Impact Investing: Reshaping the Financial Dogma

Sustainable impact investing can have a large effect on creating a better future for people and the planet. Not too long ago, the concept was introduced to the world. Today, it has become a household name in global finance for investing to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

In a very short period of time:

  • Sustainable investment forums were established to help investors mobilize capital to drive positive change;

  • Sustainable capital rapidly increased, with many asset managers offering a growing number of different sustainable products focused on key criteria from ethics to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) impact.

  • Private equity investors started integrating sustainable principles to create lasting benefits for their companies and communities;

  • Regulatory policy catalyzed growth and shaped the demand and sophistication of sustainable products. 

Join HarvardAE as we take a look at the challenges and opportunities of impact investing, and the role it can play in helping address global issues while generating financial returns.

Four consecutive Wednesdays, 2-3 pm ET 

February 3

Navigating the Basics of the New Normal RSVP 

Solutions to global challenges can only be achieved if investment capital is diverted into sustainable strategies. This session examines the latest trends in the financial industry in support of impact investing.

Moderator

Paule Ansoleaga Abascal, Director at Rothschild & Co Asset Management Europe, Head of Wholesale Business Italy and Head of Spain

PANELISTS

  • Francesco Bicciato, Board member of the European Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (EURO SIF)

  • Leslie Samuelrich, Board of Directors of the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF)

FEBRUARY 10

From Theory to Investment Practices  RSVP

Sustainable investment is rapidly becoming mainstream, with many asset managers offering a growing number of different sustainable products that focus on ethics and ESG impact. This session will examine the creation, management, and selection of sustainable financial products.

MODERATOR

Maritzabel Mayoral, ESG Research Project Manager at MSCI ESG

PANELISTS

  • Isabelle Millat, Head Sustainable Investment Solutions, Societe General

  • Andrew Parry, Head of Sustainable Investment, Newton Investment Management 

     

February 17

The Logic of Impact in Private Equity RSVP

The key to sustainable impact is integrating environmental and social considerations into every step of the investment process, from acquisition to portfolio management. This session looks at how private equity investors create lasting benefits for their companies and the communities in which we live and work.

Moderator

Carlos Vargas, Professor of Finance at EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey

PANELISTS

  • Benjamin Bornstein, Managing Director, Arctaris Impact Investors

  • Steve Grossman, CEO, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

February 24

Regulators as a Driver of Demand RSVP

Regulatory policy has made a significant contribution to the growth of sustainable investment. This session will look at how regulatory governance plays a critical role in shaping sustainable products' demand and sophistication.

Moderator

Carlos Vargas, Professor of Finance at EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey

PANELISTS

  • Alessandra Franzosi, Head of Asset Owners & ESG Investing, Borsa Italiana

  • Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO Financial Group

Impact Investing series is free for HarvardAE members who have a paid membership. General admission is $10 per event. Registration for each event is required. For more information email: info@Harvardae.org 

Membership is $49 a year. To join go to www.Harvardae.org/join.