By: Cayla Rampersadsingh, University of Waterloo student
November marked a significant milestone in sustainability education as the University of Waterloo hosted the inaugural Be the Future: Inspiring Young Leaders to Transform Industries and Cities conference. Organized by the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), the Faculty of Environment and Ontario DECA, the event brought together high school students from across Ontario at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. The conference explored the critical role of sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices in shaping the future of business. This unique event highlighted Waterloo's commitment to developing the next generation of leaders by inspiring students to explore the intersection of sustainability, social impact and economic growth.
Attendees engaged with industry leaders and experts through thought-provoking discussions and interactive workshops. A standout moment was the Shaping the Future of Business panel, which provided valuable perspectives on how sustainability is reshaping the financial industry. Ravinder Gill, Managing Director of Sustainable Finance at RBC's Commercial Banking Group, addressed sustainability's evolution over the past decade, commenting that "sustainability used to be sidelined—something managed in a back corner. Now, it's part of the core."
Adding to the discussion was Daniyal Ahmed (MAcc ‘21), Senior Manager of PwC's Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, who highlighted the growing relevance of sustainability in corporate strategy. "Sustainability is everywhere. The urgent need for accurate, high-level information on sustainable practices has never been greater," urged Ahmed.
Kent Willmore (BES ‘94), CEO and Founder of AGinvest Farmland Properties Canada Inc. and featured conference speaker, reflected on the conference discussions, emphasizing the vital role aspiring professionals will play in shaping the future of business. Following the event, he described young leaders as "catalysts for real change, especially in championing sustainable and ESG practices."
Willmore also stressed the urgency of shifting corporate priorities, stating, "These initiatives must become 'table stakes'—non-negotiable foundations of how we operate." He added, "Young leaders will bridge the gap, driving actions that not only advance business success but also positively impact our environment and society for generations to come."
Munam Khan's keynote address.
Adam Vitalis, Ravinder Gill and Daniyal Ahmed during the "Shaping the Future of Business" panel.
Eryn Stewart, Darryl Neate, Thiruni Thirimann, Meng Wang and Kent Willmore during the "ESG and the Future of Work" panel.
Sustainability and Financial Management students Ethan F., Anita W., Rachael M., with program co-directors Jennifer Lynes Murray and Blake Phillips during the "Integrating Sustainability into Business Education" panel.
These insights illustrate the growing need for professionals with expertise in sustainability, particularly in the fields of accounting and finance, a need that Waterloo's Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) program is uniquely positioned to meet. As the only undergraduate program of its kind in Canada, SFM equips students with the specialized knowledge to navigate and lead in this evolving landscape, making its graduates highly sought after in today's job market. "In the past, I had to hire separate roles for finance and sustainability expertise. Now, seeing both integrated into one candidate's experience excites me,” says RBC’s Gill. By infusing sustainability into accounting and finance education, SFM plays a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow, preparing students to tackle complex ESG challenges with forward-thinking solutions.
The inaugural conference laid a strong foundation as the University of Waterloo plans to make Be the Future an annual event. It showcased the power of early engagement in sustainability and inspired attendees to envision careers that contribute to a more sustainable world, one where people, profits and the planet are prioritized in the bottom line.