Having completed three years in biomedical science prior to Ivey, I have a keen interest in ecology and the environment, as well as the behavioural psychology behind the psyche of those who are not motivated to be green. I am an avid camper, and daughter of the Campus Planning and Sustainability Director at York University, so current events in the environmentalist world are common table talk at my house hold, and being green has been engrained as a value of mine. My passions include volunteering, travelling, and food! – All of which I intend to enjoy with minimal impact on our environment.
Additional Information
Personal Definition of Sustainability
Sustainability is the decision to conduct your actions in a way which doesn't interfere with the ability of future generations to have the same quality of life which we are so fortunate to. This encompasses everything from recycling, to fossil fuel emission, to eating locally, to practicing ethical consumerism. For me, sustainability is my future children being able to see the same old growth forests in Temagami that I have for summers; it is urban planning which is focused on public transportation systems and pedestrianism; it is working for a firm that has a corporate mission to ensure positive social impact.
Sustainability-In-Action
As a leadership trainer for YMCA Camp Pine Crest, I was responsible for leading canoe trips and instilling the values of "no trace camping" to participants. This was the foundation of my interest in sustainability, as I worked to foster a sense of responsibility and accountability in my campers and co-workers. Following this role, I worked as a Research Analyst for York University. Here, I worked on a project assessing the feasibility of a campus famers market—a prospective solution to encourage local eating. As well, I conducted a comprehensive survey of the food service providers on campus for their sustainability efforts i.e. fair trade coffee. This project was very rewarding as it gave me insight into the issues with implementing sustainability efforts (i.e. expense, distributors). As well, from a marketing standpoint, it required exploration of the psyche of those not motivated to use the farmers market. Additionally, my 257 feasibility study analyzed a potential company we created named EcoLogic. The ambition of this firm was to provide ecofriendly alternatives as a means of fundraising in schools. Although I did not pursue the project, it opened my eyes to the endless ways of creating a more sustainable society.
