Three summative projects from the University of St. Michael’s College’s Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SR&S) have been recognized with the President’s Capstone Award. These projects are designed to create a positive social change and environmental impact in the larger community. This year’s winning projects focused on sustainable and just supply chains in Canada; a guide that places a systems lens on a sustainability reporting; and a business case and model comparison of municipal ESG reporting and materiality assessment.
“After learning with a dedicated team of instructors, diverse classmates, and experienced mentors, these projects demonstrate that our students are already empowered to share St. Michael’s values to effect transformative change in the world,” says St. Michael’s President David Sylvester. “We are proud to recognize our students’ work in the SR&S program with the Capstone Award.”
Those considered for the President’s Capstone Award are nominated by their mentors they worked with over the 16-month course of the program. Projects were judged by a four-person panel, which included experts in the fields of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Winners were selected in the following categories: Advancing Social and/or Environmental Impact; Advancing Social & Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability in their own organization or that of others; Advancing Innovative Practices in Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG.
The winners of the President’s Capstone Award are:
The Advancing Social and/or Environmental Impact recognized Seema Rizvi’s project, “Breaking Chains, Building Bridges: Advancing Towards Sustainable and Just Supply Chains in Canada,” which looks to promote ethical business practices in Canada’s apparel industry. Her report provides companies with strategies to combat modern slavery and offers investors and consumers a framework to understand and enforce the standards set by Canada’s new legislation. Michelle Albanese, Director of ESG and Sustainable Supply Chain at Upswing Solutions was the mentor for this project.
Olivia MacDonald’s “Creating a Sustainability Reporting Guide with a Systems Thinking View,” received top honours in the Advancing Social & Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability category. Her project stemmed from the challenges that arose when creating a sustainability report for her organization. She has used these experiences to develop a guide that can help other organizations prepare sustainability reports. She was guided by her project mentor, Wes Gee, Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Works Design.
Finally, Kate McBride-Staples’ project titled “Municipal ESG Reporting and Materiality Assessment: Business Case and Model Comparison” was selected for the Advancing Innovative Practices in Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG category. In her report, she makes the argument that despite being a tool primarily used in the private sector, municipalities can also benefit from environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and materiality assessment. Yvonne Jeffery (Class 2013), VP Sustainability at Vermillion Energy provided mentorship for this project.
In all, eight students were nominated for the award and the remaining five projects received honourable mentions:
In the Advancing Social &/or Environmental Impact category:
• Christine Michalejko for her paper: “The importance of information sharing in enacting change and meaningful community engagement.” Mentored by Trish Tervit (Class 2022).
• David Harris-Koblin for his paper: “Hastings Crossing – Bia’s As A Vehicle For Social Change.” Mentored by Brian Shurman (Class 2017).
In the Significantly Advancing Social & Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG in their Organization category:
• Alexandria (Lexie) Diemer, for her paper: “Embedding a Creating Shared Value (CSV) Model in Your Organization.” Mentored by Dr. Mimi Marrocco.
• Melissa Hogg, for her paper: “Unlocking Disparity: The Representation of Women in Technology Based Companies.” Mentored by Dr. Mimi Marrocco.
Advancing Innovative Practices in Social & Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) category:
• Aleisha Apang, for her paper: “At the Intersection of DEI and Partnerships: Applying a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion to build impactful partnerships.” Mentored by Antoinette Ellis.
The panel of judges included Siobhan Barrie (Class 2022), Senior Manager of Social Impact and Sustainability at LCBO; Michaela Becker (Class 2012), Independent Contractor; Dr. Greg Rupik, Director of St. Michael’s President’s Office; and Michael Salvatori, Director of Continuing Education at the University of St. Michael’s.
About the Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Forty participants are accepted annually to the St. Michael’s program, which attracts students from across Canada and around the world from sectors as diverse as banking and manufacturing to education and NGOs. This “work as you learn” program enables participants to take their career in Social Responsibility, Sustainability and ESG to the next level. Participants tackle and resolve a Sustainability/ESG challenge in their company in a major Action Project under the mentorship of faculty and co-learners; learn from global thought leaders; experience practical “real world” change management through the ExperienceChange™ Simulation and join a prestigious community of St. Michael’s alumni in continuing education, sharing and networking. Graduates receive the post-nominal letters Dipl.SR&S.
The Diploma will start applications for 2025/26 Cohort in January. Only 40 applicants are accepted. To apply, go to the Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability Website. First intake deadline is March 31, 2025.
For More Information Contact
Kathryn A. Cooper, Program Manager, Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Email: kathryncooper@csr-stmikes.ca
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