New
Private Markets
Private Markets
Responsible Investment Forum: New York
4 - 5 March 2025,
Convene,117 West 46th Street, New York
North America’s #1 event for sustainability in private markets
The Responsible Investment Forum returns to New York in 2025! The 9th annual New York edition is the premier event to connect and learn from sustainable investment leaders.
Join over 450 sustainable finance practitioners and thought leaders including institutional investors, fund managers and industry experts. Previous attendees include Australian Super, HarbourVest Partners, NYCERS, OMERS, Permira, Wafra and many more.
Gain invaluable insights on the key themes and trends impacting the investments in the region and beyond including approaches to decarbonization and net-zero, addressing biodiversity, how sustainability drives returns, portfolio company perspectives, sustainable investing in North America and much more.
2025 Key Themes: Showing the alpha in sustainability
- How US and global managers and investors are approaching decarbonization and net-zero
- The next frontier: to what extent addressing biodiversity can drive returns?
- How are sustainability professionals and their teams evolving and growing their influence within funds?
- Why and how sustainability drives returns in private markets
- Portfolio company perspectives on how sustainability can help grow their business
- Global LP perspectives on sustainable investing in North America
What can you expect at the event?
Exceptional event content
Learn from 100+ industry experts and gain insight into decarbonization, biodiversity, sustainability returns, portfolio company perspectives, sustainable investing in North America and much more.
Unparalleled Networking
Connect with industry participants in all aspects of responsible investment. Network in-person at interactive working sessions, networking breaks, an evening drinks reception, and invite-only breakfasts.
Top attending investors
Join leading institutional & private investors looking to discuss current challenges and opportunities. Attendees from 2024 included Australian Super, Omers, PGIM, QIC, Swiss RE, United Church Funds and many more.
Interested in sponsoring Responsible Investment Forum?
Shake hands with prominent global institutional investors, fund managers, consultants, and highly recognised associations to build effective ESG strategies focused on value creation and ROI.
3 global opportunities to:
• Raise your visibility as a figurehead in a crowded ESG market and align your brand with PEI’s global and diverse event portfolio.
• Differentiate your brand and stand out from your competitors by collaborating as a thought leader across leading global ESG events in private equity, infrastructure, and private debt.
• Raise your reputation as an expert in ESG amongst existing and future clients.
• Get ahead of ESG and impact fund regulations and be the go to provider in industry developments setting you apart from your competitors.
Get in touch with us today and let us put your company at the forefront of the industry.
2025 speakers:
Apply for a complimentary institutional investor pass
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for eligible allocators and institutional investors to join the event.
To qualify for a complimentary pass, you must meet the eligibility criteria in representing a pension fund, insurance company, sovereign wealth fund, private wealth manager, foundation, endowment, family office or corporate investment division.
Apply for a pass and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.
Testimonials
This was probably the most useful room I have been in all year.
I made valuable connections with likeminded professionals who I can stay in touch with to continue to bounce ideas off one another to progress ESG efforts at my…
It enhanced my confidence with respect to investing within responsible investing guidelines and that I can achieve both profitable growth and responsible invest…
Venue and hotel
Connect with global investors focused on the future of the market
Position your business with an authoritative content-led event portfolio focused on ESG and responsible investing and be recognized as a go-to solution provider for senior private markets professionals and institutional investors.
- Shake hands with prominent fund managers, global institutional investors, and highly recognised associations to discuss your effective ESG strategies focused on value creation and ROI.
- Stand tall from your competitors by showcasing your company’s ESG and sustainability solutions and your industry expertise with thought leadership opportunities on the event program.
- Discover brand opportunities to position your services and solutions to a global ESG community.
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities please fill in the enquiry form. Contact Tyler Mitchell at tyler.m@pei.group or call +1 646 795 3279
2025 Sponsors
The Responsible Investment Forum: New York will take place on March 4-5, 2025.
