During Ivey’s 15th Global Ivey Day Celebration, our esteemed alumni panellists shared valuable insights garnered from their experiences driving sustainability strategy and implementation within some of Canada’s most respected organizations.
At this year’s Global Ivey Day that centered on corporate sustainability, Ivey alumni leaders from various industries convened to delve into the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainability initiatives company-wide. The event provided a platform for insightful discussions and exchange of ideas, highlighting the evolving landscape of sustainability practices.
Tom Ewart, HBA ’04, AVP of Sustainability at Co-operators Group, shared his experiences with implementing sustainability as a core component of a company-wide strategy. He emphasized the importance of transparency and proactive measures in navigating the challenges and capturing the opportunities associated with sustainability integration.
Anushka Grant, MBA ’05, Vice President of Operational Excellence and Sustainability at Oxford Properties Group, drew attention to the significance of taking comprehensive action on climate change. She stressed the need for companies to proactively engage with stakeholders in driving these efforts, noting the potential benefits once a comprehensive understanding is achieved.
Teanne von der Porten, MBA ’05, Executive Director of ESG Services at KPMG, shed light on how many companies are still early in the process of understanding what is required to address sustainability within their strategy and operations. She underscored the importance of guiding companies in developing roadmaps and operational models to facilitate their sustainability journey.
Navigating challenges and charting a sustainable course
During the interactive session, audience members raised pertinent questions, including inquiries about resource constraints and regulatory compliance. Speakers provided insights into practical approaches, such as starting with a few key issues under the ESG umbrella and aligning strategies with stakeholder priorities.
Discussions also touched on challenges such as greenwashing and the need for transparent reporting of sustainability metrics. Speakers emphasized the importance of authenticity and continuous improvement, advocating for meaningful incentives and third-party assurance concerning data.
Participants also explored avenues for driving sustainability at both organizational and individual leadership levels. Strategies included aligning initiatives with core values, prioritizing scalable solutions, and maintaining focus on long-term objectives despite criticism or setbacks.
Overall, the event served as a platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among leaders committed to advancing sustainability agendas. By sharing insights and best practices, participants reaffirmed their dedication to driving meaningful change toward a more sustainable future.
Celebrating a successful event
The Ivey Sustainability Global Ivey Day was a hit, all thanks to our fantastic panel of alumni senior leaders, BCD hosts, and our attendees who made the discussion lively and interactive!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Eric Saarvala, EMBA ’17, Co-lead of the Ivey Alumni Sustainability Community & Head of Corporate Sustainability at Raymond James Ltd, for his warm welcome to all attendees. We also express our appreciation to Sandra Odendahl, Senior Vice President and Head of Sustainability and Diversity & Partnerships at BDC for delivering compelling opening remarks, and to Matthew Lynch, Associate Director of the Centre for Building Sustainable Value at Ivey Business School, for expertly moderating the panel discussions and Q&As.
Lastly, our gratitude to the BDC for graciously providing such a beautiful venue space, which facilitated the coming together of Ivey alumni to delve into the vital topic of sustainability.
15th Global Ivey Day
Thank you to Ivey's Multi-Media Specialist Brandon MacIntosh for capturing event photos.
