The 2025–26 HBA Sustainability Certificate Launches with New Director and Exciting Opportunities.
The HBA Sustainability Certificate at Ivey is entering a new chapter. With new leadership under Associate Professor Lara Liboni, the 2025–26 program will introduce fresh electives, new partners, and expanded opportunities—all designed to prepare students to lead systems-level transformations in business and society.
Discover the HBA Sustainability Certificate Program
A Message from new Director Lara Liboni:
This Year’s Theme: Come with Me – An Invitation to Systems Change
In a world full of uncertainties and highly complex demands, it is impossible to think of a feasible future for humanity without systems changes.
Historically, we have been inclined to seek improvements or innovations individually and competitively. However, the changes that the planet and businesses require today demand profound and collaborative transformations.
Systems thinking is the basis of systems change. It would be improbable to think of a regenerative future without a different way of thinking from the one we have employed historically. The invitation is to look to our ancestry for reconciliation with a systems way of thinking. To move away from the condition of egocentric heroes towards the search for eco-centric leaders with a higher ideal of collectivity.
Systems change involves deeply understanding and intervening in complex interrelationships that define societal, ecological, and economic structures, emphasizing shifts not only in organizational practices and leadership mindsets but also in cultural narratives and values. It is the transformation of fundamental patterns, mindsets, and structures underlying how systems operate. True systemic transformation requires altering our collective understanding of the world, challenging and redefining norms, values, and assumptions.
Cross-sector collaboration and evidence-based interventions are needed to overcome systemic inertia, addressing persistent societal and environmental challenges rather than symptoms alone. Systems change requires coordinated efforts among businesses, governments, civil society, and academia, driven by shared purpose and accountability.
An increasing number of innovative organizational practices and financial instruments are being developed to encourage organizations to tackle significant societal challenges. It takes courageous managers and leaders to transform the paradigm of efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness to one of sustainability, regeneration, and collaboration. Leaders who are co-creators of tomorrow, driven by purpose, are responsible for balancing the planet and society. In undertaking the Certificate, I decided to bring Systems Change as our theme. We will embrace systems thinking and co-creation to drive systemic change and guide communities towards a thriving future.
New Courses and Electives
The 2025–26 program introduces three options for the required core course: Impact Assessment, Substantiating Sustainability, and Systems Thinking Strategies. Students keen to take more than one will be pleased to know that one can count as the required course, while the other(s) can be counted towards electives.
This year also brings an expanded set of electives. In addition to program staples like Technology and Humanity and Reputation Management, new offerings include: Doing business in Africa, Design-Driven Innovation, Navigating Power Dynamics, and more. See full course options under "Certificate Requirements."
Beyond the Classroom: Key Learning Experiences
Students will deepen their learning and leadership through a series of immersive, hands-on experiences:
- Mentorship: Ongoing support from Sustainability Certificate fellows and Ivey alumni to help students shape and pursue their purpose-driven career paths.
- Live Case Challenge: Real-time dilemmas presented by executives from leading companies, giving students the chance to respond with speed and creativity.
- Field Trip: On-site visits and experiential learning with sustainability leaders across sectors.
- Worldchangers Showcase: A celebration of Ivey alumni who are leading sustainable ventures or integrating sustainability into core strategy.
- Journey to Purpose: A year-end event where students unveil personal purpose statements and connect with alumni, faculty, and incoming students.
The 2025–26 HBA Sustainability Certificate promises a transformative learning journey—one that challenges students to lead with systems thinking, embrace complexity, and become co-creators of a better future.