For more information on the agenda, please contact Charles Gould.
charles.g@pei.group | +44 (0)203 879 3893
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday 4th
Workshop
07:45 - 08:30
Value Creation Workshop in Association with the PRI
Aditya Vikram
Aditya Vikram, Head of Private Equity, UNPRI
Welcoming remarks
08:30 - 08:40
Introduction from PEI and PRI
Aditya Vikram
Aditya Vikram, Head of Private Equity, UNPRI
08:40 - 09:10
Keynote Interview: the future of sustainability in a rapidly changing political and economic environment in North America and globally
Plenary sessions
09:10 - 09:45
How are sustainability professionals and their teams evolving and growing their influence within funds?
Avantika Saisekar,
Eimear Palmer
- Considering different team structures: where and how can sustainability heads be most effective?
- Dealing with the increased demands from regulators and LPs around sustainability: How can mid-market managers keep up?
- What new roles are being created within sustainability teams and where are external experts being brought in?
- Successful stories of those with influence throughout the deal cycle
Facilitators:
Avantika Saisekar, Managing Director of Sustainable Investing, Wafra Inc
Eimear Palmer, Partner, Global Head of Sustainability, Pantheon
09:45 - 10:20
How US & global managers & investors are approaching decarbonization and net-zero
Marc Lino
- Implementing best practices in portfolio decarbonization: to what extent can decarbonization be part of wider value creation plans?
- Balancing short-term returns with long-term net-zero goals
- Harmonizing Industry Standards and Initiatives including NZIF, PMDR & icI
- How some investors are requiring a net-zero plan from GPs and is this cross-portfolio at or at the fund
Moderator:
Marc Lino, Senior Partner, Global ESG Leader for Private Equity, Bain & Company
Panelist:
Michael Dymond, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Equity, APG Asset Management
Serge Younes, Partner, Global Head of Sustainability, Investindustrial
Natasha Buckley, Principal, ESG, HarbourVest Partners
Marc Lino
Senior Partner, Global Sustainability Leader for Private Equity and Financial Investors, Bain & Company
Read bio
10:20 - 11:00
EDCI Update: what’s next and how is the initiative evolving?
- Outlining some of the new metrics to the EDI, specifically the “Net Zero Commitment” metric
- How incorporating EDCI is streamlining compliance efforts
- Three years in: how are GPs and LPs making use of the data collected to help in value creation?
- What would managers and investors like to see next?
Break
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee & networking
Plenary sessions
11:30 - 12:20
The next frontier: to what extent can addressing biodiversity drive returns?
Lis Castillo Nelis,
Jovana Stopic,
Will Relle
- How to assess biodiversity risks and opportunities in the diligence process
- Putting a financial value on biodiversity work: is this realistic?
- The interaction between climate and nature: to what extent can biodiversity be used to reduce climate risk?
- Examples from funds who are using biodiversity to drive value
Moderator:
Lis Nelis, PhD, Principal, Ecology and Biodiversity, Ramboll
Panelists:
Jovana Stopic, ESG Director, IK Partners
Will Relle, Director, ESG, HarbourVest
12:10 - 12:45
Why and how sustainability drives value in private markets
Aditya Vikram
- Why so many GPs still struggle to approach sustainability as a strategic value driver: how to overcome this
- How are some funds spotting value creation opportunities during due diligence?
- The importance of adding sustainability to a value creation playbook
- Case studies from those who have increased returns for their funds
Senior representative, ERM
Aditya Vikram, Head of Private Equity, UNPRI
12:45 - 13:15
Portfolio company perspectives on how sustainability can help grow their business
- How are portfolio companies measuring the ROI of sustainability efforts and translating these metrics into tangible business outcomes?
- How do portcos navigate potential trade-offs between short-term financial performance and long-term sustainable growth?
- What are the success stories or case studies where sustainability has directly contributed to business expansion and market penetration?
- Learnings from positive working relationships with their GP owners
Lunch
13:15 - 14:15
Lunch
Track A: Impact & Transition
14:15 - 15:00
The state of the impact & transition market in North America
- Is there a trade-off between delivering impact and returns?
- How significant has the ESG backlash been on the impact market?
- How are corporates’ net-zero efforts driving opportunities in the impact market in terms of exits and allocations?
