Cody Buchenauer (MAcc '14), emcee of the Be The Future Conference
Meng Wang (BAFM '12), founder and CEO of Our Little Treasures
Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, the Director of the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED)
On November 15th, “Be the Future” gave high school students a chance to step into the shoes of tomorrow’s business leaders, tackling hands-on challenges, participating in expert panel discussions and exploring how technology, AI, science and sustainability are reshaping the way business is done. Hosted by the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) in partnership with Ontario DECA, the Faculty of Environment and the Faculty of Science, the conference combined teamwork, creativity and friendly competition to bring accounting and finance to life, and leave students inspired to shape the future.
(MAcc ’14), professor and senior manager at EY, emceed the event with his signature energy that his students have come to know and love. He kicked things off by welcoming keynote speaker (BAFM ’12), founder and CEO of — a sustainable clothing company for infants and toddlers. Wang shared her journey of building a business from scratch while staying true to her values. "When you make sustainability practical, you make it powerful," she told students, emphasizing her belief that meaningful change is built from tangible actions.
After hearing Wang's perspective on creating impact-driven business practices, students explored what it takes to become the next generation of business leaders, building the adaptability, perseverance and knowledge across different fields needed to succeed. The conference featured a panel moderated by , Director of the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED). The panel, "Looking to the Future of Business, Accounting and Finance", brought together five experts to share insights, answer questions and motivate students to think broadly and boldly. Wilson noted his admiration for the crowd's thoughtful questions, reflecting, "all we have to do is get out of the way and give (the students) the runway to thrive."
The panel offered a range of perspectives. , professor and specialist in environmental policy, pointed out while specialists remain essential, emerging leaders must also be versatile thinkers. "We need people who can have one foot in multiple professions and see the world from different perspectives," he shared, a sentiment that reflects UݮƵ and SAF's strength as leaders in interdisciplinary education.
director of the Hub for Sustainability Integration, highlighted the powerful intersection of technology and environmental innovation. "Science tells us what to do... but we need technology to help us find ways to make a difference," she explained, adding to the perspective of the value of interdisciplinary solutions.
Bringing in the AI lens, (MAcc '22), product owner and digital strategist at Sanofi, described AI as a tool that reduces waste and accelerates problem-solving. Lam is working towards bridging the gap between science and tech/AI. After completing his studies at UݮƵ, Lam has led a major digital transformation project, putting his belief in efficiency and sustainable innovation into practice.
Dr. Dan Murray, Jonathan Yu, Claire Purvis, Jasper Lam, Dr. Jennifer Lynes
The financial perspective came from (MAcc '07), CFO of CanCap Group Inc. Yu explained that the key to future-ready financial leadership lies in connecting complex information and offering actionable advice. "Connecting the dots and guiding businesses toward sustainable change is what makes it profitable," he said.
Finally, Professor , known for her work in marketing and sustainability — including with Live Nation, stressed the importance of authenticity and transparency in communication as AI continues to grow in influence.
House of Davis owners, Alfred Davis and Edwina Dei-Davis
SAF recruiters and "FBI Agents" Clare and Sam
Current students in SAF
Following the panel, and Alfred Davis, founders of House of Davis, took the stage to share what it truly takes to run a business. With Edwina leading the creative vision and Alfred driving operations and finance, the two offered heartfelt and motivating insights into partnership, resilience and entrepreneurship.
Following their talk, the energy in the room shifted as two "FBI agents" (Agent Sam and Agent Clare, who are lively members of the SAF recruitment team) burst into the auditorium with a choreographed skit that set the stage for the day's case competition. Their "top-secret mission"? Challenging students to develop a solution to the environmental issues created by the fast-fashion industry.
Teams jumped into action, working through the challenge before pitching their ideas to a panel of speakers, industry experts, professors, panellists, current members of the Student Venture Fund (SVF) and SAF ambassadors. While judges deliberated on the top three teams, DECA representatives delivered a high-energy talk about cultivating a strong mindset and unlocking personal potential.
The final three teams then presented their polished solutions to the full auditorium. The winning team, "The Children of the Earth," impressed judges with their proposal to collaborate with Indigenous communities to create ethically sourced, high-quality, handmade products. Their innovative idea earned them a buy-in to the DECA provincial competition.
The "Be The Future" conference truly lived up to its name. By bringing together passionate students, inspiring speakers, and industry experts, the event created an environment where curiosity, creativity and confidence could thrive. Through hands-on problem-solving, meaningful conversations and a dash of fun, students walked away with fresh ideas, new connections and a clearer vision of the impact they can make. If the enthusiasm in the room was any indication, these young leaders aren't just preparing for the future — they're already beginning to shape it.