Mieka Buckley-Pearson

From an early age, Mieka's values were shaped by her commitment to helping others and making a difference. As a child, she instituted a recycling protocol in her household, igniting a generational shift in thinking about consumption and waste. And at eleven, she organized a bake sale to raise money for an HIV/AIDS walk in Vancouver.

Mieka reflects on this experience, stating, “I think fundamentally my family values of equality and service have been the biggest driver of shaping who I am.”

Driven by her passion for sustainability, Mieka pursued a degree in political science and international relations at UBC, which led her to work in Sub-Saharan Africa, witnessing the challenges faced by communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

“I joined an exchange program on sustainable development, travelling through Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and did practical coursework in environmental conservation, health issues, and economic development.”

At 20, Mieka volunteered in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), a country with the highest HIV/AIDS rate and severe poverty. She assisted a woman in delivering healthcare and educational programs to 80 households.

“In the nonprofit sector, everyone is driven to solve problems and help others, but securing resources requires much effort. I realized that solving major issues requires collaboration between business, government, and nonprofits.”

This experience, combined with her studies in sustainable development, fuelled her commitment to addressing not only climate sustainability but also sustainable development as defined by the United Nations. Mieka reflects on her time in when working on social causes, stating, “I took a lot of inspiration from those attitudes and the intelligence and grit that people have around the world.”

After earning her degree, Mieka continued her journey towards sustainability leadership and joined the United Nations Association in Canada, running educational and youth programs. With her involvement in Model UN, she learned the power of empathy-based perspectives and collaboration. Mieka describes the impact of Model UN, saying, “You tackle international issues from an empathy-based perspective... having to learn the policies and diplomatic strategy of nations and leaders other than your own enables a more collaborative approach to solving problems.”

This work reinforced the significance of cross-sector collaboration, a principle Mieka first grasped while in Eswatini.

“I had spent my life until that point focused on policy and politics - I felt I lacked business knowledge.”

To bridge this gap, Mieka pursued a joint master’s degree in Global Affairs and Business at the University of Toronto.

“It made me fluent in business, enabling me to work effectively across business and policy sectors.”

Her internships focused on fostering collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.

“I learned that multi-stakeholder collaboration is key to tackling complex issues like sustainability, as it brings diverse perspectives and fosters innovative, long-term solutions."

Joining Deloitte, Mieka initially focused on the infrastructure practice, where she played a pivotal role in integrating sustainability considerations. She recognized the socioeconomic impact of infrastructure projects and the need to decarbonize operations while providing essential services. Mieka's understanding of the energy sector and infrastructure planning positioned her well to contribute to Deloitte's sustainability efforts, particularly in the context of the energy transition. Mieka highlights the importance of collaboration, stating, "Our country's toughest policy challenges - such as designing the capital projects that will serve all in the future and mitigating and adapting to climate change - require inclusive and collaborative solutions."

“Infrastructure projects enable economic activity and support community wellbeing through transportation, energy, hospitals, schools, and telecommunications.”

“Infrastructure is critical to addressing sustainability and climate needs. From transitioning our energy mix to one that is low-carbon, to building climate resilient water and power utilities able to withstand the next natural disaster.”

“I love focusing on a sector rather than a single solution. In infrastructure, we develop investment strategies and manage projects through their lifecycle: planning, partnering, financing, building and operating, including potential divestment. Public-private cooperation is crucial throughout this process.”

Throughout her career, Mieka has supported public sector organizations in activating their sustainability strategies. She understands the unique role of the public sector in shaping policy and regulation, as well as the need for public sector organizations to lead by example in their own sustainability efforts.

Mieka's ability to convene stakeholders, provide objective advice, and identify potential solutions has been instrumental in driving sustainability initiatives. Reflecting on the public sector's role in sustainability, Mieka states, “The real transformation and sustainability of the country depend on policy and programs... they play a vital role in shaping behaviour change.”

“Public sector organizations face significant challenges in decarbonizing and aligning with sustainable development goals.”

Mieka assists these organizations in shaping informed policy decisions that balance sustainability with economic and social effects.

With a keen understanding of the urgency of sustainability, Mieka recognizes the challenges of political will and the need for stronger public support. She envisions a future where sustainability is prioritized over other constraints and priorities. Mieka emphasizes, “Sustainability is about creating a thriving society... it's about addressing economic inequalities and ensuring that everyone benefits from the transition."

“A united Canada has the power to do great things, and our national infrastructure will be the backbone of any such progress. But it must be grounded in inclusivity, resiliency, productivity, and sustainability to ensure it’s a future where all Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers can thrive.”

Several people inspire Mieka’s passion for sustainability. Kate Raworth, the author of Doughnut Economics, discusses balancing human needs with environmental sustainability. Mariana Mazzucato emphasizes the role of public funding in innovation and criticizes modern capitalism’s focus on value extraction over value creation. Catherine McKenna, former Canadian Minister of Environment, leads efforts in scaling practical climate and nature-based solutions.

Mieka Buckley-Pearson's journey exemplifies the power of empathy, collaboration, and impact in driving sustainability and effecting meaningful change. Her passion for sustainability combined with her acumen in business and policy positions her as a leader in the field, inspiring others to join the movement toward a more sustainable future.

“I envision a future prioritizing sustainability, helping public and private stakeholders develop solutions, and attracting investment and public support for essential transformations.”