Vikram Agrawal, Co-Founder & CEO, American Resilience Partners
14:55 - 15:35
LP panel: asset owner perspectives on allocating to impact funds
Roraj Pradhananga,
Charles Buck
- Is the collective pool of impact-orientated capital likely to grow in the coming 5 years in North America?
- What investment themes resonate most with asset owners?
- How has the sentiment for investments in climate-oriented strategies evolved?
Panelists:
Roraj Pradhananga, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Veris Wealth Partners
Charles Buck, President and CEO, United Church Funds
15:35 - 16:15
Impact, climate & transition investing: fundraising in a competitive space
Christina Anzel,
Fabio Ranghino
- Standing out in a crowded market: strategies to differentiate your fund amidst an influx of new entrants
- Demonstrating tangible value creation: effectively showcasing the real-world impact and financial returns of portfolio companies to investors.
- Strategic Focus: Weighing the benefits and trade-offs of adopting a single-focus versus a broader impact strategy
Panelists:
Christina Anzel, Director, Client Team, Generation Investment Management
Fabio Ranghino, Partner, Head of Sustainability & Strategy, Ambienta
Track B: Value Creation
14:15 - 14:55
Driving and demonstrating returns from sustainable value creation in investments
Deike Diers,
Tensie Whelan,
Dalia Rahman
- To what extent are we at a stage where funds can tell a story of value added?
- Emphasizing the importance of engaging investment teams in sustainability throughout the investment
- Ensuring sustainability initiatives are well-resourced and supported at a senior level within portfolio companies
Moderator:
Deike Diers, Partner, Sustainability for Private Equity and Financial Investors, Bain & Company
Panelist:
Tensie Whelan, Distinguished Professor of Practice, NYU Stern School of Business
Dalia Rahman, Head of Climate & Portfolio Sustainability, Apax
14:55 - 15:35
Sustainability during exits in a tough environment
Lexi Wachter,
Ashim Paun
- To what extent are sustainability teams involved in exit preparation?
- Preparing for exit: how can sustainability teams make a company more attractive to a future buyer?
- ESG considerations when exiting via IPO vs. a sale to another PE buyer
Senior representative, ERM
Lexi Wachter, Vice President, Sustainability, General Atlantic
Jeannie Cho, Director, Sustainable Investing, KKR
Ashim Paun, Head of Sustainable Investing, Triton Partners
15:35 - 16:15
Human Capital Management as a value lever PE
Marianne Voss
- Why human capital is now the number one lever in value creation
- Defining company culture and aligning it with sustainability and value creation plans
- To what extent should sustainability heads work with in-house human capital operating partners
Marianne Voss, Managing Director & Chief ESG Officer, Webster Equity Partners
Track C: Regulation & Frameworks (Chatham House Rules)
14:15 - 14:55
SEC and local regulations in the U.S.
- Is there a value creation opportunity in latest SEC regulation?
- Who is responsible for implementation? How much are ESG teams working with compliance professionals?
- Looking specifically at new laws in California and elsewhere
14:55 - 15:35
SFDR and U.S. managers: tips for global funds
Christina Bortz,
Jyoti Aggarwala
- To what extent are EU investors making demands of U.S. funds due to SFDR?
- Outlining some of the possible costs and challenges associated with this increased compliance burden
- Is there an opportunity to gain a competitive edge by meeting requirements?
Panelists:
Christina Bortz, Deputy General Counsel, ESG, TPG Angelo Gordon
Jyoti Aggarwala, Principal, Private Capital Raise
15:35 - 16:15
Interoperability of different sustainability initiatives and frameworks
Chris Brannan,
Marion Hayes,
Brett Juliano
- To what extent are fragmented reporting standards impacting sustainability professionals?
- Challenges and opportunities in scaling ESG Initiatives across global portfolios
- Leveraging technology to bridge gaps in sustainability reporting
Panelists:
Chris Brannan, Assistant General Counsel & ESG Officer, Pritzker Private Capital
Marion Hayes, Senior Managing Director, Head of Responsible Investing, Arsenal Capital Partners
Brett Juliano, Head of Sustainability, THL Partners
Track D: Circular Economy/Private Debt/Governance
14:15 - 14:55
Investing in the circular economy
Imani Hamilton,
Benjamin Hogan
- Defining the circular economy and where are investment opportunities?
- How big is the opportunity from these investments?
- How does circularity drive decarbonization and achieve net zero objectives?
Moderator:
Imani Hamilton, Circular Economy + Resource Management Practice Lead, Americas, Ramboll
Panelist:
Benjamin Hogan, Director / Private Equity, Blue Earth Capital
14:55 - 15:35
Navigating voluntary carbon markets
- Outlining the potential of voluntary carbon markets
- What role are and should carbon credits play in the returns of natural capital funds?
- What is needed to attract more investors into this growing and important space
15:35 - 16:15
How sustainability is continuing to evolve in private debt
Brittany Agostino,
Michael Kashani,
Jeffrey Cohen
- To what extent are lenders and sponsors engaging on sustainability efforts?
- What tools can private credit investors use to understand where their portfolio stands in terms of decarbonisation status and climate risk?
- Sustainability linked loans: The importance of setting borrowers useful and sector-specific KPIs
Panelists:
Brittany Agostino, Principal, ESG – US Credit Lead, Ares Management
Michael Kashani, Managing Director, Apollo Global Management
Jeffrey Cohen, Managing Director, Head of ESG & Sustainability, Oak Hill Advisors
Break
16:15 - 16:45
Coffee & networking
Working group series A: This working session will be open to all - interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators. Service providers should not join sessions led by their direct competitors but can join other sessions.
16:45 - 17:45
Working Group A: Biodiversity
16:45 - 17:45
Working group B: Value Creation Masterclass
16:45 - 17:45
Working group C:Turning regulation into a value creation opportunity
16:45 - 17:45
Working group D: Making use of ESG Data
16:45 - 17:45
Working group E: Working with portfolio companies
16:45 - 17:45
Working group F: Decarbonization
End of day one
17:45 - 19:00
Close of conference followed by cocktails
Agenda
Day 2 - Wednesday 5th
Breakfast
08:00 - 09:00
Invitation only LP and GP Breakfast briefings
Opening Remarks
09:05 - 09:10
Opening remarks
Plenary
09:10 - 09:50
AI in private markets: navigating ethical challenges and unlocking opportunities
- Balancing the energy demands of AI with net-zero targets and sustainable outcomes
- Leveraging AI to identify new investment opportunities and enhance risk management
- Real-world applications: how leading private market funds are utilizing AI in sustainability efforts
- What’s next for AI-driven insights in sustainability functions and long-term strategy development
09:10 - 09:50
Why human rights risks in the supply chain is rising up the agenda of US PE funds
- Identifying and mitigating human rights risks in portfolio companies’ supply chains
- Navigating challenges in companies with global supply chains
- Learn from experienced funds on conducting effective human rights assessments of their portfolios
09:50 - 10:30
Managing increasing climate transition litigation risk
Ulysses Smith ,
Shannon Selden
- What sectors are being targeted and who is bringing the cases?
- Which if any of these claims are succeeding, which aren’t, and why? What are the defences?
- How can the PE community work to mitigate these risks, and how else is the PE community impacted by these developments?
- How is the landscape shifting following U.S. elections; how does the anti-ESG movement impact these developments?
Panelists:
Ulysses Smith, ESG Senior Advisor, Debevoise & Plimpton
Shannon Selden, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton
09:50 - 10:30
Defining governance for private markets
- What does good governance look like, and how can diversified funds standardize across varied company sizes and types?
- Where should governance responsibilities sit—under legal/compliance or sustainability?
- Examples of funds leading the way in governance best practices
Break
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee & networking
Plenary sessions
11:00 - 11:30
Fireside chat: APG’s evolving approach to climate and impact
Keren Raz
- What transition plans are expected from GPs?
- Should net-zero goals be set at the fund level or across the portfolio?
- How do APG’s sustainable and deal teams collaborate?
- What is APG looking for in the sustainability teams of its partner funds
- How do we engage with the broader industry to advance market practice?
- What is the role of ESG and impact in our investment process, and how has it evolved?
