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BAFM '11, MAcc '12
Director, ENGIE Impact

Ivan Li is a Director at ENGIE Impact––a sustainability consulting firm––covering the Asia-Pacific region from their Singapore location. In Ivan’s role, he advises corporate clients as they navigate sustainability in their organizations, helping to set sustainable goals and build the frameworks to get there. His work has taken him in a variety of directions, designing decarbonization strategies and implementing them, procuring renewable energy sources and technologies, as well as conducting sustainable supply chain engagement and carbon markets development. 

During Ivan’s time at SAF, sustainability was not an area of interest for him, nor was it a focus for the finance industry at large. As such, he took the more traditional route of earning a Chartered Accountancy designation, establishing a solid foundation of knowledge and intuition for how businesses work. As Ivan navigated his career, he became interested in sustainability and looked for ways to incorporate this interest with his financial expertise to help drive business profitability and increase value for organizations. 

“A path to success is never linear – what might look like a mish-mash of experiences can actually become a portfolio of opportunities that shape the uniqueness of you. So, follow your passions and all else will fall into place.” 

When considering the integration of sustainability into other industries, Ivan shares that it is important to make decisions with the long-term in mind, rather than prioritizing short-term gains.  

Referring to climate change as “one of the greatest challenges for our generation,” Ivan stresses that we as a society must focus on how we can build a world that will enable future generations to thrive. Looking forward into the distant future can still benefit us today by enabling new economic values like finding more efficient ways to operate with green technologies, while still mitigating future risk like resource scarcity or supply chain disruptions. Ultimately, a focus on sustainability in current industries will help to foster a balanced, resilient future that facilitates the well-being of the planet we call home.

BAFM '13
Senior Manager, Accounting Advisory and Sustainability Reporting at EY

As the Senior Manager of EY’s Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) team, Munam Khan is the ESG Reporting Lead in Canada. She specializes in guiding clients from various industries through sustainability reporting and helping finance teams understand the pivotal role they play in their organization’s sustainability journey.

Munam emphasizes that the strong foundation in accounting principles, finance and financial reporting she received throughout her educational journey at SAF—and a broad exposure to different areas of the industry—gave her the skill and confidence to take on various challenges throughout her career, including implementing new accounting standards and integrating systems to navigating mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and sustainability initiatives. She also calls her co-op experience a “game-changer” for her career, noting that it allowed her to apply classroom learning to real world situations, while exploring different roles, gaining hands-on experience, and working with leading companies.  

“There will be many reasons not to try something new, but countless reasons to embrace new opportunities. Take chances, bet on yourself, and never shy away from exploring uncharted territory.” 

As Munam navigates an industry that is increasingly focused on sustainability, she sees the value in programs like SFM that equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the changing job market. The undergraduate program, she explains, is meeting the rising demand for accountants who understand sustainability principles and can effectively communicate a company’s progress to stakeholders. 

Adopting sustainable practices helps organizations address environmental and social concerns, but it also strengthens their ability to manage risk, enhance operational efficiency and create value that aligns with broader societal responsibilities. Munam notes that today’s investors are placing increasing value on sustainability and a company’s commitment to these principles significantly increases its overall value. While sustainable practices often lead to long-term cost savings and reduced environmental impact, she points out that a growing share of a company’s worth now comes from intangible assets like customer loyalty, employee engagement, carbon footprint, community contributions and societal impact—factors intertwined with sustainability.  

“For instance,” she explains, “consider an insurance company that incorporates flood coverage into its sustainability strategy; this not only protects the business, but it also supports communities in adapting to climate change. By integrating sustainability into their core operations, companies can position themselves as leaders in their industries while simultaneously contributing positively to the world around them.” 

Importantly, Munam stresses that embracing sustainability is not just a trend or a business strategy, but rather, it is an acknowledgement of the changing financial, social and environmental landscape. She believes that sustainable practices are no longer optional, but essential for fostering long-term resilience among businesses across all industries.