Being a part of both the Hanley Sustainability Institute and the Hanley Sustainability Fund has provided me with a unique opportunity to apply my passions in an interdisciplinary way.
I am a sophomore finance and business economics major, and my academics and involvement with the “Hanleys” have sparked an interest in sustainable finance. As I narrow my career goals, this is the perfect time for me to identify connections between my passion for creating a sustainable future with my excitement for the finance industry.
Getting involved in the Hanley Sustainability Fund during my freshman year in college was extremely impactful. The commitment began with an eight-week course dedicated to the expectations as an analyst, financial and market valuation, and sustainable investments.
Following this course, we were tasked with a project of presenting a potential investment to the fund with a partner analyst. Though the challenge was intimidating, the reward upon our completion was even greater. Being the voice for a sustainable future within the fund gave me the confidence to incorporate a focus on sustainability in my career goals.
Upon my completion of the course and project, I identified the industrial team as a significant area of impact. The large companies and global supply chains involved in this industry not only contribute vastly to global carbon emissions, but they also have significant impacts on global economics through trade.
I am also tasked with the challenge of evaluating every company in a fair manner, which I hope to tackle in the future. As an industrials analyst, I have connected with many individuals whose careers contribute to a sustainable future, and they have assured me that there is room for individuals like myself in the finance industry.
Being a student leader and member of the Education Team at the Hanley Sustainability Institute has certainly enriched my experience as an analyst within the fund as well. Hosting conversations and facilitating events to educate students on sustainability initiatives has equipped me with the knowledge to actively participate in discussions regarding corporate sustainable practices. Additionally, my student leader experience has given me the confidence to become a voice for sustainability, which I hope to continue in my future career.
After my full initiation into the Hanley Sustainability Fund, I submitted an application to participate in the “Conscious Capitalism” conference. I attended this two-day event alongside three fellow undergraduate students and the dean and associate dean of the School of Business. The experience was sponsored by Tier1 and intended for C-suite executives to learn about environmental, social and governance impacts that businesses have within capitalist economies, as well as the responsibilities and opportunities that emerge from them.
Undergraduate students like myself were invited to this conference as future leaders of the business industry, especially as this conference aimed to increase awareness of the following impacts and responsibilities among business students.
Our conference experience was filled with international speakers and workshops surrounding leadership, capitalism and sustainable businesses. The international speakers’ diverse backgrounds and careers made them uniquely touching and prompted attendees to consider various strategies for positive impact. Engaging with executives during workshops and discussing their dilemmas provided me with an experience unlike any ordinary networking event. Their unwavering belief in a future of businesses that prioritize quality and service was fascinating.
My excitement peaked when I met people in my desired field of work and learned the impact it has on local and global economies. They were thrilled to meet individuals who strive to make positive change through their work, and I was even happier to be one of those individuals. The entirety of this experience was incomparable to any workshops or lectures I have attended in the past.
The overarching lesson that I learned from this experience was that a desire for positive change is the most powerful foundation for business in a capitalist economy. While the entire event was an inspiration, I was most empowered when I met alumni and people who currently work in my desired field. This proved to me that people who share backgrounds similar to mine with similar career goals have expressed belief in a more sustainable future.
Through it, I identified an undeniable passion for sustainable business leadership that I will apply in my future career. I found this experience particularly relevant to my position as a student leader within the Hanley Sustainability Institute because I was advocating for students’ education on sustainability, but it was specific to my major. I hope to apply these lessons of advocacy and appreciation for sustainability education to become a more effective leader within both the Hanley Sustainability Institute and the Hanley Sustainability Fund.