The Anti-ESG Movement: Combating the Attack on Business & Impact Investing

In anticipation of the forthcoming in Berkeley, join the and for a panel discussion, refreshments, and networking!

Climate and shareholder activists are leading a growing movement for investors to put their money in companies with sustainable business practices or ESG standards- standards that considers how a company is run, the working conditions in its supply chain, its carbon footprint, etc. Investor action has moved business to make changes that align with investor interest in these topics. A focus on stakeholder interests has moved business to adopt net zero targets, DEI, sustainable supply chains, and more responsible practices.

Why then are ESG and sustainable investing and business practices under attack when investing in companies that are forward thinking has also aligned with better risk adjusted financial return? In this session, our panel of experts will tackle this question and what can be done to combat the Anti-ESG movement.

And attend more content like this on November 29-December 1 in Berkeley, CA at the ! Early Bird tickets won't last for long, so register today!

SPEAKERS

Andrew Behar, CEO, As You Sow

Andrew Behar is CEO of As You Sow, the nation’s leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. With a 30-year track record of success, As You Sow advances values-aligned investing and uses shareholder power to compel companies to reduce material risk on issues including climate change; toxins in the food system; ocean plastics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; racial justice; and wage equity. Previously Andrew was a documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur founding start-ups that developed innovative physiological monitoring devices and grid-scale fuel cells. He is an inventor on five patents and was recently named as one of the Purposeful-50 “true changemakers who deliver on social justice, environmental protection, diversity, inclusion, racial equality, and gender and pay equity.” He is currently on the board of the Responsible Sourcing Network. His book, The Shareholders Action Guide: Unleash Your Hidden Powers to Hold Corporations Accountable, was published by Berrett-Koehler.

Janine Firpo, Co-Founder, Invest for Better

Janine Firpo is a seasoned values-aligned investor and social innovator, with a long history of working at the intersection of women and their money. From the early years of Apple Computer to senior positions with Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Janine has always found herself making an impact. In 2017 she left a successful 35-year career in technology and international development to focus on how women can create a more just and equitable society through their financial investments.

Her book, Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World, was a collaborative effort with almost 150 women. Janine walks her talk. She is taking action to move all her own assets into investments she feels good about and is watching them grow with market-rate returns. She is also a lead investor in Next Wave Impact, an impact fund designed to help more women become angel investors. And, she chairs the board of Zebras Unite, an organization that is developing the capital structures, community, and culture that non-unicorn start-up businesses need to thrive.

Kristin Hull, Founder and CEO, Nia Impact Capital

Kristin is founder and CEO of Nia Impact Capital, a women-led Registered Investment Advisor leading the charge to change the face of finance by hiring and training women and people of color in sustainable and transformative investing. Kristin founded Nia Global Solutions, a gender-lens portfolio of solutions-focused companies, in her efforts to bring impact investing into the public markets.

An impact Investor since 2007, Kristin oversaw the investment process for the first family foundations as they moved their endowment assets into 100% alignment with their philanthropic mission. In 2010 Kristin went on to found Nia Community, a 100% mission-aligned impact investment fund focused on social change and environmental sustainability in her hometown of Oakland, California.

Kristin is a co-founder of the North Oakland Community Charter School, and served on the founding board of George Mark Children’s House. Prior to devoting her career to transforming our financial system, Kristin was a full-time educator, teaching bilingual classes in Oakland and San Francisco. She earned her PhD in Education at University of California, Berkeley, her Masters in Research in Bilingual Education from Stanford University and her BA and teaching credentials from Tufts University.

Darya Allen-Attar, Financial Advisor, Investing with Impact Director, Lending Specialist, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Darya Allen-Attar is a highly accomplished Financial Advisor in the Santa Monica, California, office of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She has been with the firm for more than 30 years, placing her among the longest serving women at one of the world’s most respected financial institutions. Darya is among an exclusive group of advisors who have earned Morgan Stanley’s highly coveted designation of Impact Director. In this role, she advises like-minded clients who want to align their portfolios with their core values and principles.

Darya has made numerous contributions to the industry and her community. She has led several nonprofit organizations, including the Women Founders Network, The Women Founders Education Foundation and Advisors in Philanthropy Los Angeles. She has received numerous honors for her leadership. Most recently, in 2021, she received the Visionary Award from the Southern California Leadership Network for her work with Impact Investing as well as for her contributions to the Women Founders Network.

LOCATION

Hanson Bridgett Office

425 Market Street, 26th Floor

Parking garage in building. More info: https://425marketstreet.info/main.cfm?sid=bamenities&pid=pgarage

NOT AN ASBN MEMBER BUT WANT TO BE?

We welcome you to join the American Sustainable Business Network! Join over 700+ businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers working to build a more just and sustainable economy for all.

Member Benefits:

+ Connecting with likeminded organizations like those above

+ Sign onto the policy work we are fighting for

+ Access to ASBN Working Groups

+ Share your news/updates with the entire network

+ Discounted and exclusive passes to ASBN Conference and member events

+ Access to Investors Circle for accredited impact investors

+ Featured on ASBN website and membership seal for you to publish on your website, email signature, etc.

Sign up here

We are happy to share more about the benefits of belonging to our organization on a brief introductory call. Feel free to schedule a time that works for you here

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hanson Bridgett LLP, 425 Market Street, San Francisco, United States