ABOUT CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Navigating the "S" in ESG
While the "S" may be harder to measure, we can certainly see the impact it can have on a company and the risks it can present when ignored or mismanaged. We'll hear from a global company and how they are thinking about this from a broader "S" perspective.
Speaker
Renee Connoll, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and Head of Innovation HR Engagement & Inclusion, Merck KGaA
The Next Generation of ESG Data
As new forms of ESG and climate data emerge, and new techniques leveraging natural language processing, machine learning and visualization make that data accessible, we are on the cusp of a new frontier of innovation. However, using this data is not without its challenges. These unique and potentially powerful data sets may be inconsistent, difficult to use in an investment context, or lower quality once you dig below the surface. Our two experts in ESG data will engage in an in-depth conversation exploring their firms' approach to using alternative data, the most interesting data sets and insights they’ve gleaned so far, a frank discussion of the challenges, and a view to the future of alternative ESG data.
Speaker
Guarav Trivedi, Head of Thematic and Macro ESG models, MSCI
ESG Analysis & Integration – A Practitioner’s Perspective
In 2022 the acronym ESG has been called under scrutiny. While some concerns related poor marketing practices (greenwashing) are justified, much of the broader blowback can be due to a misunderstanding of what “ESG” actually is and the important role it plays in institutional investment management. With the state of ESG confusion spiraling into politicization and scapegoating for failed government policies, it’s time to refocus on ESG as a risk management tool within the investment industry.
Our panel of ESG experts will explore the current state of the industry and use CFA Institute’s “Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products” terminology recommendations to clearly define sustainable investment approaches as a framework for a deep dive into ESG analysis and integration. We will explore ESG analysis in the research process, portfolio construction considerations, team structure, and other topics. This session will address the criticism that ESG is merely a values-based exclusions strategy and outline how ESG can lead to better business outcomes and improved risk adjusted returns for investment managers.
Moderator
Andrew Wetzel, CFA, Managing Director, Sustainable Investing, F.L. Putnam Investment Management Company
Panelists
Michelle Buckley, CFA, CAIA, Portfolio Manager, Director of Multi-Asset Solutions, Boston Common Asset Management
Kristoff Nelson, CFA, Managing Principal, Director of Credit Research, Income, Research + Management
Rohit Shrivastava, CQF, Director of Equity Research & Portfolio Management, PanAgora Asset Management
Regulatory Reporting Implementation Part 1: European Practitioner Stories from the Field
In this session, we will hear from financial services firms operating in the EU-region who have recently published their first round of compulsory reports under
Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and other European reporting regimes that have come into force this year. Our panelists will discuss their process for interpreting the requirements, standing up their reporting programs, vendor selection and partnerships, data collection, and discuss what went well, what didn't go so well, and what's next.
Panelists
Annie Chor Joyce, Managing Director, Head of ESG, Amundi US
Max Messervy, Head of Sustainable Investment, Americas, Mercer
Whitney Sweeney, Investment Director, Sustainability, Schroders
Regulatory Reporting Implementation Part 2: What Can European Implementation Tell Us About How US Implementation Will Take Shape?
Using the discussion from the previous session our panelists will compare and contrast US regulatory reporting regimes, currently in draft form, against the European equivalents and discuss how the European compliance experience can give practitioners insight into how the implementation experience will be in the US. Finally, the panel will discuss what changes we can expect to the final rules and what preparations firms can start making today to accelerate their compliance programs (or position themselves to take advantage of this emergent data set when it comes into force in early 2024).
Panelists
Anthony Eames, Managing Director, Responsible Investment Strategy, Calvert Research and Management
Sarah Bratton Hughes, Senior Vice President and Head of Sustainable Investing, American Century Investments
Michael W. McGrath, CFA, Asset Management and Investment Funds Partner, K&L Gates
Max Messervy, Head of Sustainable Investment, Americas, Mercer
Disclosure Standards for Investment Products – Early Experiences
Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products were issued in November 2021. They serve as ethical standards for the fair representation and full disclosure of an investment product’s ESG approaches. One year on, our panel, representing a range of institutions, will share early experiences with the Standards - the experiential what, why and how from early adopters. We will also take a look at what’s ahead for the Standards.
Speakers
Allen Xiao, CFA, CPA, FCSI, Deputy Chief Risk Officer, Amundi US
Deborah Kidd, CFA, Director, Global Industry Standards, CFA Institute