Keren Raz, Senior Responsible Investments Manager – Global Private Equity, APG Asset Management
Michael Dymond, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Equity, APG Asset Management
11:30 - 12:15
Global LP perspectives on sustainable investing in North America
Karin Bouwmeester
- To what extent are allocations being impacted by sustainability?
- What impact is SFDR having on relationships between European investors and U.S. based managers?
- Which U.S. sustainable investment strategies are most attractive to LPs?
- What are some best practices for U.S. funds seeking to attract investment from European and Asian LPs?
Panelists:
Ryan Malloy, Research Analyst, Sustainable Investing, Fiduciary Trust International
Karin Bouwmeester, ESG Lead Private Equity, PGGM Investments
12:15 - 12:45
ESG Controversies: A Comparative Study of Public vs Private Sectors
12:45 - 13:15
ESG Value Creation Case Study Sessions
3 short presentations on how ESG initiatives or technologies can be used to drive returns within PE investments within different areas of sustainability. The audience will have the chance to quiz the presenters after their presentations. During the lunchbreak presenters will be available for further questions over informal roundtables
Lunch
13:15 - 14:00
Lunch
Working group series B
14:00 - 14:30
Working Group A:
Close of conference
15:00 - 15:00
Close of conference
Pre-Event Resources
Network with the North American responsible investment industry
Join 450+ sustainable investment professionals on March 4-5 in New York, for two days of learning, networking and collaboration. Connect with institutional investors, fund managers, specialist responsible investment professionals, impact managers, and the wider ESG community.
The Responsible Investment Forum is a must-attend event for those with an interest in ESG in private markets.
Two days of networking and connections
Meet leading global investors
Network with active investors in responsible investment and advance your sustainability strategy during a program designed to foster connectivity and learning.
Build meaningful connections
Across a range of interactive workshops, drinks receptions, invite-only breakfasts, working groups and more.
Connect ahead of the event
Take advantage of the event app to find out who you can meet and book in key meetings in advance to ensure you get the most out of your time.
Testimonials from attendees
I really enjoyed the conference. It was very encouraging to hear how GP’s are integrating ESG not only in their portfolios but in their firms as well. It was gr…
Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. The Responsible Investment Forum is a powerful global p…
It’s great to see PEI bring together a diverse and growing group of investment professionals interested and active in responsible and sustainable investment. Th…
I really enjoyed the conference. It was very encouraging to hear how GP’s are integrating ESG not only in their portfolios but in their firms as well. It was great to learn about their best practices as well as lessons learned. The breakout sessions and panels were very informative. The conference provided good networking opportunities as well
Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. The Responsible Investment Forum is a powerful global platform for like minded ESG investors to transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all
It’s great to see PEI bring together a diverse and growing group of investment professionals interested and active in responsible and sustainable investment. The format of 1:1 interactions, break out and plenary sessions was useful to share general market perspectives and engage in detail to share experience and deepen understanding of the many and varied ESG issues facing our industry today
Institutional Investors at the Responsible Investment Forum: New York 2025
The Responsible Investment Forum: New York provides a leading platform for leading institutional investors and allocators investing in impact in private markets to gather.
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for Responsible Investment investors and institutional investors to the event. Check out the benefits of joining the conference, who among your peers attends and find out how to apply for a complimentary pass for you or your team below.
Network with your peers
Enrich your network, build lasting relationships and exchange valuable perspectives with your investor peers.
Meet with leading funds
Connect and arrange meetings with key fund managers in the market looking to secure new fundraising to advance their ESG portfolio and strategies.
Explore opportunities
Hear from an expert speaker line-up to discover new investment opportunities as we discuss the key themes and trends impacting sustainable investments.
Apply for a complimentary Institutional Investor pass
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for Responsible Investment Forum LPs, allocators and institutional investors to join the event.
Complimentary investor passes are limited to foundations, endowments, trusts, insurance companies, single family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds who are actively making fund commitments and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/consulting services.
Apply for a pass and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.
For agenda information or to enquire about speaking opportunities, please contact Charles Gould at charles.g@pei.group
2025 Speakers:
