RI Canada 2024
Networking
Building momentum for a Just Transition in Canada
RI Canada 2024, the region’s leading sustainable investment conference, will bring together 300+ asset owners, investment managers, banks, financial regulators, and data providers from across Canada who are looking to play a meaningful role in the journey to a sustainable, net-zero economy.
Canada’s premier RI event is set to be even bigger than ever – providing a unique opportunity to flesh out new ideas with fellow senior industry peers from across the region, and share cutting-edge sustainability thinking to navigate the rapidly evolving Canadian responsible investment landscape.
In addition, join 100+ industry-leading asset owners to gain insight into their ESG allocation strategies and preferences for 2024 and beyond.
Key sessions in 2024
Fireside chat: The evolution of the CSO
Join Alanna Boyd (top left), Chief Sustainability Officer, Sun Life; Michael Kelly (top right), Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer, OMERS; Bertrand Millot (bottom left), Head of Sustainability, CDPQ; and Moderator Gina Gambetta (bottom right), Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor for a compelling fireside chat into the evolving role of the CSO in today’s responsible investment landscape.
Green horizons: Navigating transition finance in Canada
Join Stephanie Chow-Ashton (top left), Managing Director, Transition Finance, GFANZ; Jennifer Livingstone (top right), Vice President, Climate Strategy, RBC; Barbara Zvan (bottom left), President and CEO, University Pension Plan; and Moderator Bruce B. Simpson (bottom right), Partner, AgeTech Capital to discuss transition finance and its essential role in Canada’s economy.
The future of ESG regulation and Canada’s standards development
Join David Andrews (top left), Senior Legal Counsel – Investments, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan; Scott Morrison (top right), Partner, Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, PwC; Jo-Anne Matear (bottom left), Head of Sustainable Finance, Ontario Securities Commission; and Alyson Slater (bottom right), Head of Sustainable Investment Canada, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management to discuss how Canadian regulators are aligning ESG taxonomy with international standards and balancing requirements with global competitiveness.
What’s new in 2024?
- Navigating transition finance in Canada: What comes next?
- Incorporating Indigenous perspectives into investment strategies
- Sustainable Finance and Green Investment Bonds
- Regulatory and Policy Developments: How are investors preparing
- Biodiversity and nature: Navigating data collection and stakeholder expectations
- Investing in net-zero: Aligning investments with the 1.5°C pathway
- Social investment: Risks, challenges, and opportunities
- Effective engagement: Stewardship and escalation strategies
- Sustainability standards and disclosure frameworks
Snapshot of attendees:
Meet responsible investment leaders including:
Hear direct from the industry:
Why should you attend?
Asset Managers
Hear from industry leaders on the latest ESG investing strategies and sustainability efforts within Canada’s responsible investment landscape, including how investors are preparing for regulatory and policy developments, sustainability standards and disclosure frameworks, and the essential role of transition finance in Canada’s economy.
Meet asset owners looking to increase their exposure to sustainable investments and discover their allocation strategies and preferences.
Asset Owners
Connect with fellow socially responsible investors from across the industry at the region’s #1 ESG event focused on topics at the forefront of Canada’s evolving responsible investment landscape. Dive into the benefits of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into impact investment strategies, investing in net-zero, the risks, challenges, and opportunities within social investments, and much more.
Service Providers
Gain valuable insights into the future of ESG regulation and Canada’s standards development, preparing for standardized sustainability disclosure requirements, and more. Interested in showcasing your solutions in front of the most influential names in Canada’s sustainable investing space? Access the sponsorship prospectus and fill in the enquiry form to find out more about partnership opportunities at the event.
Apply for a complimentary asset owner pass
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.
Please register your interest and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm your eligibility.
Embed your brand within the institutional investor industry
Responsible Investor Canada provides an opportunity to make connections with an exclusive audience of ESG and sustainable finance decision makers. Share your solutions, collaborate and network with senior-level executives through bespoke sponsorship packages to meet your 2024 business goals.
Our leading advisory board includes:
Download the 2024 agenda
For more information on the agenda or speaking opportunities, please contact Finlay Eglinton.
Finlay.eglinton@pei.group | +44 (0)203 879 3893
Agenda
Responsible Investor Canada 2024 - Day One - Wednesday 11th
Networking
08:00 - 09:00
Registration and refreshments
Plenary
08:55 - 09:00
Opening remarks
Gina Gambetta
Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
1 Speaker
09:00 - 09:50
Plenary 1: Green horizons: Navigating transition finance in Canada
Bruce Simpson,
Stephanie Chow-Ashton,
Julie Segal,
Barbara Zvan
- Defining transition finance and its essential role in Canada’s economy
- How can transition finance be deployed credibly?
- How do Canada’s strategies and investments in the energy transition compare with those of the USA and Europe?
- Is transition finance compatible with net zero commitments?
Moderator: Bruce B. Simpson, GP, Agetech Capital
Barbara Zvan, President and CEO, University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP)
Stephanie Chow-Ashton, Managing Director, Transition Finance, GFANZ
Julie Segal, Senior Program Manager Climate Finance, Environmental Defence
4 Speakers
09:50 - 10:05
Keynote: Preparing for standardized sustainability disclosure requirements in Canada
Gina Gambetta,
Bruce Marchand
The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) released the first draft Canadian Sustainability Disclosure Standards (CSDSs) for public comment earlier this year, with the goal of bringing the global baseline established by the International Sustainability Standards Board to Canada. Since the public consultation closed in June, the Board has assessed and deliberated the feedback they heard from Canadians. Join CSSB Chair Charles-Antoine St-Jean for a discussion on feedback the CSSB received, what the CSSB has been talking about since the public consultation closed, and what investors should be prepared for when the final standards are released.
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Bruce Marchand, Interim Chair, Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB)
2 Speakers
10:05 - 10:55
Plenary 2: The future of ESG regulation and Canada's standards development
Catherine McCall,
David Andrews,
Jo-Anne Matear,
Scott Morrison,
Alyson Slater
- Canada’s taxonomy progress
- CSSB: What are the next steps?
- How are international ESG standards, such as the CSRD and the SEC’s proposed climate disclosure rules, influencing Canadian ESG reporting and regulation?
- How can Canadian regulators balance the need for robust ESG standards whilst maintaining global competitiveness?
- How does the Canadian regulatory landscape currently accommodate the concept of double materiality in sustainability reporting?
Moderator: Catherine McCall, CEO, Canadian Coalition for Good Governance
David Andrews, Senior Legal Counsel, Investments, HOOPP
Scott Morrison, Partner, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance, PWC
Jo-Anne Matear, Head of Sustainable Finance, Ontario Securities Commission
Alyson Slater, Head of Sustainable Investment Canada, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management
Alyson Slater
Head of Sustainable Investment Canada, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management
Read bio
5 Speakers
Networking
10:55 - 11:25
Networking break
Plenary
11:25 - 11:55
Fireside chat: The evolution of the CSO
Gina Gambetta,
Bertrand Millot,
Michael Kelly,
Alanna Boyd
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Bertrand Millot, Head of Sustainability, CDPQ
Michael Kelly, Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer, OMERS
Alanna Boyd, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sun Life
4 Speakers
11:55 - 12:40
Plenary 3: Climate-biodiversity nexus: Closing the gap with sustainable investment
Gina Gambetta,
Lovey Sidhu,
James Snider,
Joy Williams
- How is the TNFD framework being integrated in Canada? What can investors learn from early adopters?
- How to leverage data for a nature positive investment?
- How does nature and biodiversity support net-zero? What are the challenges and opportunities within the context of transition finance?
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Joy Williams, Executive Director, GFANZ
James Snider, VP, Science, Knowledge and Innovation, WWF Canada
Lovey Sidhu, Sustainable Investment Specialist, Mercer
Joy Williams
Executive Director, Financial Institution Net-zero Transition Plans, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)
Read bio
4 Speakers
12:40 - 13:30
Plenary 4: Driving the next phase of the energy transition
Susan McGeachie,
Dr Maryam Golnaraghi,
Amy Hepburn,
Sandra Odendahl,
Kimberly Randle,
Lindsey Walton
- How is the TNFD framework being integrated in Canada? What can investors learn from early adopters?
- How to leverage data for a nature positive investment?
- How does nature and biodiversity support net-zero? What are the challenges and opportunities within the context of transition finance?
Moderator: Susan McGeachie, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Global Climate Finance Accelerator
Amy Hepburn, CEO, Investor Leadership Network (ILN)
Sandra Odendahl, Senior Vice President & Head of Sustainability, Diversity & Social Impact, BDC
Maryam Golnaraghi, Director, Climate Change & Environment, The Geneva Association
Lindsey Walton, Director of Americas, PRI
Kimberly Randle, CEO and Founder, FairSupply
Sandra Odendahl
Senior Vice President and Head, Sustainability, Diversity & Social Impact, BDC
Read bio
6 Speakers
Networking
13:30 - 14:20
Lunch
Stream A
14:20 - 15:05
A1: Decarbonization and credit markets
Siddharth Samarth,
Paula Luff,
Olaf Weber,
Daniel Simunac
- How can investors ensure investments contribute to Canada’s decarbonization goals?
- How can credit markets be leveraged more effectively to finance decarbonization?
- What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in scaling up green financing in Canada? How do these compare globally?
- Canada’s provincial carbon markets – how can we ensure their integrity and effectiveness?
- What role do private credit markets play in ESG investing and sustainable finance?
Moderator: Siddharth Samarth, Managing Director & Head, Sustainable Finance, CIBC Capital Markets
Paula Luff, Director of Sustainability Research and Engagement, DSC Meridian Capital
Olaf Weber, Professor, CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance, Schulich School of Business
Daniel Simunac, Co-CEO, Stonebridge Financial
4 Speakers
15:05 - 15:20
Networking break
15:20 - 16:05
A2: Greenwashing vs greenhushing: Assessing the impact of Bill C-59
Alison Joutsi,
Tyson Dyck,
Emily Partington,
Meghan Harris-Ngae
- How does Bill C-59 fit into Canada’s anti-greenwashing regulatory landscape?
- What are the implications of the bill for Canadian corporates and investors?
- Is there a risk that Canadian corporates will embrace greenhushing?
- Are Canadian policymakers doing enough to combat greenwashing in the financial sector?
Moderator: Alison Joutsi, Principal, ESG Global Advisors
Tyson Dyck, Partner, Torys LLP
Emily Partington, Managing Director, Quinn+Partners
Meghan Harris-Ngae, Partner, National Sustainability Strategy & Transformation, PwC Canada
Meghan Harris-Ngae
Partner, National Sustainability Strategy & Transformation Leader, PwC Canada
Read bio
4 Speakers
16:05 - 16:15
Short turnaround break
16:15 - 17:00
A3: ESG Data: Enhancing the investment strategy
Audrie Chad,
Will Relle,
Olaf Weber,
Mandira Reddy
- How is ESG data incorporated into responsible investment decisions? How does this differ in private vs public markets?
- Quantity vs quality: what steps are being used to improve data verification and assurance processes?
- How has ESG data in private markets evolved with the emergence of the ESG Data Convergence Initiative?
- How are investors needs changing on ESG data?
- Global ESG reporting and disclosure and what this means for data users and providers
Moderator: Audrie Chad, Director of Research, Global Risk Institute
Will Relle, Director, ESG, Harbourvest
Olaf Weber, Professor, CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance, Schulich School of Business
Mandira Reddy, Director, Capricorn Investment Group
4 Speakers
Stream B
14:20 - 15:05
B1: Social responsibility: Risks, challenges, and opportunities
Bob Dannhauser,
Ryan Clancy,
Lila Han,
Andrea Nemtin,
Manon Salomez
- What are the social risks that investors should be thinking about?
- How can investors help alleviate social issues such as DEI, housing crisis, and aging demographics?
- How are investors measuring and reporting on the social impact of their investments?
- How can sustainable investments positively contribute to social goals?
- What are the main challenges of integrating social responsibility into investment decisions?
Moderator: Bob Dannhauser, Senior Advisor, Shift
Andrea Nemtin, Chief Executive Officer, SI Canada
Lila Han, Director, Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Ryan Clancy, Head of Impact Management, Rally Assets
Manon Salomez, ESG Analyst, Mirova
5 Speakers
15:05 - 15:20
Networking break
15:20 - 16:05
B2: Investing in nature: Opportunities in biodiversity
Gina Gambetta,
Maya Saryyeva,
Paige Olmsted,
Geneviève Grenon,
Jeff Briggs
- What innovative financial instruments and models have shown promise in funding biodiversity conservation efforts? How can these models be scaled or adapted for different contexts?
- What are the primary risks and challenges investors face when integrating biodiversity considerations into their portfolios, and how can these be mitigated?
- What are the emerging trends in nature finance, and how should investors position themselves to take advantage of these?
- How can investors adopt a nature-positive strategy in the portfolio?
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Maya Saryyeva, Interim Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Finance
Paige Olmsted, Conservation Finance Specialist, Nature Investment Hub
Geneviève Grenon, Responsible Investment Senior Advisor, Biodiversity Expert, Desjardins Global Asset Management Jeff Briggs, Managing Director, North America, New Forests
Paige Olmsted
Conservation Finance Specialist, Nature Investment Hub and Smart Prosperity Institute
Read bio
Geneviève Grenon
Responsible Investment Senior Advisor, Biodiversity Expert, Desjardins Global Asset Management
Read bio
5 Speakers
16:05 - 16:15
Short turnaround break
16:15 - 17:00
B3: Proxy voting: Making your votes count
Thomas Estinès,
Valerie Cecchini,
Sarah Couturier-Tanoh,
Ajit Singh
- Vote pre-disclosure: What are the challenges with gaining traction behind certain votes?
- What elements make a shareholder proposal more likely to be supported by a majority of investors?
- Shareholder proposal fatigue
- Workers’ rights proposals and their impact
- Key takeaways from 2024 proxy season
Moderator: Thomas Estinès, Co-CEO, GIR
Sarah Couturier-Tanoh, Director of Shareholder Advocacy, SHARE
Valérie Cecchini, Managing Partner, BOREALIS Global Asset Management
Ajit Singh, Senior Associate – ESG & Proxy Voting, BMO Global Asset Management
4 Speakers
17:00 - 18:00
Networking drinks
18:00 - 18:00
End of day one
Agenda
Responsible Investor Canada 2024 - Day Two - Thursday 12th
Networking
08:00 - 09:00
Registration and refreshments
Plenary
08:30 - 09:30
Interactive roundtable discussions
Susan McGeachie,
Sean Hackett,
Wanfeng Zhou,
Colin Saravanamuttoo,
Audrie Chad,
Thomas Estinès
- Investment opportunities in industrial decarbonization
Susan McGeachie, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Global Climate Finance Accelerator
- Mitigating risk through methane management
Sean Hackett, Senior Manager, Energy Transition, EDF
- Transition Today: Climate-related decisions in asset allocation and investment
Wanfeng Zhou, Sr Sustainable Investment Consultant, Mercer
- The cow in the room: addressing industrial animal agriculture is a necessity for climate mitigation
Colin Saravanamuttoo, Executive Director and Canada Country Director, World Animal Protection Canada
- Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage in Sustainable Finance
Audrie Chad, Director of Research, Global Risk Institute
- Proxy fights: Decoding the risks and rewards for investors
Thomas Estinès, Co-CEO, Groupe Investissement Responsable
Colin Saravanamuttoo
Executive Director and Canada Country Director-World Animal Protection, World Animal Protection
Read bio
6 Speakers
09:30 - 09:40
Short networking break
Stream A
09:40 - 10:25
A4: What makes a credible transition plan?
Katherine Short,
Youssef Aroub,
Jonathan Laski,
Dana Krechowicz ,
Andreas Ross
- Transition funds: What are the challenges and opportunities in financing transition plans?
- Assessing transition plans and tracking progress
- The role of carbon pricing and offsets in transition plans
- Integrating nature into net-zero transition plans
- How can cross-sector collaboration enhance the effectiveness of transition plans?
Moderator: Katherine Short, Associate Director, Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Youssef Aroub, Senior Principal, Sustainable Investing, IMCO
Jonathan Laski, Director, Sustainable Finance, PWC
Dana Krechowicz, Director, Sustainable Finance, Global Risk Institute
Andreas Ross, Head of New Product Research and Development, ZAIS Group
Youssef Aroub
Senior Principal - Sustainable Investing, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Read bio
5 Speakers
10:25 - 10:45
Networking break
10:45 - 11:30
A5: Navigating climate risk and materiality in Canada
Bruce B. Simpson,
George Fan,
Alison Schneider,
Ryan Ness
- What are the best strategies to assess and manage climate risks in the portfolio?
- How should investors approach asset valuation and risk assessment differently to protect their investments?
- Physical risk vs transition risk
Moderator: Bruce Simpson, GP, Agetech Capital
Alison Schneider, Canadian Representative, CERES and Principal, Encompass ESG Corp.
Ryan Ness, Director, Adaptation, Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
George Fan, VP, National Nat Cat & Climate Risk Lead, Marsh Advisory, Marsh Canada Limited
4 Speakers
11:30 - 11:35
Short turnaround break
11:35 - 12:20
A6: ESG bonds: Diversifying beyond green
Susan McGeachie,
Guillaume Bellavance,
Magali Gable,
Ian Howard,
Melissa Menzies
- Green Bond Framework – Are green bonds supporting the transition? How can Canada optimize the use of green bonds and loans to fund its transition to a sustainable economy?
- What are the potential risks and rewards associated with sustainable bonds that invest in nuclear power?
- How is the Canadian market addressing the risk of ‘greenwashing’ in bond issuances, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure authenticity?
- Social bonds and a just transition: How are Indigenous communities and projects being integrated into the sustainable bond market in Canada?
Moderator: Susan McGeachie, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Global Climate Finance Accelerator
Melissa Menzies, Director, Sustainable Finance, Scotiabank
Magali Gable, Sustainable Finance, BMO Financial Group
Ian Howard, Director of Climate Services, Climate Bonds Initiative
Guillaume Bellavanca, Assistant Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income, Fiera Capital
5 Speakers
Stream B
09:40 - 10:25
B4: Sustainable agriculture and food systems
Gina Gambetta,
Colin Saravanamuttoo,
Toby Heaps
- Exploring the investment potential and impact strategies
- In what ways can agricultural practices contribute to the energy transition beyond just adopting renewable energy sources?
- Emissions Disclosure – How can we further reduce emissions in food supply chains?
- Addressing the material risks of intensive animal agriculture en route to net-zero
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Colin Saravanamuttoo, Executive Director and Canada Country Director, World Animal Protection Canada
Toby Heaps, Co-founder, Corporate Knights
Colin Saravanamuttoo
Executive Director and Canada Country Director-World Animal Protection, World Animal Protection
Read bio
3 Speakers
10:25 - 10:45
Networking break
10:45 - 11:30
B5: Benefits of Indigenous investments
Karen Bird,
Fred Di Blasio,
Karen Restoule,
Jody Anderson
- Understanding landscape of opportunities
- What are the associated risks? And how can we mitigate these
- Engaging with First Nations companies – How can investors build a better relationship
- Indigenous Investments = social impact
Moderated by Karen Restoule, Vice President, Crestview Strategy
Karen Bird, Chief Capital Officer, Indigenous Impact Investment Circle
Fred Di Blasio, CEO and Managing Partner, Longhouse Capital Partners
Jody Anderson, Strategy & Partnerships Advisor, First Nation Finance Authority
4 Speakers
11:30 - 11:35
Short turnaround break
11:35 - 12:20
B6: Human rights and the supply chain
Bob Dannhauser,
Juana Lee,
Michelle Albanese,
Kimberly Randle,
Jillian Clapham
- Managing supply chain risk: the challenges for investors
- Bill S-211: what are the biggest challenges in achieving compliance?
- How can companies go beyond mere compliance to actively promote human rights?
- What role does data play in managing human rights risks in supply chains, and how can investors and companies improve their data collection and analysis practices?
Bob Dannhauser, Senior Advisor, Shift
Juana Lee, Associate Director, Corporate Engagement, SHARE
Michelle Albanese, Director, ESG and Responsible Supply Chain, Upswing Solutions
Kimberly Randle, CEO and Founder, FairSupply
Jillian Clapham, Director ESG Strategy & Transformation, PwC
Juana Lee
Associate Director - Corporate Engagement, Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE)
Read bio
5 Speakers
Networking
12:20 - 13:05
Lunch
Plenary
13:05 - 13:20
Keynote: Globally comparable sustainability information
Gina Gambetta,
Jingdong Hua
The ISSB standards are designed to provide a global baseline that covers the information that is material to investors globally. With IOSCO’s endorsement and more than 20 jurisdictions progressing towards the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards, more than ever, the global investors are at the closest to comparable, consistent and reliable sustainability-related information.
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Jingdong Hua, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Vice-Chair, IFRS Foundation
Jingdong Hua
International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Vice-Chair, IFRS Foundation
Read bio
2 Speakers
13:20 - 14:10
Plenary 5: Effective engagement strategies for sustainable investing in Canada
Gina Gambetta,
Polina Sims,
Matt Price,
Pratima Divgi,
Delaney Greig
- Active ownership vs passive ownership
- How do you achieve impact in engagement and measure success?
- Brown stripping vs engagement: How are Canadian investors engaging with the oil and gas sector?
- How has the landscape of Canadian engagement evolved in recent years?
Moderator: Gina Gambetta, Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Polina Sims, Managing Director, Head of Investment Strategy, Sustainability, and Asset Management, IMCO
Matt Price, Executive Director, Investors for Paris Compliance
Pratima Divgi, Head of Capital Markets, North America, CDP
Delaney Greig, Director, Investor Stewardship, University Pension Plan Ontario
Polina Sims
Managing Director - Head of Investment Strategy, Sustainability and Asset Management, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Read bio
5 Speakers
14:10 - 15:00
Plenary 6: Investing in zero: Finances and strategies of climate change
Adam Scott,
Bonnie Foley-Wong,
Katharine Preston,
Alex Side
- Scale of investment necessary to reach 1.5C: What are the challenges and opportunities for investors?
- How are asset owners approaching provincial decarbonization efforts in their portfolios?
- What is keeping investment senior leadership up at night in 2024?
- How are asset owners and asset managers coping with growing geopolitical uncertainties? What challenges are they facing?
Moderator: Adam Scott, Executive Director, Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health
Alex Side, Senior Principal, IMCO Infrastructure
Katharine Preston, Vice President, Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Bonnie Foley-Wong, Sustainable Investment Leader, Mercer
Alex Side
Senior Principal, IMCO Infrastructure (Investment Management Corporation of Ontario)
Read bio
4 Speakers
15:00 - 15:00
End of conference
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Be recognised as driving the future of sustainable finance to institutional investors in Canada
Sponsoring a Responsible Investor global event positions your business at the forefront of key decision-makers and ensures your profile gains a competitive advantage within the industry. Enquire about bespoke sponsorship packages to:
- Align your brand with Responsible Investor’s authoritative content-led event portfolio and be seen as a go-to solution provider for senior ESG and sustainable finance professionals.
- Stand tall amongst your competitors by positioning your company at RI Canada and embed your brand as a major player to senior institutional investors.
- Raise your profile as a thought leader within the industry to overcome the key challenges within responsible investing.
- Showcase your institutional investor solutions, in-person to new global audiences and generate new business opportunities to achieve your targets.
2024 sponsors include:
Connect with responsible investment investors
Brookfield Properties
BTG Pactual
CalPERS
Canada Climate Law Initiative
Canada Life
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
Capstone Infrastructure
CDPQ
African Development Bank
AGF Investments
AIMCo
Alberta Investment Management Corporation
Allegra Wealth
Allianz Global Investors
Allstate Investments
Alphinity investments
AMP Capital
Aon
Atlantic Bank
Aviva Canada
AXA Investment Managers
Axia Real Assets
Baillie Gifford
Banister & Company
Bank of America
Bank of Canada
Banque Nationale Investissements
BC Pension Corp
BCI
BentallGreenOak
BHP Foundation
BlackRock
BlueOrchard
BMO
BMO Global Asset Management
BNP Paribas
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
Brookfield
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brookfield Properties
BTG Pactual
CalPERS
Canada Climate Law Initiative
Canada Life
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
Capstone Infrastructure
CDPQ
African Development Bank
AGF Investments
AIMCo
Alberta Investment Management Corporation
Allegra Wealth
Allianz Global Investors
Allstate Investments
Alphinity investments
AMP Capital
Aon
Atlantic Bank
Aviva Canada
AXA Investment Managers
Axia Real Assets
Baillie Gifford
Banister & Company
Bank of America
Bank of Canada
Banque Nationale Investissements
BC Pension Corp
BCI
BentallGreenOak
BHP Foundation
BlackRock
BlueOrchard
BMO
BMO Global Asset Management
BNP Paribas
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
Brookfield
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brookfield Properties
BTG Pactual
CalPERS
Canada Climate Law Initiative
Canada Life
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
Capstone Infrastructure
CDPQ
Hiroshi Komori
Senior Director, Stewardship & ESG, GPIF
RI events around the world have been beneficial to catch up on ongoing ESG issues and network with great people.
Andrea Palmer
ESG Lead, PGGM
I appreciate the quality of the delegates and the conversations. It’s the go-to venue to gauge developments in ESG integration.
Network at Canada's leading responsible investment event
Build lasting relationships and compare best practices with your peers.
Responsible Investor Canada will return to the Chelsea Hotel Toronto in September. Join over 300 top-level investors, fund managers and sustainable finance professionals for two days of networking at the must-attend event to learn, share, and debate ESG opportunities and challenges.
Building relationships at RI Canada isn’t just about exchanging business cards; it’s about finding common ground and shared goals. Collaborations forged here can be the cornerstone of future projects and initiatives.
The in-person networking experience
Meet industry thought-leaders
Connect with the ESG community at the forefront of shaping sustainable finance in Canada. Engage with investment professionals, regulators, academics, NGOs, and lawyers who are driving meaningful change in the industry.
15+ hours networking
Connect in-person with the ESG community at our interactive workshops, panels, private breakfasts, debates, and evening drinks reception. Every moment at RI Canada is a chance to forge valuable connections.
Connect with Canadian asset owners
Hear from asset owners who are looking to increase their exposure to sustainable investments and financial products. Past asset owner attendees include AXA, Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan, CDPQ, HOOP, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, United Church of Canada, and many more.
Connect with active investors
Bank of America
Bank of Canada
Banque Nationale Investissements
BC Pension Corp
BCI
BentallGreenOak
BHP Foundation
BlackRock
BlueOrchard
African Development Bank
AGF Investments
AIMCo
Alberta Investment Management Corporation
Allegra Wealth
Allianz Global Investors
Allstate Investments
Alphinity investments
AMP Capital
Aon
Atlantic Bank
Aviva Canada
AXA Investment Managers
Axia Real Assets
Baillie Gifford
Banister & Company
Bank of America
Bank of Canada
Banque Nationale Investissements
BC Pension Corp
BCI
BentallGreenOak
BHP Foundation
BlackRock
BlueOrchard
African Development Bank
AGF Investments
AIMCo
Alberta Investment Management Corporation
Allegra Wealth
Allianz Global Investors
Allstate Investments
Alphinity investments
AMP Capital
Aon
Atlantic Bank
Aviva Canada
AXA Investment Managers
Axia Real Assets
Baillie Gifford
Banister & Company
Bank of America
Bank of Canada
Banque Nationale Investissements
BC Pension Corp
BCI
BentallGreenOak
BHP Foundation
BlackRock
BlueOrchard
Be recognised as driving the future of sustainable finance
Responsible Investor Canada provides an opportunity to make connections with an exclusive audience of ESG and sustainable finance decision makers. Share your solutions, collaborate and network with senior-level executives through bespoke sponsorship packages to meet your 2024 business goals.
Accommodation
Should you require accommodation for Responsible Investor Canada 2022, please use the link below to find hotels in the local area.
Asset owners at RI Canada 2024
The Responsible Investor Canada provides an unrivalled platform for asset owners investing in ESG and sustainable finance.
A limited number of complimentary passes for the event are available for asset owners. Check out the benefits of joining the conference and learn who among your peers attends. Apply for a complimentary pass for you or your team now.
What to expect?
Network with your peers
Enrich your network, build lasting relationships, and exchange valuable perspectives with your investor peers through investor-only breakfasts, networking breaks, lunches and much more.
Gain expert insights
Hear from our industry-leading speaker line-up, discover the latest trends and stay aligned with future innovations in the market.
Stay aligned to developments and opportunities
Discover remarkable investment opportunities and leverage ESG expertise focused on regulation, human rights, biodiversity, net zero and more.
Meet with the best and brightest funds
Connect and arrange one-to-one meetings with the biggest and best ESG managers in the market.
Asset owners at RI Canada 2024
Explore the conference benefits and find out which of your peers will be attending.
Connect with active investors
GPIF
San Francisco Employees' Retirement System
OMERS
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
State of New Jersey
New York City Comptroller
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
HOOPP
Alecta
AP2
Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK)
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
Brunel Pension Partnership
Cambridge Associates
Children's Investment Fund Foundation
Church of England Pensions Board
Friends Provident Foundation
Irish Life
Local Pensions Partnership
MP Investments
NEST Corporation
Nestlé UK Pensions
Nordea Life & Pension
Scottish Widows
Wellcome Trust
The Health Foundation
London Pensions Fund Authority
BBC Pension Trust
Folketrygdfondet
British Airways Pension Investment Management
Folksam
ING
VBV Pensionskasse
LGIM
Cambridge University Endowment
Migros Pension Fund
Caisse des depots et Consignations
Baloise
Strathclyde Pension Fund
GPIF
San Francisco Employees' Retirement System
OMERS
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
State of New Jersey
New York City Comptroller
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
HOOPP
Alecta
AP2
Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK)
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
Brunel Pension Partnership
Cambridge Associates
Children's Investment Fund Foundation
Church of England Pensions Board
Friends Provident Foundation
Irish Life
Local Pensions Partnership
MP Investments
NEST Corporation
Nestlé UK Pensions
Nordea Life & Pension
Scottish Widows
Wellcome Trust
The Health Foundation
London Pensions Fund Authority
BBC Pension Trust
Folketrygdfondet
British Airways Pension Investment Management
Folksam
ING
VBV Pensionskasse
LGIM
Cambridge University Endowment
Migros Pension Fund
Caisse des depots et Consignations
Baloise
Strathclyde Pension Fund
GPIF
San Francisco Employees' Retirement System
OMERS
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
State of New Jersey
New York City Comptroller
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
HOOPP
Apply for a complimentary asset owner pass
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.
Please register your interest and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm your eligibility.
For more information on the agenda or speaking opportunities, please contact Finlay Eglinton.
Finlay.eglinton@pei.group | +44 (0)203 879 3893
Youssef Aroub
Senior Principal - Sustainable Investing, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Geneviève Grenon
Responsible Investment Senior Advisor, Biodiversity Expert, Desjardins Global Asset Management
Juana Lee
Associate Director - Corporate Engagement, Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE)
Colin Saravanamuttoo
Executive Director and Canada Country Director-World Animal Protection, World Animal Protection
Polina Sims
Managing Director - Head of Investment Strategy, Sustainability and Asset Management, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Joy Williams
Executive Director, Financial Institution Net-zero Transition Plans, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)
Accommodation
Rooms are available to book at a discounted rate at the Chelsea Hotel where the event is taking place. Please book your room via the link below. The discounted rate is available until 12 August.
Guests may also call the hotel directly, toll-free at 1-800-CHELSEA (243-5732) or 416-595-1975.
These individuals must identify themselves as part of the “RI Canada 2024 Room Block or Res ID: PEI091024” and call prior to the cut-off date of Monday, August 12, 2024, to take advantage of your discounted group rate.
Gina Gambetta
Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
Gina joined RI in 2020 after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, with an MA in journalism. Since then, she has developed expertise in biodiversity and human rights.
Sarah Keyes
CEO, ESG Global Advisors
Sarah is a chartered accountant and an ESG and climate change expert with over a decade of work experience as a thought leader, consultant, facilitator, and auditor. She regularly presents to Executive teams and Boards of Directors on the link between ESG and climate change with financial and operational performance and long-term value. Sarah helps her clients establish ESG and climate change strategies that align with strategic priorities, enabling effective integration with existing risk and strategy processes.
About ESG Global Advisors
ESG Global Advisors bridges the gap between companies and investors on ESG and climate change risks and opportunities. We assist companies with integrating material ESG factors into business strategy, risk management, disclosure, engagement and governance. We assist investors and other capital market participants in integrating material ESG factors into investment processes, engagement and proxy voting. As a trusted advisor to companies and investors, we are driven by an informed belief that Environmental, Social and Governance issues matter and that businesses that incorporate them into their decision-making stand to thrive over the long-term.
Katharine Preston
Vice President, Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Katharine Preston joined OMERS in August, 2019 as Vice President, Sustainable Investing. In this role,
she assists OMERS with evolving its sustainable investing practices and liaises with OMERS investment,
risk and communications teams on matters such as ESG integration, climate risk, and stakeholder
communications and reporting.
Prior to joining OMERS, Katharine served as Director, Responsible Investing at OPTrust, an Ontariobased
public sector pension plan. At OPTrust, Katharine was instrumental in defining a strategy for
integrating ESG factors into investment practices and leading the development of a Climate Change
Action Plan. Prior to joining OPTrust, Katharine held positions with Innovest Strategic Value Advisors
(now part of MSCI) and Stantec Inc.
Katharine holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering from McGill University,
as well as an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University. She also holds a Certificate in
Fundamentals of Alternative Investments from the Chartered Alternative Investment Management
Analyst Association (CAIA).
Adam Scott
Executive Director, Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health
Adam is a climate change expert with extensive domestic and international experience in policy, energy and finance, as well as campaign design and execution. He has a lifelong commitment to supporting the transition to a zero carbon economy in Canada. At Shift, he works with wide-ranging stakeholders to bring international climate leadership into Canada’s financial sector. Previously, Adam was Senior Advisor to Oil Change International and manager of Environmental Defence Canada’s Climate & Energy program. Adam has advised governments, communicated through national and international media, and published numerous reports focused on various aspects of the low carbon transition. Adam and his family have recently returned to Toronto after living in the UK.
Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health is a charitable initiative that works to protect pensions and the climate by bringing together beneficiaries and their pension funds on the climate crisis. We help Canadians understand where their retirement wealth is invested by tracking pension fund investments and strategy. We educate and empower Canadians on how to engage constructively with their pension funds. Now is the time for Canada’s pension funds to shift their investment approach and invest in a prosperous zero-carbon future.
Julie Segal
Senior Program Manager, Climate Finance, Environmental Defence
Julie works as Senior Manager, Climate Finance at Environmental Defence, where she advances climate-related financial policy and regulation. She previously managed a portfolio of impact investments at the McConnell Foundation. Her career combines sustainable finance and climate advocacy.
She is an Associate at Youth Climate Lab and sits on the investment committee of The Michaëlle Jean Foundation. She’s won national and global awards for her work integrating environmental justice into sustainable finance, including winning First Prize Paper in the Ethics & Trust in Finance Global Prize. Julie writes about climate finance in the media, volunteers with various community- and youth-led environmental groups, and advises foundations on strategies for impact investing. Julie completed a Bachelor of Commerce at McGill University and various certificates on ESG and sustainable finance.
Environmental Defence
Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian advocacy organization that works with government, industry, and individuals to defend a safe climate and healthy communities.
Catherine Simard
Senior Director, CDPQ
Catherine Simard is Senior Director, Sustainable Investing at CDPQ. The Sustainable Investing group ensures that environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters are considered in investment analyses and engages with portfolio companies on these issues.
Prior to joining CDPQ, Catherine was advising public companies on corporate governance and securities law matters at Norton Rose Fulbright, an international law firm.
She holds a law degree from McGill University and a master's degree in international business law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she was awarded the law department prize for best overall mark. She sits on the executive committee of the Institute of Corporate Director's Quebec Chapter and the Public Policy Committee of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance.
Bruce Simpson
Partner, AgeTech Capital
Bruce Simpson is an international leader in business and philanthropy delivering societal impact and shareholder returns through several roles in sustainability/ESG. He is a GP in AgeTech Capital, raising a $50m fund plus $50m in SPV’s to invest in tech solutions delivering ‘healthier, wealthier and more fulfilling aging’. He is a Mentor/advisor to two startup incubators, and three transformational ESG startups: Tomorrow.io on ‘E’, Quadfi on ‘S’ and Re:Co on ‘G’. He is a Senior Advisor to McKinsey on ESG/Purpose, helping companies deliver positive societal impact, and long term shareholder benefits, through their core business. He retired from McKinsey as a Senior Partner in early 2021 after 33 years delivering transformations across strategy, operations and organisation topics, and several global leadership roles, including leading McKinsey's ESG/Purpose practice. As a Senior Advisor to McKinsey he coaches Boards and CEO's worldwide to calibrate ESG risks and opportunities, engage stakeholders, develop a credible, integrated narrative, and deliver measurable impact. He shares ideas on how best to execute stakeholder capitalism, through 40+ articles, podcasts and speeches.
He has an MA and LLM from Cambridge University, and an MBA/MA in International Studies from Wharton, and the Lauder Institute at U. Penn. His parents are arctic explorers. Time spent living with indigenous cultures in the arctic developed his early passion for ESG.
AgeTech Capital
AgeTech Capital (ATC) is an “S” (of ESG) focused VC and social impact fund that will invest in Series A startups delivering non-biotech solutions for healthier, wealthier and more fulfilling aging, across 4 verticals: Aging in the right place, Circle of care, Financial security, and Health/wellness for older people. ATC is a triple return VC fund, and is unique in that partner ‘carry’ also depends on delivering measurable social impact on the aging community. ATC is fund-raising now targeting first close in Q2, 2025. ATC is a women’s led NA based fund with a global footprint, seeking both NA and European based LP’s. ATC has already made 2 investments, and is poised to make 4 others. The first ones are in LifestyleRX a physician-led startup delivering tech enabled Type 2 diabetes reversal programs, with 46% success rates, and full reimbursement from insurance, and BloomFinance , which brings new and creative solutions to financial security challenges of older people.
Puninda Thind
Finance Nature Lead, Climate Champions Team
Puninda Thind is Finance Nature Lead with the UN Climate Champions Team focused on catalyzing and mobilizing finance sector action to address biodiversity loss and nature-related risks and opportunities. Puninda is deeply committed to building a sustainable, prosperous, equitable future. She has previously worked at the intersection of sustainable investing and climate resilience for 10+ years, where she helped organizations, including financial institutions, operationalize credible sustainability strategies.
Puninda has contributed as a working group member to the UNFCCC Race to Zero criteria consultation process. She holds a Bachelors of Environment and Business (Honours) from the University of Waterloo and a MSc Sustainability, Enterprise, and Environment from the University of Oxford. She is also active in climate advocacy as a member of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. Puninda has been recognized as one of Canada’s top 30 under 30 sustainability leaders, one of Canada’s top 25 under 25 environmentalists, and as a Clean50 honouree for her contribution to the advancement of climate action.
UN Climate Champions
At the COP 21 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, governments agreed that mobilizing stronger and more ambitious climate action is urgently required to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. To connect the work of governments with the many voluntary and collaborative actions taken by cities, regions, businesses and investors, nations decided to appoint two high-level champions. The current UN Climate Change High-Level Champions for COP27 and COP28, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin and Her Excellency Ms. Razan Al Mubarak, build on the legacy of their predecessors to engage with non state actors and activate the ‘ambition loop’ with national governments. Their work is fundamentally designed to encourage a collaborative shift across all of society towards a decarbonized economy so that we can all thrive in a healthy, resilient and zero carbon world. To help them deliver this work, the High-Level Champions are supported by The Climate Champions Team, a global team of experts covering a broad spectrum of fields. The Climate Champions Team works to elevate ambition and mobilizing credible climate action among cities, regions, businesses and investors through its campaigns Race to Resilience and Race to Zero.
Michelle Albanese
Director, ESG and Responsible Supply Chain, Upswing Solutions
Michelle is currently a Director at Upswing Solutions and has over 20 years of experience working with governments, non-profits, private and publicly traded companies to enhance sustainability and ESG.
Her areas of expertise include responsible supply chain management, ESG disclosure, biodiversity and conservation, human rights and labor rights, modern slavery, diversity, equity and inclusion and supplier diversity.
Michelle works across various sectors and markets – including professional and commercial services, finance, insurance, telecommunications, construction, retail, and manufacturing.
Michelle has a Masters of Science in Health and Environmental Sciences from the University of Waterloo, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Toxicology (minor in Statistics) from the University of Guelph. She holds the FSA SASB certification and the GHG Scope 3 certificate. Michelle is also a part-time professor at Seneca College where she teaches Supply Chain Sustainability, as part of the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management.
Upswing Solutions
Upswing Solutions is a boutique sustainability consultancy firm. Our team of experts has decades of experience leading sustainability, ESG and decarbonization strategies across operations and supply chains for companies and organizations across the globe. Our experts are based across Canada and work with major North American companies and brands in a broad range of sectors.
Jody Anderson
Strategy & Partnerships Advisor, First Nations Finance Authority
Born and raised in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Jody is Anishinaabe kwe from Treaty 3 and a proud member of Couchiching First Nation. As the Strategy & Partnerships Advisor, Jody is responsible for the design and development of strategic initiatives and building and advancing relationships with Nations who are pursuing development and prosperity for their communities as well as organizations, governments and corporations pursuing their reconciliation journey. Her role is to educate, advocate and advance partnerships for the mandate and services offered by the FNFA for First Nations clients throughout Canada.
She has attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Education program and is a Business Administration graduate (Human Resources Management) from Fleming College. She has also received her Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) designation from AFOA Canada. Jody serves as community trustee for Couchiching First Nation Legacy Trust Fund and sits on the provincial advisory committee for the Heart & Stroke Foundation
In her spare time, Jody volunteers with various community initiatives, boards and loves being active with her family. She currently resides in Ottawa with her husband and two sons.
David Andrews
Senior Legal Counsel - Investments, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
David Andrews is the HOOPP legal team’s lead lawyer on ESG matters. He supports all aspects of HOOPP’s sustainable investing activities, including advising on investments, policies, and regulatory consultations. David was a key contributor to the comprehensive climate strategy HOOPP released in March 2023. David also specializes in investment funds, public markets, and private equity and actively participates in HOOPP’s EDI initiatives. He has previously worked in private practice at McMillan LLP and in-house for two major financial institutions.
Youssef Aroub
Senior Principal - Sustainable Investing, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
Youssef is a Senior Principal, Sustainable Investing at IMCO where he leads all aspects of sustainability incorporation across IMCO’s investment activities. He brings a decade of experience in consulting and operational roles, including leading strategic projects at BCG with investors and industrial companies on climate investment themes, decarbonization levers, ESG due diligences, digital enablement, and operational value creation. Youssef’s previous experience also includes managing teams in operations at Rolls-Royce in the energy and aerospace divisions. Most recently, Youssef served in a leadership role at BCG's Centre for Canada's Future, helping shape a national agenda around Net-Zero across key industries. He also led research on several sustainability topics and headed a multi-company project to define Net-Zero pathways for agriculture. Youssef is a thought leader on key climate and sustainability topics and has co-authored three flagship publications including RBC's "The Next Green Revolution: How Canada can produce more food and fewer emissions", BCG's "Climate Tech: The Canadian Venture Opportunity", and CCF's "Canada has an EV edge, if it acts now". Youssef holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Guillaume Bellavance
Assistant Portfolio Manager - Fixed Income, Fiera Capital
Guillaume Bellavance is an Assistant Portfolio Manager and member of the Active and Strategic Fixed Income team. In this role, Mr. Bellavance provides value-added services to pension funds and insurers. He also monitors portfolios and develops new tools, all while conducting research.
Guillaume joined Fiera Capital in 2021 with more than 10 years of experience in the insurance industry and in pension plan consulting. Until recently, he worked in data science and its application to portfolio management for a leader in the insurance industry. In previous years, he held the position of Senior Manager, Actuarial, Rewards and Analytics, at a world-renowned Big Four audit and consulting firm.
Guillaume has a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from Laval University in Actuarial Science. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) and also holds the CFA, CAIA and PRM designations.
Karen Bird
Chief Capital Officer, Indigenous Impact Investment Circle
Karen Bird is an Ojibwe woman from Batchewana First Nation, who lives in Sault Ste Marie (SSM), Ontario. She has 26 years of financial industry experience including commercial lending, business advisory services, housing property management, renewable energy project management, business plan writing, start-up company coaching, wealth management and corporate cultural training. Karen was the recipient of the 2015 Influential Women of Northern Ontario’s Aboriginal Leadership Award and in 2018 was the first Indigenous recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award. Karen is the proud mother of four, step mother to three, values her language and carries many cultural teachings. Karen currently sits on the Board for Taking IT Global and was first Indigenous President of the SSM Chamber of Commerce. Karen is also the first Indigenous certified facilitator in Canada for ATHENA International. Karen is a strong advocate for women in business, Indigenous inclusion and sexual assault survivors through her non-profit Nakehndan – Knowing Your Truth, numerous seminars, panels, guest speaking and moderating engagements.
Alanna Boyd
Chief Sustainability Officer, Sun Life
As Senior Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Alanna is responsible for advancing Sun Life’s sustainability and climate change vision and strategy in alignment with the business. In this role – a first for Sun Life – she also establishes and maintains strategic relationships with key regulators, sustainable associations, governing bodies, and global partners who are key to this important work.
Alanna joined Sun Life in 2016 as Vice-President of Government, Regulatory Affairs & Sustainability, where she led government relations, regulatory initiatives, and played an important role in shaping Sun Life’s sustainability strategy. In 2019, she directed the development of a new sustainability plan aligned to Sun Life’s business strategy and purpose. Since the plan’s launch, the company has made significant progress in achieving measurable outcomes and reporting on its progress. Over her career, Alanna has held senior roles in private and public sectors, including working with Federal and Provincial Governments and over 10 years in the private sector working on sustainability. Before joining Sun Life, Alanna was Partner and Vice-President, Corporate Affairs at Barrick Gold Corporation, where she led the company’s government relations and geo-political risk management functions across its global operations.
Alanna was one of four women selected for Barrick Gold’s innovative inaugural Partner group. Alanna sits on the Board of the Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR), a professional association for Canadian companies championing business as a force for good. As Senior Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Alanna is a member of Sun Life’s Global Leadership Team and responsible for advancing Sun Life’s sustainability and climate change vision and strategy in alignment with the business. In this role – a first for Sun Life – she also establishes and maintains strategic relationships with key regulators, sustainable associations, governing bodies, and global partners who are key to this important work. Born and raised in Victoria, B.C., Alanna holds a B.A. Hon. in Political Science, Economics and Spanish from the University of Victoria, and a Master of Arts, International Political Economy, from the University of Warwick. She was a Governor of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and contributed to the Towards Sustainable Mining course as part of the Global Mining Management program at the Schulich School of Business. When Alanna is not on Zoom calls, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading a good book, hiking, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Jeff Briggs
Managing Director, North America, New Forests
Jeff Briggs is responsible for driving the overall strategy for New Forests’ North American business, focusing on delivering consistent and stable investment returns for clients, while contributing to communities and livelihoods, and the circular bioeconomy.
Jeff brings over 30 years’ experience in leading, managing and growing businesses across the investment, renewable energy and agriculture sectors. He was most recently Chief Operating Officer at WasteFuel, a company which converts municipal solid waste into low-carbon fuels including renewable natural gas, and green methanol.
Previously Jeff held the role of Chief Operating Officer at Green Plains Renewable Energy, a Fortune 1000, publicly traded renewable energy company, while also sitting on the Board of Green Plains Partners. Jeff was a founding partner of investment firm Frigate Capital where he was a portfolio manager, analysing investments in the small and midcap value space, and constructing the investment portfolio.
Early on in his career Jeff was a Nuclear Submarine Officer with the United States Navy.
He has a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering from the University of California.
Audrie Chad
Director, Research, Global Risk Institute
Audrie is a Director of Research at the Global Risk Institute, where she leads the Sustainability Hub. Audrie is an accomplished Enterprise Risk Management and Investment professional, with transaction and risk management experience in corporate, commercial, project finance and real estate lending, private equity and direct infrastructure investment. Audrie is recognized for her keen insight into complex risk issues influenced by regulation, policy and market developments, as well as Environmental, Social and Governance considerations. She has deep knowledge, experience and expertise with respect to equity and corporate debt structuring, financial modelling, technical and contractual aspects of transactions.
Most recently, Audrie served as the Head of Enterprise Risk Management at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), a federal crown corporation with a mandate to invest $35 billion in concessionary financing in support of targeted public impact objectives. Prior to the CIB, Audrie held progressively more senior positions within corporate lending and private equity at major Canadian and international financial institutions. Audrie is passionate about Risk Management and Emerging Risk fields including Sustainability, along with developing strong and dynamic teams, as a thought leader in her field.
Audrie obtained concurrent Honours in Business Administration and Bachelor of Health Sciences, graduating with distinction from the University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario. Audrie is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.
Global Risk Institute
Founded in 2011, The Global Risk Institute (GRI) is a premier organization that defines thought leadership in risk management for the financial services sector. GRI brings together leaders from industry, academia, and government to draw actionable insights on risks globally and build capability in the financial services sector. GRI provides members with knowledge and tools to fortify their risk understanding and expertise through events, education and research ＆ publications.
Valerie Cecchini
Managing Partner, Borealis Global Asset Management
Valérie is the co-founder and managing partner of BOREALIS Global Asset Management, a certified B Corp asset manager whose mission is to promote sustainable finance and best practices in governance and sustainability issues.
Her career with major financial institutions led her to manage numerous equity funds for which she won several awards and honors, including FundGrade A+ awards, the title of Quebec Portfolio Manager of the Year in 2016 and the CPA Emeritus Award from CPA Quebec in 2019.
An engaged leader, Valérie sits on the board of directors of the Foundation of Greater Montreal and chairs its investment committee. She is also a member of the investment committee of the HEC Fund, and a member of the ESG Advisory committee of Van Berkom Global Asset Management. Valérie is a frequent speaker and trainer in the areas of sustainable finance at university institutions such as the McGill Executive Institute and HEC Montreal Executive Education.
Valérie holds a master’s degree in finance from HEC Montréal, as well as the CFA and CPA designations. She is the first portfolio manager in Canada to have obtained the FSA (Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting) accreditation from SASB. Valerie also holds the CFA ESG certification. She is fluent in French, English and Italian.
Stephanie Chow-Ashton
Managing Director, Transition Finance, GFANZ
Stephanie Chow-Ashton is the Managing Director of Transition Finance at GFANZ, where she leads the Transition Finance workstream. She spearheaded the GFANZ publication on transition finance and decarbonization contribution methodologies released at COP28. Previously, she contributed to various GFANZ technical workstreams, including the flagship net-zero transition planning framework. Stephanie began her career at EY before joining the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) in 2014. At OTPP, she held several roles within the fund's private investment program, notably in the Consumer & Retail private equity team and leading corporate strategy and M&A for one of the fund's largest Canadian portfolio companies. Stephanie is a CPA and holds a BComm and MFin from the University of Toronto.
GFANZ
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) is a global coalition of eight financial sector net-zero alliances working together to support the world’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Through the net-zero alliances, GFANZ has united over 675 institutions across the financial sector, including banks, insurers, asset owners, asset managers, venture capitalists, financial service providers, and investment consultants, spanning 50 countries and representing 40% of global private financial assets. To help unlock transition investment in developing economies, GFANZ regional networks work to support capital mobilization, expand membership, and reflect the diverse needs of financial institutions around the world.
Ryan Clancy
Head of Impact Management, Rally Assets
Ryan provides leadership and expertise in impact measurement and management across client portfolios. As both an external and internal impact ambassador, Ryan helps drive improvements in impact measurement and management within the Canadian impact investing sector. Over the past decade, Ryan has influenced resource allocation decisions using impact data, designed impact management frameworks for prominent organizations and co-developed impact measurement frameworks for dozens of social purpose organizations. Prior to joining Rally in 2023, Ryan served as the Associate Director of Social Finance at LIFT Impact Partners, where he helped social purpose organizations to develop social finance strategies and impact measurement frameworks.
Credentials: Chartered Professional Accountant; Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Administration, and Law (with a formal focus on policy and program evaluation), York University.
Jillian Clapham
Director ESG Strategy & Transformation, PwC
Jillian is a National Director in our ESG Strategy and Advisory Consulting practice.
She is a leader in climate change and sustainability strategy development and execution. She is a global Subject Matter Expert on human rights and modern slavery having implemented strategies to address human rights violations and modern slavery challenges as Chief Sustainability Officer in the UK, Europe and SE Asia. Since relocating to Canada in 2022, she has led PwC's practise helping clients prepare for the Canadian Forced and Child Labour Act. Jillian has spent her career advising Boards and Executive Leadership around the world on both managing and disclosing on human rights and modern slavery.
Jillian has previously established a Board and Ethics committee for a European Bank and developed their Human Rights strategy, including policies and annual disclosures. Jillian has conducted risk reviews on human rights in both West, South Africa and SE Asia. She developed and designed one a leading human rights saliency review for the UK”s largest pension company and ESG pension plan screening and policy framework.
Jillian holds an MBA and a Masters in Resource Management from the University of Alberta and a BSc from the University of British Colubmia.
Sarah Couturier-Tanoh
Director of Shareholder Advocacy, SHARE
As the Director of Shareholder of Advocacy, Sarah Couturier-Tanoh oversees the engagement program across thematic including on social, environmental and governance issues. Over the past five years, Sarah has contributed to build SHARE’s engagement program on social issues using innovative, impactful and successful engagement strategies to promote the adoption of more sustainable corporate policies and practices in Canada and globally.
Sarah holds a Bachelor in Civil Law (BCL) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Public Comparative Law from Universite Paris Pantheon-Assas, an LLM in Environmental Law (with a focus on governance and energy law – onshore oil & gas and electricity) from Universite Laval and a Master of Science (Msc) in Sustainable Development and Organizational Responsibility from Universite Paris-Dauphine. Bringing a multidisciplinary perspective, Sarah supports SHARE’s clients steward their assets in ways that contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes.
Bob Dannhauser
Senior Advisor, Shift Project
Bob Dannhauser is a Senior Advisor with Shift, a New York based mission-oriented non-profit organization that is a leading center of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Bob focuses on helping investors to systematically address impacts on people and also contributes to Shift’s work on advancing better indicators of corporate social performance (the “S” in ESG). Before joining Shift, Bob’s past experience included a variety of client-facing roles with institutional asset management firms, representing diverse equity and fixed income disciplines to corporate, public retirement fund, Taft-Hartley, eleemosynary, and high net worth investors. Bob also worked on the CFA Institute staff where he led the global capital markets policy team and also served as global head of Private Wealth Management. He chaired the CFA Institute 401-k investment committee and also was a member of the investment committee overseeing the CFA Institute reserve portfolio. He is a CFA charterholder and also earned the Financial Risk Manager designation and Sustainability and Climate Risk certificate from the Global Association of Risk Managers.
Shift Project
Shift is a global non-profit organization based in New York. Our mission is to help build a world where business respects human rights, grounded in our expertise in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We work with businesses to shape practices, processes and behaviors, and with financial institutions, standards-setters, and governments to embed the right requirements and incentives in the frameworks in which businesses operate.
Fred Di Blasio
CEO and Managing Partner, Longhouse Capital Partners
Proud member of the Huron-Wendat Nation.
Fred is the co-founder and CEO of Longhouse Capital Partners whose mission is to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns, advance reconciliation and Indigenous economic self-determination
Formerly, Executive Vice President for Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, he lead the business development and partnerships effort with a focus of economic growth for the Nation. Fred is an experienced executive with a proven track record at AT＆T, TELUS and INVIDI Technologies with deep experience in mergers, acquisitions, marketing and corporate development. Graduated from the University of Cambridge.
Longhouse Capital Partners
Longhouse Capital Partners is an Indigenous majority-owned, and led alternative asset manager and strategic advisory firm. Our dual purpose mission is to generate superior risk-adjusted returns for investors and make a positive impact on Indigenous communities. The firm is uniquely positioned to enable our Indigenous partners to participate in the broader financial services industry as equity owners, improving First Nations access to capital, and increasing financial skills capacity building through scholarship, internship and mentorship.
Pratima Divgi
Head of Capital Markets, CDP North America
Pratima Divgi is the Head of Capital Markets, CDP North America. In her role, she leads engagement with the financial sector to measure and manage their climate and environmental impact, guiding them toward more sustainable practices.
Previously, Pratima was the Director for CDP’s regional offices in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Before that, she spent 17 years in finance, most recently in private equity with Aberdeen Standard Investments. Besides her investment role at Aberdeen Standard, she was also a part of the private equity ESG working group which developed the ESG policies and implementation mechanisms for their Asia-Pacific private equity investments.
Tyson Dyck
Partner, Torys LLP
Tyson is a partner at Torys LLP, leads the firm’s Climate Change Practice and is co-chair of the firm’s Sustainability Practice. He is currently helping many of the country’s largest companies in developing and implementing their strategies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and as they enter the carbon markets and engage in carbon trading transactions. He also regularly advises clients on reputationally sensitive sustainability issues, including under the evolving climate-related disclosure standards and frameworks. In the energy sector, Tyson has advised on the development and financing of more than 50 wind, gas, hydro, energy storage projects, representing over 7,000 MW in installed capacity, as well as on new commercial-scale CCUS projects.
Thomas Estinès
Co-CEO, GIR
Thomas Estinès has been co-CEO of GIR (Groupe Investissement Responsable) since 2020. GIR is an ESG consulting firm specialized in proxy voting advisory services, based in Montreal (QC) since 2000. GIR advises institutional investors on the votes at general meetings of companies in which they hold shares. GIR also provides research to evaluate the ESG performance of various entities, as well as consulting services to assist institutions in their approach to sustainability. He joined the company in 2013, where he successively held the positions of analyst, chief analyst and director of operations. He holds an MBA from St John's University (New York) and a Masters in Environmental Management from Groupe Excelia (formerly Sup de Co La Rochelle). For several years, he has been involved in the sustainable finance community as a mentor and volunteer with organizations such as CIRANO and Finance Montréal's Sustainable Finance Initiative.
George Fan
VP, National Natural Catastrophe and Climate Risk Lead, Marsh Canada Limited
George Fan is the National Lead for the Natural Catastrophe and Climate Risk practice at Marsh Canada Limited. With extensive experience in risk consulting within the insurance industry, George is a trusted advisor dedicated to helping organizations effectively assess, reduce, and manage exposures to natural catastrophes and climate risks for long-term resilience and success. Prior to joining Marsh, George was a Senior Consultant Engineer at the property insurance company FM.
Bonnie Foley-Wong
Sustainable Investment Leader, Mercer
Bonnie Foley-Wong leads Mercer’s Sustainable Investment team in Canada, supporting institutional investors to achieve their sustainability and investment goals. Bonnie is an investment professional with over 25 years of experience, gained in North America and Europe, spanning professional services, banking, asset management, and impact investing. She is the former Head of Investment Strategy at the Equality Fund, and previously founded Pique Ventures and Pique Fund, a fund focused on leadership diversity and women-led ventures. She has also held roles as a real estate investment banker with ABN AMRO, and as a corporate finance advisor with Deloitte. Bonnie is a member of the Direct Investment Committee of The Atmospheric Fund and served on not-for-profit Boards focused on serving women business owners and on building sustainable, local economies. She is the recipient of a University of Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics Alumni Achievement Medal, a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and is the author of Integrated Investing.
Magali Gable
Director, Sustainable Finance, BMO Capital Market
Magali Gable, Director, is the Sustainable Finance, Energy and Natural Resources Specialist. She supports BMO’s clients by offering advisory services, assisting them to identify solutions enabling the industry to navigate the transition to greater sustainability, and providing sustainable finance products opportunities. She contributes to product development and is also a member of various working groups, including the ICMA Sustainability-Linked Bond’s.
BMO Capital Market
BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service financial services provider with 2,700 professionals in 33 locations around the world, including 20 offices in North America. We offer corporate and investment banking, treasury management, as well as research and advisory services to clients around the world.
As a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), we’re part of one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with US$989 billion total assets and approximately 54,000 employees as of January 31, 2024. BMO Financial Group is the 8th largest bank in North America as measured by assets (Bloomberg, as of January 31, 2024). Learn more in our Annual Report.
Dr Maryam Golnaraghi
Director – Climate Change and Environment, The Geneva Association
Over the last 25 years, as a pioneer and a passionate thought-leader Dr. Golnaraghi’s career has spanned working as a senior executive, founder & entrepreneur and senior advisor in private and public sectors and the United Nations. Maryam’s career has focused on designing, leading, influencing and stewarding transformative initiatives, to develop sustainable solutions to expedite and scale up transitioning to a climate resilient and decarbonized economy. In 2020, Maryam was included on the list of 20 ‘Most Influential on Climate Change’ by InsuranceERM and among the top 100 influencers in the world on ‘Resilience’ by The Leaders’ Magazine.
Maryam is Director Climate Change & Environment at The Geneva Association, the international strategic think tank of the insurance industry whose members are CEOs of 90 largest insurance and reinsurance companies. Building on cross-sectoral partnerships, her work is currently focused on developing innovative approaches to de-risking climate technologies for the energy transition and industrial decarbonization; insurability of physical climate risk; forward-looking climate risk assessment and scenario analysis for decision-making and regulatory reporting; and climate litigation risk. From 2004–2014, Maryam was the Chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction Program at the World Meteorological Organization, where she built an international program and worked with over 40 governments. From 1997–2004, she served as founder and CEO of Climate Risk Solutions, first-of-its-kind risk analytics and advisory firm. Maryam serves on various executive and advisory boards and as a mentor to climate tech startups at the Creative Destruction Lab. Her work is regularly featured in the media and professional platforms, internationally. Maryam holds a BS in chemical engineering from Cornell University, an MS in applied physics and a PhD in physical oceanography from Harvard University.
Delaney Greig
Director, Investor Stewardship, University Pension Plan Ontario
Delaney Greig is Director, Investor Stewardship, at University Pension Plan. She supports public policy advocacy and leads engagement and proxy voting for UPP. Delaney joined UPP from Addenda Capital where she worked across stewardship, ESG integration and product development as Director, Sustainable Investing. She began her career in responsible investing at the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) as the lead social issues analyst and as manager of the engagement and policy team. A lawyer by training, Delaney also has experience in environmental and Indigenous law and policy. She is Co-chair of the Responsible Investment Association Policy Stewardship Group, Vice-chair of the Technical Committee of Climate Engagement Canada, and a member of the Board of Living Wage Canada. Delaney holds a JD/BCL from McGill University, an MA in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, and a BA in International Development (Economics) from the University of Guelph.
University Pension Plan Ontario
University Pension Plan (UPP) is a jointly sponsored defined benefit pension for Ontario’s university sector. UPP manages nearly CAD$11 billion in pension assets and proudly serves over 39,000 members across four universities and 12 sector organizations. UPP is growing a resilient fund to secure pension benefits for members today and for generations to come and is open to all employers and employees within Ontario’s university community.”
Geneviève Grenon
Responsible Investment Senior Advisor, Biodiversity Expert, Desjardins Global Asset Management
As a member of the Responsible Investment team, Geneviève Grenon works as a Senior Advisor for the private markets and is the expert covering the thematic of biodiversity and natural capital. Her work calls upon her in-depth knowledge regarding environmental issues, especially concerning climate change, water quality and management, and biodiversity.
Geneviève joined Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM) in 2021, leveraging the extensive expertise she gained while studying for her master's and doctorate degrees, and working as a research associate. Both her M. Sc. and Ph. D., from McGill University, focused on different aspects of water management, including integrated water resource and agricultural water quality management.
Desgardins Global Asset Management
Established in 1998, Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM) is one of Canada's largest asset managers with in-house expertise in equity, fixed income and real assets (infrastructure, real estate) across a variety of investment styles.
DGAM manages over CAN$100 billion in institutional assets on behalf of insurance companies, pension funds, endowment funds, non-profit organizations and corporations across Canada.
With offices in Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto, our team of over 80 investment professionals uses a collaborative approach, combining innovation, accessibility and discipline to design solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients.
Sean Hackett
Senior Manager, Energy Transition, Environmental Defense Fund
Sean manages advocacy activities with critical companies and investors to secure adoption and implementation of state and federal policies to drive down emissions from the oil and gas sector. Prior to EDF, Sean worked on air quality, energy and transportation issues with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. He graduated from Fort Lewis College and Gonzaga University School of Law.
Environmental Defense Fund
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF, edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn our solutions into climate action. EDF has offices in the United States, China, India, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, with EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts working across 28 countries.
Lila Han
Director, Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Lila Han is Director, Sustainable Investing at OMERS based in Toronto. In this role, she focuses on SI strategy across the organization working with different investment teams and stakeholders. Prior to returning to Canada, she spent the bulk of her 20 year career in the United States and Asia working with different types of institutional investors on their investment strategy, asset allocation and portfolio implementation across multiple asset classes. This work exposed her early on to the world of sustainable and responsible investing through researching ESG equity funds before the last GFC and subsequently in her work with mission-oriented investors. Lila is passionate about building bridges and mentoring the next generation of SI leaders.
Meghan Harris-Ngae
Partner, National Sustainability Strategy & Transformation Leader, PwC Canada
Meghan leads the ESG Advisory & Strategy practice for PwC Canada. She has over 20 years of combined international and local experience in climate change, Environmental Health and Safety, ESG and international government relations.
Meghan has global expertise working with multinational organizations to develop strategies for building long term value for stakeholders and society. She spends her time working with Boards, and Leadership teams to develop integrated and transformational ESG strategies underpinned by climate change and other ESG matters that have a significant impact on business resilience and long-term performance.
Meghan has a degree in International Relations from the University of Calgary. She has also completed the Harvard Leadership Program and the Corporate Social Responsibility Program at the Harvard Business School (HBS).
She was recognized among the top Sustainability leaders in Canada by Clean50, and by Clean16 for her achievements in advancing the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada. She was also the award winner for Young Women in Energy in 2019.
Toby Heaps
Co-Founder, Corporate Knights
Toby is the chief executive officer and co-founder of Corporate Knights. He spearheaded the first global ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations in 2005, and in 2007 coined the term “clean capitalism.” Toby has been published in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and the Globe and Mail, and is a regular guest speaker on CBC. In 1998, he played centrefield for the Yugoslav National Baseball Team.
Amy Hepburn
CEO, Investor Leadership Network (ILN)
Amy Hepburn is the CEO of the Investor Leadership Network, a 2018 G7-born group of 14 asset managers and asset owners with over $10 trillion assets under management who are committed to sustainability and long-term growth.
Amy is a recognized impact investing expert and social entrepreneur with deep expertise on gender lens social investments and the care of children in crises. In this capacity, she has spent 20 years driving change globally in the private, nonprofit and public sectors.
She was a Delegate on the first G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council created by Prime Minister Trudeau, and an active member of the NationSwell Council and The Global Women’s Forum on Economy and Society.
Amy has faculty appointments at Duke University and George Washington University where she teaches on social impact, gender equality, the just transition, intersectional climate justice, the care of children in crises, human rights and humanitarian action.
Investor Leadership Network
The Investor Leadership Network was launched at the 2018 G7 to facilitate and accelerate collaboration by leading global institutional investors on transitioning to a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economy. Today, the ILN comprises 13 global asset owners and asset managers representative of over US$10 trillion in assets under management.
Through the CEO-led ILN platform, members collaborate and pool resources, expertise and networks to develop, promote and deliver concrete and scalable impact across climate change; equity, diversity and inclusion; and sustainable infrastructure in emerging markets.
Ian Howard
Director, Climate Services, Climate Bonds Initiative
Ian leads the Climate Services team who provide services to help investors and other market actors to employ Climate Bonds criteria and methods in their business. He comes from Sustainalytics where he led the commercial development of their labelled bond and corporate ESG solutions business from 2018 to 2023 and years before that in electrical equipment, solar and time before that in International Development.
Jingdong Hua
International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Vice-Chair, IFRS Foundation
Jingdong Hua was appointed Vice-Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in Montreal, Canada, with his tenure beginning on October 1, 2022.
Mr. Hua brings extensive expertise in international finance and development to the ISSB. He previously served as Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where he also acted as the Administrator of the World Bank Group Pension Fund and was a member of the Pension Fund's Finance Committee (the Board).
Prior to his tenure at the World Bank, Mr. Hua was Vice President and Treasurer of the International Finance Corporation in Washington, D.C. He has also held the position of Deputy Treasurer at the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines. His career includes roles with the United Nations Development Programme in New York and the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. He began his professional journey as a chemical engineer in 1983 in Beijing, China.
In addition to his role at the ISSB, Mr. Hua serves on the Supervisory Board of TCX, a Dutch Alternative Investment Fund that provides local currency solutions to emerging and frontier markets. He is also a Board Member of the United Nations Sanitation and Hygiene Fund and an International Advisory Board member at Zhejiang University International Business School. Furthermore, he holds a position as a Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute.
Alison Joutsi
Principal, ESG Global Advisors
Alison is an ESG professional with significant experience building ESG programs and managing sustainability risks and opportunities for corporate clients. Her diverse background in law, business and communication allows her to build ESG strategies that integrate with existing corporate goals and priorities generating long-term return on investment. She is regularly called upon to present to Boards and speak at various events on ESG regulation, disclosure, climate risk and is frequent guest lecturer to students on ESG strategy and reporting.
ESG Global Advisors
ESG Global Advisors advises companies and investors on their material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks and opportunities and their connection to corporate governance, strategy, risk management, financial and operational performance, and reporting.
As a trusted partner of both companies and investors, we are driven by an informed belief that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues matter and that businesses that incorporate them into their decision-making stand to thrive over the long-term. That’s why our team of senior-level professionals - with deep experience in the Capital Markets - works with investors and companies every step of the way, to develop an approach to ESG that adds value now and in the future.
Michael Kelly
Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer, OMERS
Michael Kelly is the Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer of OMERS. He oversees OMERS Legal Division and is involved in various matters relating to investment and pension law, regulatory affairs and corporate governance, including working closely with the Board of Directors. Mr. Kelly leads OMERS approach to sustainable investing and ESG, having developed OMERS Sustainable Investing Framework in 2019, and is Chair of the Sustainable Investing Committee.
Prior to assuming this role in 2014, Mr. Kelly served as Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Borealis Infrastructure (now OMERS Infrastructure), the infrastructure investment arm of OMERS, which he joined in 2006. Prior to joining OMERS, he practiced corporate, commercial and regulatory law, both in-house and with firms in Toronto, London, England and Ottawa.
Mr. Kelly also represents OMERS on the boards or committees of various domestic and international organizations including Canada’s Sustainable Finance Action Council, the Investor Leadership Network and the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance.
Mr. Kelly was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1994. He holds a BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University (1989), an LLB from the University of Toronto (1992), and an MA (International Relations) from the University of Toronto (2004). He also holds the designation of Chartered Director (C. Dir).
Dana Krechowicz
Director, Sustainable Finance, Global Risk Institute
Dana Krechowicz has worked in the sustainability field for more than 15 years, with diverse experience in financial services, consulting, public policy and think tanks. She is currently Director, Sustainable Finance at the Global Risk Institute. Previously she led enterprise sustainable finance at HSBC Bank Canada from 2018 until it was acquired by RBC in 2024, working across personal, commercial and global banking, and asset management. Dana was also a member of HSBC’s global sustainability Centre of Excellence, focused on client climate transition plan assessments and developing the bank’s first Net Zero Transition Plan.
Dana has taught sustainability courses in the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business at York University, including developing and teaching the school’s first course on sustainable finance in 2021. She holds an International MBA from Schulich and a BComm from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University.
Jonathan Laski
Director, Sustainable Finance, PwC
Jonathan is a sustainable finance expert working with both financial institutions and corporates to leverage ESG-related finance opportunities.
Jonathan has supported a dozen Canadian and global banks and investors to develop their sustainable finance commitments and environmental and social criteria underlying those commitments. He actively works with clients to build their controls and validation systems to track progress against those commitments.
Jonathan also has extensive experience drafting and reporting on green, social and sustainability bond and loan frameworks for a wide variety of global clients, including government, corporate and bank issuers.
Jonathan is a lawyer by training and has been working in sustainability and climate change for the past 13 years.
Juana Lee
Associate Director - Corporate Engagement, Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE)
Juana provides oversight on SHARE’s human rights and decent work program. Previously, Juana held the position of Manager, Human Rights and Social Impact at Scotiabank. In this role, she supported the implementation of the bank’s enterprise-wide human rights strategy to better align the bank’s business and operations with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Prior to Scotiabank, she worked at SHARE in different capacities on the engagement team. Juana was also a Researcher at Corporate Accountability, a Boston based non-profit organization, where she conducted research on political interference and lobbying related to food and beverage corporations. Juana holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Western University. She also holds a CFA ESG Investing certificate.
Paula Luff
Director of Sustainability Research & Engagement, DSC Meridian
Ms. Luff joined DSC Meridian in January 2021 as Director of Sustainability Research & Engagement. Prior to DSC Meridian, Ms. Luff was Director of Sustainability and Impact at Inherent Group, LP, where she developed the firm’s ESG platform and led engagement with portfolio companies and investment stewardship. Prior to joining Inherent, Ms. Luff was Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Hess Corporation where she built the business unit, led strategy development, and integrated material ESG matters into operations. Previously, Ms. Luff was Senior Director of Strategic Health partnerships at Pfizer where she built and led the company’s Access to Medicines initiatives globally.
Ms. Luff earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Master’s Degrees from New York University and the New School.
Bruce Marchand
Interim Chair, Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB)
Bruce Marchand is an experienced energy sector executive following a prior career as a senior partner in an Atlantic Canadian regional law firm. Bruce is the Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer of Emera Inc., a public energy services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a strategic focus on transformation from high carbon to low carbon energy sources. Emera operates electric and natural gas utilities with assets in three Atlantic provinces, New England, Florida, New Mexico, and the Caribbean.As a leader at Emera, Bruce has held senior executive responsibility for several areas, including legal and regulatory affairs, securities laws, corporate governance, internal audit, ethics, compliance, insurance, enterprise risk management and sustainability. Prior to joining Emera, Bruce held various law practice leadership and management roles; practicing in areas of corporate and commercial law, including in the infrastructure, banking, and energy sectors.Bruce is a graduate of Acadia University (BA in Economics), Dalhousie Law School (LLB), and the Institute of Corporate Directors Program (ICD.D). He has been involved as a volunteer and leader in several professional, community and charitable organizations, including as a former Governor of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and as past Chair of the QEII Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Jo-Anne Matear
Head of Sustainable Finance, Ontario Securities Commission
Jo-Anne is the Head of Sustainable Finance at the Ontario Securities Commission. She is responsible for developing and implementing a cross-organization sustainable finance regulatory strategy and working on key strategic and high priority sustainable finance matters that impact the capital markets. She has led several significant policy initiatives, including initiatives regarding environmental- and climate-related disclosures, corporate governance and diversity on corporate boards and in executive roles.
Prior to joining the Commission, Jo-Anne practised corporate and securities law in Toronto, Ontario and London, England. Jo-Anne received her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University and her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto.
Catherine McCall
CEO, Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG)
Catherine McCall is CEO of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, a not-for-profit organization representing Canada’s leading institutional investors which collectively manage approximately $5.5 trillion of assets. CCGG promotes good governance practices, including the governance of environmental and social matters, at Canadian public companies and assists institutional investor members in meeting their stewardship responsibilities. As CEO, Catherine is responsible, together with the Board of Directors, for setting the strategy of the organization, leading policy development, overseeing regulatory advocacy and participating in CCGG’s board engagement program. She is a member of the Ontario Securities Commission’s Continuous Disclosure Advisory Committee and Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network’s Global Stewardship Committee. A lawyer by training, Catherine holds the ICD.D designation.
CCGG
Representing the interests of institutional investors which collectively manage approximately $5.5 trillion of assets, CCGG promotes good governance practices, including the governance of environmental and social matters, at Canadian public companies and assists institutional investor members in meeting their stewardship responsibilities.
Susan McGeachie
CEO, Global Climate Finance Accelerator
Susan McGeachie is CEO of the Global Climate Finance Accelerator, which convenes partnerships across business, finance, and government on strategies, policies, procedures, and tools to finance the deployment of technically viable climate solutions. With over 20 years of experience in sustainable finance, Susan has held leadership positions in banking, management consulting, and engineering firms, as the Head of the BMO Climate Institute, Global Director of the Climate Change practice at Hatch, and the Central Market Leader for EY's Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice. Prior to consulting, Susan was a Director with Innovest Strategic Value Advisors (since acquired by MSCI) where she supported the firm’s asset owner clients on the integration of environmental, social, and governance factors into stock valuation and selection decisions. Susan started her sustainability career with WWF Canada in 2000 supporting the integration of biodiversity conservation in resource development.
Susan is an Executive-in-Residence and a member of the ESG Designation program faculty at the Rotman School of Management, and adjunct professor at the University of Toronto teaching a graduate course in environmental finance and sustainable investing. She is also a member of the Climate Governance Experts Panel and a former board member of the Canadian Responsible Investment Association. Susan was named to the Canadian delegation of COP 26 and 27 and was awarded one of twenty-six Canadian Climate Champions by the Canada Climate Law Initiative and the British High Commission ahead of COP 26. In 2014 she was named to the Clean50 and Clean 16 lists of practitioners, which recognize leadership in advancing the clean economy. Also in 2014 Susan received the University of Toronto Arbor Award in recognition of her work on the University of Toronto’s Environmental Finance Advisory Committee from 2006 to 2018.
Melissa Menzies
Director, Sustainable Finance, Scotiabank
Melissa is a Director in Scotiabank’s Sustainable Finance group within Global Banking and Markets, based in Toronto. She provides sustainable finance and ESG advisory solutions to corporate and institutional clients, working with clients in Canada and the US. Prior to Scotiabank, she worked at Sustainalytics, where she was responsible for guiding issuers, underwriters, and companies with sustainable finance programs and transactions across the Americas and EMEA markets. Beyond Scotiabank, Melissa is a provincial-level ringette player. She has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Ethics, Society & Law and Philosophy from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management from the University of Waterloo.
Bertrand Millot
Head of Sustainability, CDPQ
Bertrand Millot leads the Stewardship Investing team, which is responsible for defining and implementing CDPQ’s strategic directions, including integrating ESG factors into all activities and deploying the climate strategy. His responsibilities have three aspects: helping investment teams structure impactful investment opportunities (particularly with regard to social, climate and energy transition investments); managing risks related to ESG, climate change and reputation and contributing to the organization’s outreach in collaboration with the CDPQ Global team.
Mr. Millot is one of the architects of CDPQ’s climate change strategy and a seasoned investor in infrastructure and corporate debt in emerging markets, fields where ESG considerations have historically been at the forefront. At CDPQ since 2015, he previously held various positions in risk management and stewardship investing, including Business Unit Risk Manager for the Fixed Income, Capital Solutions and Cross-functional Risk portfolios. He also served as Head of Climate Risk and Issues and led the Stewardship Investing team.
Before joining CDPQ, Mr. Millot was CEO and CIO at Cordiant Capital, an emerging market corporate debt fund manager. Earlier in his career, he was active in infrastructure project finance with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London, U.K. and with BNP Paribas in Paris, France.
Mr. Millot holds an MBA from McGill University, a Master’s in Engineering from École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers in Paris and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D designation).
Scott Morrison
Partner, Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, PwC
Through his experience working in Canada and internationally, Scott has gained a wealth of knowledge on sustainability risks and opportunities affecting businesses. As a Partner in PwC’s Sustainability Reporting and Assurance practice, he brings practical solutions in helping his clients navigate this evolving space.
Scott’s wide range of experience includes expertise in GHG emissions, IFRS Sustainability Standards, global sustainability regulatory developments such as SEC and CSRD, financed emissions, and sustainable finance. In addition, Scott has led a variety of engagements involving reporting system implementation, providing both advice and assurance over these implementations.
Scott is the Vice Chair of CPA Ontario’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and sits on the AASB’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, where he helps to advise Canada’s standard setters and professional bodies on the future of sustainability reporting and assurance. He is an active contributor and developer of PwC’s thought leadership pieces, most recently around the impact of IFRS sustainability standards, ESG Reporting Insights, and the energy transition.
Andrea Nemtin
Chief Executive Officer, SI Canada
Andrea Nemtin is Chief Executive Officer of Social Innovation Canada, to which she brings 25 years of experience leading organizations and initiatives focused on advancing social and environmental progress through strategic philanthropy, media and arts, social innovation and impact investing. That has included serving as Executive Director of Rally Assets and as CEO and founding president of Inspirit Foundation, where she led the foundation’s journey towards a 100% impact investing portfolio. Andrea was recognized in 2017 with a Governor General’s Meritorious Service Award for her contribution to inclusion in Canada. Andrea currently serves a member of the board of the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority and the Advisory Council for Boann Social Impact.
Ryan Ness
Director - Adaptation, Canadian Climate Institute
Ryan Ness is the Director of Adaptation at the Canadian Climate Institute, leading research into policy solutions for meeting Canada's goals for adapting and building resilience to climate change. He has 20 years of experience in climate change adaptation, previously leading climate programs at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and directing the Ontario Climate Consortium. He is a professional engineer, holding Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph, and is completing a Ph.D. in Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo.
Sandra Odendahl
Senior Vice President and Head, Sustainability, Diversity & Social Impact, BDC
Sandra Odendahl is a passionate and respected voice in promoting sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada. She believes that businesses can and should be a force for good — contributing to economic prosperity, environmental stability, and vibrant, inclusive communities. At BDC, she leads BDC’s corporate sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and social impact strategy and programs, ensuring the bank delivers against its targets and helping entrepreneurs on the path to a more sustainable future. Before joining BDC, Sandra led enterprise-wide sustainability, community investment and social finance programs at Scotiabank and RBC.
A committed community volunteer, she has served on the boards of many organizations, and is currently serving with the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board, Canadian Climate Institute, Transition Accelerator and NEXT Canada. Sandra holds a Master of Applied Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a CFA charter holder.
Paige Olmsted
Conservation Finance Specialist, Nature Investment Hub and Smart Prosperity Institute
Paige Olmsted is an environmental scientist leading research on conservation finance in Canada. Her research focuses on how we account for, make decisions about, and value nature–from a personal as well as economic standpoint. Her expertise centers around ecosystem services, nature-based solutions for climate change, ecological economics, and environmental and relational values.
As the Program Director of Nature-Based Solutions at the Smart Prosperity Institute, Paige leads the think-tank’s conservation finance research. As Conservation Finance Specialist at the Nature Investment Hub, Paige examines financial mechanisms and enabling conditions to catalyze interest and investment to support ecosystem services and the natural environment.
Paige has an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University, and a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of British Columbia. She sits on the Board of the Society for Conservation Biology North America, and is an advisor for CoSphere.
Emily Partington
Managing Director, Quinn+Partners
Emily is a Managing Director with experience helping clients develop successful strategies to integrate sustainability into their business operations and culture. She has international advisory experience across sectors, including financial institutions, clean technology, professional services, real estate, infrastructure, telecommunications, transportation and media and entertainment. Her expertise includes ESG strategy design, materiality assessments, climate change risk assessments and scenario analysis, stakeholder engagement, net-zero target-setting and best-in-class disclosure.
Highlights of Emily’s work include ambitious climate change mandates for several of North America’s largest banks and financial institutions, where she has advised teams on science- based target setting, sustainable investing and lending activities and climate-related disclosure. As a strategist, Emily has helped many companies over the years establish their ESG mandates and begin to drive performance and measure their results. This body of work cuts across crafting focused goals, key performance indicators, scorecards, policies and governance structures. She has also counseled executives and Boards on how to build their capacity to drive organizational change in the transition to the low- cabron economy.
Before joining Quinn+Partners, Emily led a sustainability advisory and climate change practice at WSP and was recognized as a Clean50 Emerging Leader for her contributions to clean capitalism in Canada. In her spare time, Emily enjoys chasing after her daughters and spending time on Georgian Bay.
Katharine Preston
Vice President - Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Katharine Preston is responsible for leading OMERS Sustainable Investing team. In this role, she leads the development and advancement of OMERS approach to Sustainable Investing and most recently, OMERS Climate Action Plan. The world class team supports OMERS with implementing our sustainable investing practices of integration, collaboration, and engagement across the enterprise. To achieve our objective, Katharine works closely with OMERS investment, risk, finance, and communications teams on matters such as ESG integration, climate risk, stakeholder communications and reporting.
Working in the pension industry for more than 15 years, Katharine previously served as Director, Responsible Investing at OPTrust, an Ontario-based public sector pension plan. At OPTrust, Katharine was instrumental in defining a strategy for integrating ESG factors into investment practices and leading the development of a Climate Change Action Plan. Prior to joining OPTrust, Katharine held positions with Innovest Strategic Value Advisors (now part of MSCI) and Stantec Inc.
Katharine also serves on the Board of Directors for the United Church of Canada’s Pension Plan; the Investment Committee for the University of Guelph and just completed a final term on the board of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC). Katharine also sits on the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance’s E&S Committee and Chairs the Investor Leadership Advisory Panel of Climate Engagement Canada.
Katharine holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering from McGill University, as well as an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University. She also holds a Certificate in Fundamentals of Alternative Investments from the Chartered Alternative Investment Management Analyst Association (CAIA).
Matt Price
Director of Corporate Engagement, Investors for Paris Compliance
Matt Price holds a BA from McGill and a Masters from York. He has over 20 years' experience in the non-profit sector both with NGOs and with charitable foundations. He is a published author with UBC Press on the subject of campaigns.
Investors for Paris Compliance (I4PC) works with investors to hold Canadian publicly-traded companies accountable to their net zero promises. I4PC researches company climate plans to compare them to best practices, conducts corporate engagement, and where appropriate files shareholder resolutions.
Kimberly Randle
CEO and Founder, Fair Supply
Kimberly Randle is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fair Supply a globally recognised and fast growing ESG risk intelligence and compliance solution. Since its inception Fair Supply has been a hotbed of innovation, bring to market two world firsts: modern slavery footprinting and extinction risk footprinting which is used by companies globally. Fair Supply has been named as an AFR Sustainability Leader, been awarded APAC ESG Data Provider of the Year, been featured in Forbes and has received investment from some of Australia's keystone institutional investors, VC's and Impact Investment Funds.
Kimberly is an experienced an innovative human rights advocate specialising in modern slavery. Kimberly has over 15 years experience working in law and human rights for top tier firms in Australia and the United States, previously holding the role of Senior Director of Corporate and Legal for International Justice Mission Australia. Kimberly is a sought-after expert and speaker in the field of modern slavery and has been called upon to provide evidence for both the NSW and Commonwealth Parliamentary Inquiries into Human Trafficking.
Fair Supply
Fair Supply is a cloud-based ESG risk intelligence and compliance solution. They are a purpose drive ESG technology and data business specialising in identifying supply chain and ESG risk. They help companies, identify, manage and mitigate their risk and exposure to modern slavery, greenhouse gas (GHG), carbon emissions, across Scope 1,2 and 3 biodiversity loss.
Mandira Reddy
Director, Capricorn Investment Group
Mandira Reddy serves as a Director and Head of Impact at Capricorn Investment Group. In this capacity, she acts as the operating partner for several of Capricorn's portfolio companies and provides firmwide leadership to enhance impact outcomes across private and marketable portfolios. During her decade-long tenure at Capricorn, Mandira has had roles across operations, investments, and client services. Prior to Capricorn, she was a Portfolio Manager at Intel Capital, where her responsibilities included managing portfolio M&A and constructing division P&L. Mandira holds a Master's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a CFA charter holder.
Will Relle
Director, ESG, HarbourVest
Will Relle is an ESG Director at HarbourVest Partners based in Boston. In his role, Will is focused on engaging with the firm’s investors to understand and help achieve their ESG objectives. He also works with our internal stakeholders on developing ESG-related product and innovation.
Will joined the firm in 2022 from the ESG team at Mercer Investments, where he advised asset owners on ESG strategy and policy development, including the build-out of impact investing programs and portfolios. Most recently, he led the ESG program for Mercer’s US and Canada OCIO businesses. He holds a BS from Boston College with concentrations in Finance and Philosophy.
HarbourVest
HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets firm with over 42 years of experience and more than $132 billion assets under management as of June 30, 2024. Our interwoven platform provides clients access to global primary funds, secondary transactions, direct co-investments, real assets and infrastructure, and private credit.
Karen Restoule
Vice President, Crestview Strategy
Karen Restoule is a strategist and engagement specialist with Crestview Strategy. A master at fostering collaboration among parties by identifying common goals and objectives, she offers clients bringing a specialty in strategy, engagement, and crisis management and offers clients expertise in community, stakeholder, and Indigenous engagement, transformative leadership, change management, and policy development.
Prior to joining Crestview Strategy, Karen led an environmental consulting firm, building on a previous role serving First Nations leadership as Director of Justice at Chiefs of Ontario where she advanced innovative and strategic policy solutions to legacy challenges. In 2016, she co-founded BOLD Realities to advance economic reconciliation and partnered with TakingITGlobal to launch whose.land, a web-based mobile app that provides users with information about Indigenous territories.
Karen led Ontario’s administrative justice system at Tribunals Ontario, responsible for leadership and oversight of its 19 constituent tribunals she led key transformations at the Ontario Parole Board, Human Rights Tribunal Ontario, and the Landlord and Tenant Board.
A graduate of the University of Toronto and University of Ottawa’s French Common Law Program, Karen was the youngest and most recent graduate to be inducted into the Faculty of Law’s Honour Society in 2014 for using legal education as a foundation for making significant contributions to society. She received CivicAction’s 2018 Emerging Leader Award and was named Public Policy Forum’s 2018 Prime Ministers of Canada Fellow.
Karen serves on a number advisory and governance boards including TC Energy, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Venture For Canada, Canadian Club Toronto, Connected North, and others. She serves on juries for Canadian policy awards The Donner Prize and The Hunter Prize and is a contributing writer at thehub.ca Karen is Ojibwe from Dokis First Nation.
Andreas Ross
Head of New Product Research and Development, ZAIS Group
Dr. Ross serves as Head of New Product Research and Development and Managing Director at ZAIS. Prior to assuming his current role in 2021, he was a member of the Structured Credit Portfolio Management Team at ZAIS responsible for trading Credit Derivatives and developing Quantitative Strategies. Before joining ZAIS in September of 2013, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Physics at Carnegie Mellon University and at Yale University investigating elementary particles, cosmology and black holes. Dr. Ross holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters in Physics from the University of Karlsruhe.
ZAIS Group
Founded in 1997 and based in Holmdel, NJ, ZAIS has invested across multiple credit cycles at various levels in the capital structures of corporate and asset-backed securities. ZAIS has approximately $6.1 billion in assets under management (as of June 30, 2023). We offer a platform of complementary and diverse products, ranging from commingled funds to bespoke strategies in managed accounts and special situation vehicles to meet our clients' and investors' varying needs. ZAIS's investments have traditionally included CLOs, RMBS, CMBS, ABS and other credit products throughout North America and Europe. ZAIS is one of a few alternative credit managers with over a twenty-five year history.
Katherine Short
Associate Director, Sustainable Investing, OMERS
Katherine Short joined OMERS in November 2021 as Associate Director, Sustainable Investing. In this role, she supports OMERS ongoing efforts to evolve its sustainable investing practices. Since January 2024, Katherine has been leading sustainable investing for OMERS Private Equity buyout portfolio.
Prior to joining OMERS, Katherine served as a Director and Portfolio Manager at RBC. At RBC, Katherine served as the RBC InvestEase Investment Committee Co-chair. She was also instrumental in launching a suite of ESG-integrated ETFs in partnership with Blackrock. Prior to joining RBC, she held positions at Vanguard.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Commerce from York University as well as an MBA from the London Business School in the United Kingdom. She is a CFA® Charterholder and holds a certificate from the CFA Institute in ESG Investing.
Manon Salomez
ESG Specialist, Mirova
Manon is an ESG and Impact Specialist for Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers fully dedicated to sustainable investment. She has been covering the healthcare and consumption industries at Mirova for 5 years, with a specific focus on social related issues including job quality, living wage, freedom of association and supply-chain related risks. She has also been working on the recent development of thematic engagement programs for Mirova. Prior to Mirova, Manon graduated in 2020 from Grenoble School of Management with a Master in Management (Finance and Sustainability) in France, after studying in Shanghai, Kingston (Canada) and NYC.
Siddharth Samarth
Managing Director & Head, Sustainable Finance, CIBC Capital Markets
Siddharth Samarth has a banking career spanning over 15 years. He is currently responsible for building CIBC’s Sustainable Finance franchise. His focus is on advising clients on fixed income green and sustainable finance products to mobilize capital. In addition, he is an integral member in assisting CIBC build its sustainability strategy including commitments pursuant to the Net Zero Banking Alliance and the $300 billion sustainable finance mobilization goal.
Siddharth was a member of the technical expert group supporting the Sustainable Finance Action Council to develop a taxonomy within the context of Canada’s capital markets. He was also a part of the Climate Transition Working Group under the auspices of the International Capital Markets Association and a participant on the Canadian Fixed Income Forum’s Sustainable Finance Virtual network.
Prior to this role, Mr. Samarth was a part of the Power, Utilities and Project Finance team where he was responsible for the relationship development and management of clients in investor-owned Power & Utilities, Infrastructure Funds and Pension Funds.
Colin Saravanamuttoo
Executive Director and Canada Country Director-World Animal Protection, World Animal Protection
Colin (he/his) is the executive director and Canada country director for World Animal Protection. Colin has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, in addition to strategic roles in the private and public sectors. An engineer by training, Colin has spent much of his career growing brands and effecting transformational change through strategic engagement, often in global settings. A lifelong animal lover, Colin is inspired by the vision of a world where animals live free from suffering and cruelty. He believes passionately that World Animal Protection can achieve impact at scale through its ambitious system-change strategy and its pragmatic and solution-oriented approach. This approach is underpinned by a One Health-One Welfare perspective, fully acknowledging the interconnectedness of human, animal and planetary health and welfare. Colin lives in Toronto with his wife, Colleen, and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Colombo.
Maya Saryyeva
Interim Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Finance
Maya Saryyeva joined the Institute for Sustainable Finance (ISF) in December 2018 to support the implementation of the Institute’s core programs and outreach efforts. Prior to joining ISF, Maya worked in the international development sector, leading a number of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded governance and economic development initiatives in Eastern Europe as well as South and Central Asia. Maya is also pursuing a PhD in global development with a focus on sustainable finance. She researches the efficacy of global governance frameworks surrounding green bonds and sustainable initiatives.
Alison Schneider
Canadian Representative, CERES and Principal, Encompass ESG Corp.
Alison is an award-winning sustainable finance practitioner with a proven track record of success. She is the Ceres Investor Network Canadian Representative, Senior Fellow for GRESB, Director with Emerging Markets Investor Alliance, and Principal of Encompass ESG Corporation, a sustainability consultancy. Alison sits on the steering committee for Climate Engagement Canada and is an instructor for Canada Climate Law Initiative and the University of Alberta’s MBA program.
Alison was previously Vice-President, Responsible Investment at Alberta Investment Management Corporation (2011-2022) and established and led a world class RI program and team. She previously chaired the Shareholder Responsibility Committee for ICGN. Alison is a co-founder of GRESB Infrastructure (2015), the world’s first infrastructure sustainability benchmarking tool, and of Climate Engagement Canada (2022). Alison was awarded Canada’s Clean50 award (2021, 2020), & the University of Alberta Alumni Honour Award (2022) for her contributions to the field of RI, and is a published author.
Alex Side
Senior Principal, IMCO Infrastructure (Investment Management Corporation of Ontario)
Alex Side is a Senior Principal on the direct infrastructure investment team at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), an investment manager serving public-sector clients in Ontario with over C$73bn in AUM. He helps lead the investment team, oversees the active management of the direct infrastructure portfolio and covers the power and utility sectors. Alex is also a board observer for Pulse Clean Energy, a UK utility-scale battery storage platform, and is a director of NeXtWind, a German onshore wind repowering platform.
Before joining IMCO in 2020, he was a Principal with Connor, Clark ＆ Lunn Infrastructure, where he executed infrastructure investments and managed a portfolio of investments. Prior to that, he was a Senior Consultant for the Global Infrastructure Advisory practice at KPMG.
Alex has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from McGill University. He is also a CFA charterholder and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
IMCO Infrastructure (Investment Management Corporation of Ontario)
The Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) manages over $73 billion of assets on behalf of our clients. Designed exclusively to drive better investment outcomes for Ontario's broader public sector, IMCO operates under an independent, not-for-profit, cost recovery structure. We provide leading investment management services, including portfolio construction advice, better access to a diverse range of asset classes and sophisticated risk management capabilities. As one of Canada's largest institutional investors, we invest around the world and execute large transactions efficiently. Our scale gives clients access to a well-diversified global portfolio, including sought-after private and alternative asset classes.
Lovey Sidhu
Sustainability Specialist, Mercer
Lovey Sidhu is a Sustainability Specialist in Mercer’s Global Strategic Research team. She focuses on researching and analyzing sustainable investment themes across asset classes and sectors, and integrating these themes through investment solutions and strategic advice for clients. Her expertise lies in exploring investment risks and opportunities in Climate Transition and Natural Capital.
Prior to her recent move back to Canada, Lovey worked as a senior consultant in Mercer’s Global Sustainable Investment practice in London (UK). In her role, she advised Mercer’s European Chief Investment Office (OCIO) to deliver sustainable investment outcomes for Mercer’s fund solutions ($489B AUM).
She has over 9 years of multidisciplinary consulting experience spanning sustainability, finance, and risk management. She has led projects across Canada and UK/Europe on climate transition strategy and implementation plans, sustainability reporting, stewardship and engagement strategy, climate risk scenario analysis, and nature-related impact assessments.
Lovey holds an Honours Bachelor of Environment and Business degree from the University of Waterloo, with a minor in Economics.
Bruce B. Simpson
GP, Agetech Capital
Bruce Simpson is a global leader in Sustainability, building successful businesses through a focus on the triple-bottom line. He is now raising a VC and social impact fund called AgeTech Capital. The growing ‘silver tsunami’ from fast aging demographics is the greatest and most certain shift coming to our society and economy. AgeTech Capital invests in tech startups with non biotech solutions helping to extend health and wealth span to match lifespan, across 4 verticals: Aging in the right place; Caregiver support; Financial security and; Health/ wellness for older people. Prior to this Bruce spent 33 years at McKinsey, where he led McKinsey Canada and then cofounded and led the global ESG/Purpose practice, serving clients across multiple sectors, and pioneering thinking on how best to execute a stakeholder approach- with 40+ published articles, speeches and podcasts. He continues to coach boards and management teams to calibrate and prioritize ESG risks and opportunities, engage stakeholders, develop a credible, integrated narrative, and deliver measurable impact. He is a Senior Advisor to three distinctive Sustainability startups: Tomorrow.io a weather intelligence company, Quadfi; a fintech focused on financial lending to the underserved, and Re:Co a specialized ESG data/ service provider. He is a regular Chair of Responsible Investor events, and also brings decades of leadership in the non-profit sector, across environmental causes, plus health, diversity, social justice, human rights, education, and financial inclusion. He is currently global Vice Chair of Human Rights Watch.
Bruce is originally from Scotland, has a BA and LLM in Law from Cambridge University, and an MBA and MA in International Studies from Wharton and the Lauder Institute at U Penn. Much of his formative childhood was spent living with First Nations communities in Greenland and Nunavut, as his parents are arctic explorers. This early experience developed his interest in Sustainability.
Polina Sims
Managing Director - Head of Investment Strategy, Sustainability and Asset Management, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
As Managing Director, Head of Investment Strategy, Sustainability and Asset Management, Polina provides guidance, oversight, and support to Investments leadership teams, focusing on asset management, articulation and execution of investment strategies, and sustainability integration. Polina joined IMCO in 2020 as Head of Infrastructure and Asset Management.
Polina has over 20 years of principal investing, advisory and asset management experience. Previously, as Managing Director at CPP Investments with the global Portfolio Value Creation team, she was responsible for identifying and realizing value creation opportunities across the firm's infrastructure, natural resources, private equity, and real estate programs as well as leading governance and human capital topic areas. Prior to CPP, Polina was a Partner with BCG in San Francisco, Boston, and Toronto, providing strategic, growth, restructuring and cost efficiency advice to world leading companies.
Polina holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and an ICD.D designation.
Daniel Simunac
Co-CEO, Stonebridge Financial
Daniel joined Stonebridge in June 2023 and specializes in lending to commercial and institutional borrowers focusing on real estate & REITs, renewable power & infrastructure and founder-owned, publicly traded and sponsor-backed diversified corporates.
Prior to Stonebridge, Daniel was Principal Officer & Country Head at Raymond James Bank and Allied Irish Bank in Canada. He also held positions at TD Securities (TD Bank), Sun Life Financial and Travelers Canada.
He has a Bachelor in Architecture from Ryerson University, holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business (York) and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) completed at the Rotman School of Management (Toronto).
Stonebridge Financial
Founded in 1998, Stonebridge is a Canadian regulated financial institution and investment management firm focused on providing responsible private debt and capital solutions. Originally, co-founded with the assistance of Canada Life, Manulife and Industrial Alliance (which together owned 30% of the company), in 2021, Stonebridge became 100% independent and employee owned.
With $3.2 billion in AUMA, Stonebridge has cumulatively committed $8 billion in private debt since inception (figures as of 6/30/24). The firm manages various discretionary funds, managed accounts and other relationships on behalf of its financial partners. Stonebridge has helped "crowd-in" private capital – including insurance companies, pension funds, government agencies, municipalities, universities, foundations - the ability to assist with funding the development new social and sustainable infrastructure projects across Canada.
A firm of firsts, Stonebridge launched Canada's first infrastructure debt fund in 2012 (SIDF I) with over $200 million in institutional commitments, followed by its second fund in 2014 (SIDF II), which has grown to be 300% larger at nearly $600 million. These funds have averaged 38% of their commitments to Indigenous-owned projects. As part of the firm’s 25th anniversary, Stonebridge is launching its third infrastructure fund, which is targeting $1 billion in commitments.
Ajit Singh
Senior Associate – ESG and Proxy Voting, BMO Global Asset Management
Ajit is a seasoned corporate engager who has worked both overseas and in Canada with public issuers, specializing in climate, emission reductions, uptake of renewable energy and electric mobility, stakeholder management and corporate governance matters. Ajit joined BMO GAM in early 2023 to focus on proxy voting and governance, and climate-related stewardship activities and thought leadership. He leads several high-profile collaborative investor engagements with Canadian companies through Climate Engagement Canada (CEC), and regularly speaks with boards and management. Prior to joining BMO Global Asset Management, Ajit worked at Shareholder Association for Research and Education (‘SHARE’) as an engagement and advocacy specialist. Ajit holds an Honours Masters in Economics from Panjab University and an MBA from Schulich School of Business at York University.
Alyson Slater
Head of Sustainable Investment Canada, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management
Alyson leads sustainable investment and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities in Canadian public markets. She supports ESG integration across asset classes, leads issuer engagement on sustainability issues, supports new product development, and engages with clients and key stakeholders in Canada and beyond, Alyson brings over 20 years of experience to her role, with expertise in climate risk, sustainable finance, ESG data, inclusive finance, and a wide range of other ESG issues gained through her work as a senior executive at leading consultancies and international organizations in Europe and Asia. Alyson has specialist knowledge in sustainability reporting and disclosure through her decade as an executive at the Global Reporting Initiative, an international sustainability standard-setting body. She's currently a member of the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) and the Canadian government's Sustainable Development Advisory Committee.
Manulife Investment Management
Manulife Investment Management is the asset management arm of Manulife Financial Corporation, a global financial institution that has protected investor assets since 1887. We’re passionate about providing solutions; with leading capabilities in public and private markets, we partner with institutions to understand their needs and create tailored solutions to help meet them. We take a specialist approach; our focused teams are led by industry veterans with decades of experience managing their strategies on behalf of investors—an approach that’s led to a culture of investment excellence and highly differentiated strategies across asset classes. And we’re committed to investing responsibly; we develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our public market portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets. As of March 31, 2023, our more than 625 investment professionals working in 19 geographies, manage US$437 billion in assets under management on behalf of investors worldwide.
1 Source: MFC Statistical Information Package as of March 31, 2023. AUM is in USD. AUM includes assets internally managed by Manulife Investment Management on behalf of external clients, the Manulife General Account and other affiliated businesses. The methodologies used to compile the total AUM are subject to change and may not reflect regulatory AUM as reported on certain affiliates Form ADV. Manulife Investment Management AUMA at March 31, 2023 which includes US$436.87 billion assets under management and US$0.95 billion assets under administration. Manulife Investment Management’s global investment professional team includes expertise from several Manulife IM affiliates and joint ventures; not all entities represent all asset classes.
James Snider
Vice President, Science, Knowledge And Innovation, WWF Canada
James leads WWF-Canada’s Science, Knowledge and Innovation team, which provides the core science expertise underpinning our work in Canada. A key function of James’ work is to identify new technologies and areas of research so that our conservation efforts in Canada are at the cutting edge. Most recently, he was senior author of the WWF-Canada’s flagship Living Planet Report Canada 2020.
James has expert knowledge of conservation in Canada, including sustainable forest management, indicators and metrics of freshwater ecosystem health, and resilience of arctic ecosystems. He completed a B.Sc. at McGill University in 2005 with a specialization in conservation biology, and he has a post-graduate diploma in environmental impact assessment from Concordia University.
During his 14 years with the World Wildlife Fund, James has led key science and research projects through collaborative partnerships with academia, industry and government institutions.
Olaf Weber
Professor - CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance, Schulich School of Business
Olaf Weber is a Professor at the Schulich School of Business where he holds the CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance. He is a Senior Fellow of CIGI and an adjunct professor at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo. His research and teaching interests address the connection between financial sector players, such as banks and sustainable development and the link between sustainability and financial performance of enterprises. His research focus is on the impacts of the financial industry on sustainable development, the role of voluntary and regulatory mechanisms for the financial sector to become more sustainable, social banking and impact investing, the materiality of sustainability risks and opportunities for investors and artificial intelligence as a tool to analyze environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
Joy Williams
Executive Director, Financial Institution Net-zero Transition Plans, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)
Joy Williams brings a multi-disciplinary approach to climate change strategy. She moved from engineering to climate change and finance over 20 years ago and has worked in policy, strategic consulting, and the finance industry.
In finance, Joy worked at carbon markets firms as a subject matter expert and large asset owners such as Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. At Teachers’ she managed initiatives such as integrating ESG and climate diligence, the climate change working group, and company-wide education. She was privileged to have chaired a climate advisory panel for the New York State Common Retirement Fund on how to best mitigate investment risks stemming from climate change and maximize opportunities from the new, low-carbon economy.
At GFANZ, Joy led the work on the Net-zero Transition Plan (NZTP) framework a framework for developing net-zero plans that the financial sector and policymakers can use to increase net-zero transition momentum. She is currently leading work to integrate nature in support of net-zero implementation in the NZTP framework. Joy is a Professional Engineer and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst.
GFANZ
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) is a global coalition of eight financial sector net-zero alliances working together to support the world’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Through the net-zero alliances, GFANZ has united over 650 institutions across the financial sector, including banks, insurers, asset owners, asset managers, venture capitalists, financial service providers, and investment consultants, spanning 50 countries and representing 40% of global private financial assets. To help unlock transition investment in developing economies, GFANZ regional networks work to support capital mobilization, expand membership, and reflect the diverse needs of financial institutions around the world.
Wanfeng Zhou
Senior Sustainable Investment Consultant, Mercer
Wanfeng Zhou is a Principal, Senior Sustainable Investment Consultant at Mercer. She has extensive global experience in sustainable investing, investment management and financial journalism. Before joining Mercer, she was an ESG consultant at MSCI and advised leading asset owners and asset managers in APAC and North America on ESG and climate integration. Prior to this, Wanfeng worked in portfolio management and product strategy at Vanguard. Wanfeng began her career as a financial journalist for Reuters in New York, focusing on the global financial markets and the investment industry.
Wanfeng is a CFA charterholder and holds the CFA Institute’s Certificate in ESG Investing and the IFRS Foundation’s FSA Credential. She obtained her MBA degree from INSEAD and MA degree in Journalism from New York University.
Barbara Zvan
President and CEO, University Pension Plan
Barbara Zvan is President and Chief Executive Officer of University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP). She is responsible for realizing UPP’s strategies to deliver valuable, lifelong pension security, and service excellence to UPP’s over 39,000 members while establishing UPP as the pension solution of choice for Ontario’s university community.
Formerly the Chief Risk and Strategy Officer for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Barb is globally recognized as a leading voice on sustainable investing and an ambassador for defined benefit pensions. She was named Canada’s CEO of the Year and Corporate Citizen of the Year 2022 by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine in honour of her contributions and leadership in both areas.
A sought-after responsible investing expert, Barb was appointed to the Government of Canada’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance in 2018 and is an inaugural member of the Sustainable Finance Action Council, which launched in 2021. On the global stage, Barb played a significant role in creating the G7 Investor Leadership Network and was named one of 26 Climate Champions by British High Commission in Canada and the Canada Climate Law Initiative ahead of COP 26 in 2021.
She also serves on the boards of various organizations including the Responsible Investment Association, Climate Engagement Canada, and the advisory board of the Institute of Sustainable Finance at the Smith School of Business.
She holds a master’s degree in Math and Statistics from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University. She is a Fellow of the C.D. Howe Institute, a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA), and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA).