowledge gained and hearts changed at the HBA Sustainability Certificate field trip (October 2019)
- A Closing Ceremony that opened new doors (March 2019)
- HBA reflect on Sustainability Certificate kick-off (September 2018)
- Sustainability is a new design for the fashion industry (October 2017)
Resources
- Committed to starting their personal social or sustainable ventures.
- Interested in sustainability consulting.
- Having a personal calling to make a difference, wanting to blend this calling with a successful career in traditional organizations.
- Interested in pursuing sustainable opportunities after gaining insights through traditional job placements.
- Mentor students
- Participate as speakers in sustainability events
If you're a manager wanting to engage with students in this program, contact sustainability@ivey.ca
- September 16th, 2019 6-9PM: Difference-makers – a live case with real-time dilemmas presented by the executive team.
- September 27th, 2019 9AM-9PM: Impact Day – on-site hands-on activities hosted by multiple leaders & organizations.
- March 18th, 2020 6-9PM: Keynote, closing ceremony and networking with faculty, EIRs and the incoming 2020-21 cohort.
The Certificate in Sustainability has both credit and non-credit requirements, as outlined below.
Credit Requirements
1.0 required courses: To complete the Certificate you must successfully complete HBA1 and the following HBA2 courses:
- 4620 Impact Assessment (Half-Course)
- 4499 Case Writing or Research Project (Half Course) (Must be sustainability focused and approved by the Sustainability Certificate Program.)
1.0 electives: You must also complete a minimum of 1.0 credits from the following:
- 4458 Leading Change (Half Course)
- 4525 International Business Environment Studies: Service Learning in Africa (Half Course)
- 4564 Design-Driven Innovation (Half Course)
- 4580 Reputation Management (Half Course)
- 4495 Building Consumer Brands (Half Course)*
- 4619 The Performing Leader (Half Course) Available as a certificate elective for students graduating in 2020
- 4553 Social Enterprise (Half Course) Not offered in the 2019-2020 academic year; returning in 2020-2021
- 4591 Business and Markets (Half Course) Not offered in the 2019-2020 academic year
* Students selecting Building Consumer Brands as a certificate elective must opt to do their final course project on a sustainability-oriented brand/organization.
Students going on exchange in the second term must complete all core courses at Ivey but can substitute 1.0 electives with sustainability-related courses offered by your host institution. Please obtain pre-approval from the Sustainability Program and from the HBA Program Office for these substitutions before you leave.
Non-Credit Requirements
Sustainability certificate students are expected to engage in four exclusive, sponsored events:
- Full-day immersion experience hosted off-site by leaders from different sectors
- Live case with real-time dilemmas presented by the executive team
- Half-day alumni reunion, mentorship and recruiting event
- Closing ceremonies
Certificate students receive the first invitations to exclusive events, including conferences, dinners, guest speakers and other networking events. These events are not required, but are excellent opportunities to learn and network.
Each student has the opportunity (should they choose) to be paired with an individual mentor during the certificate.
Each year, students work closely with a series of Executives in Residence, who represent the range of best practices in sustainability in Canada, and globally, that year.
The program has limited enrollment. The application for admission consists of a standard 'fill-in-the-blanks' form with three written-answer questions, plus a biography, photo and up-to-date resume (see form above). For more information or to submit your completed application, please contact sustainability@ivey.ca.
Professor Oana Branzei - Director, obranzei@ivey.uwo.ca
Julia Bevacqua - Program Coordinator, jbevacqua@ivey.ca
HBA Sustainability Certificate Alumni
This program is generously supported by the RBC Foundation.
