How Teya Knightingale built sustainability into a Rotman Commerce degree — and earned a spot at Oxford

By Coby Zucker - A&S News

New grad Teya Knightingale’s degree at Rotman Commerce was shaped by her passion for sustainability.

Knightingale, a member of Woodsworth College, served as vice-president of the Rotman Commerce Sustainable Business Group and helped develop a roadmap for students interested in following her path toward blending finance and sustainability.

In recognition of her leadership, Knightingale was honoured as a Judi Schwartz Scholarship recipient by Hart House. She also received the Brookfield Peter F. Bronfman Gold Scholarship from Woodsworth College and the Futures Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership, which recognizes student leaders across Canada.

This fall, Knightingale will begin a master’s in sustainability, enterprise and the environment at the University of Oxford.

When did you decide you wanted to explore sustainability and business?

In high school, I realized business is an area I really like, and there are so many different paths within it. I wanted to bring in my creativity and interests in climate change and sustainability.

I did my research and saw there was a new club in sustainable business at Rotman Commerce and there were ways to do a certificate program with the School of the Environment and an environmental economics minor. I found my path at the intersection of climate change, social impact, policy, business and finance.

What was it like serving as vice-president of the Rotman Commerce Sustainable Business Group?

That group is my bread and butter. It's everything I love. I mentioned it in my application for U of T as a group I wanted to be part of, and I want it to continue thriving after I leave.

What motivated you to create the Sustainability in Commerce guide?

I wanted to help other students navigate the same path I pursued. I also wanted to encourage students not to feel overwhelmed or confused about sustainability in business. I decided to create this guide on Rotman Commerce's website so that students can see that sustainability doesn’t have to be the focus of everything they do. It can complement both a career and a degree.

You started a Pilates and Yoga Club at the university. What was that experience like?

The club took a lot of my hands-on time because I started it from nothing. We grew it from zero to 700 members in a year and a half. It’s been a lot of work but also gratifying — I've been able to connect and talk about movement with so many students across medical sciences, engineering, and other programs I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

You’ve been involved in so many extracurriculars, like the Hart House Finance Committee and the U of T Sustainable Innovation Group. How do you choose what’s right for you?

For me, the reason I’ve had success staying with these groups and feeling so connected to them is I only go after what interests me and brings me joy — and less so what I think would look best on a resume.

Clubs are voluntary, and they’re often a big commitment. You have to love what you're doing and actually want to do the work. It’s helpful to try things and know you can always leave. A lot of the time, students think these clubs are more formal and exclusive than they are.

What was it like to receive accolades like the Futures Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership?

It feels pretty surreal. And of course, true validation does not need to come from outside, but it is still an amazing feeling to be recognized. There's also an element of financial relief because a lot of these awards do come with scholarships, and that makes a world of a difference for my undergraduate tuition and planning ahead for my graduate studies.

Looking back, were there any classes or professors who stood out having a large impact on your degree?

It’s hard for me to not say all my professors, because I've learned so much in all my courses, but I can think of two professors who really shaped and supported me.

In my first year, the very first finance course I took was with Professor David Goldreich. He makes a lot of intimidating topics less intimidating. And that inspired me to explore the communication side of finance in the way that I speak with younger students, lead panel events and my clubs.

In my fourth year, I took a sustainable finance course. It was a taste of what I’m hoping to pursue in my master’s and career, and that was with Professor Jan Mahrt Smith. More than any course I've ever taken, it confirmed exactly what I want to be doing in life.

In your spare time, you write children’s books. How did that begin?

I actually worked on my first one when I was seven years old. It was my favourite thing ever. I knew I loved drawing, but I'd never really done creative writing. Then, when I was in high school, I spent a few months working on one about celebrating diversity. It got published, and it was in the Toronto Public Library.

From that point on, I realized this is something I could actually do. I worked on three more throughout the end of high school and now I'm currently working on one with the University of Victoria about saving and local spending. I'm finally accepting that this doesn't have to be a small side of me. It can be truly who I am: a business student and an illustrator.

What advice would you give first-year students?

Something a few students have asked me is, ‘How did you have it all sorted out since the start?’ It's always funny to hear because I ask others how they have so much clarity. The grass is always greener. When someone is passionate about something, it makes it seem like they have it all figured out.

Just because I know the area I want to make an impact on doesn't mean I know my five-year plan. Give yourself a whole lot more grace when it comes to that uncertainty. When you're an undergrad, you don't really know where your path is going to lead, but my advice is to do what brings you joy and follow your passions. Everything else will work out.

Originally published in Arts & Science News.