2023 Agenda
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
1:00 PM - | Registration Opens
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | Opening Keynote: The Impact of Geopolitical Risks and Uncertainty on ESG
This year has seen an increased amount of global climate crises and political turmoil. This keynote will examine how this geopolitical uncertainty is affecting ESG factors and sustainable investing, including the impact of sanctions on oil and gas, the EU energy crisis, climate risks on supply chain, and what the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation means for Canada.
Speaker: Lois Tullo, CFO/CCO/CRO, Risk Management Faculty, Global Risk Institute
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Spotlight Session - The Culture of Impact - Transforming an Industry to Drive Both Profit and Purpose
Real Estate continues to be one of the most sought-after asset classes globally and offers the opportunity to drive meaningful change through an integrated ESG approach. This session will explore the path to building a wholistic and integrated platform to drive both profit and purpose through a corporate culture that anchors on creating financial returns for investors while generating meaningful social and environmental impact.
Speaker: Mazyar Mortazavi, President & CEO, TAS
Sponsored by
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Networking Break
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Case Studies in Carbon Reduction: Transition Pathways and Carbon Action Updates
Institutional investors and asset managers have made commitments to Net Zero in carbon emissions, but what do those commitments look like in action? This panel will provide case studies of success stories, as well as discuss carbon zero updates and innovative transition pathways strategies that go beyond the “divest or engage” model.
Moderator: Alexandria Fisher, Sustainable Finance Manager, Global Risk Institute
Speakers:
Kristian Knibutat, VP Impact Investing, The Atmospheric Fund
Juliet Rennick, Energy Policy Analyst, Pollution Probe
Bruno Taillardat, Global Head of Smart Beta & Factor Investing, Amundi
Charly Bastard, Analyst, Climate Risk and Issues, CDPQ
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Spotlight Session: Expanding What RI Means: Guidance to Implementing ESG Approaches
Responsible Investment includes a broad spectrum of ESG investment and Stewardship strategies. How can pension plan sponsors balance expectations on topics such as climate action and fiduciary obligations in formulating policies and approaches? BMO GAM experts will walk through best practices and examples, what to look out for in evaluating asset management partners and why stewardship on the systemic long-term risks of our time is more important than ever.
Speakers:
Rosa van den Beemt, Director, Stewardship, BMO GAM
Mark Webster, Director, ETF Distribution, Institutional Sales & Service, Western Canada, BMO GAM
Hosted by:
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM | Making an Impact: Investing with Intentionality
Investors have moved beyond impact investing as merely an ESG checkmark, and are now looking to be more engaged and intentional with their investments. This session will explore how investors identify relevant ESG issues during portfolio construction, the importance of examining the impact their company has on social and environmental climates, and how they set measurable goals to maximize returns while decreasing their carbon footprint.
Moderator: Eric In, Portfolio director, Impact investing, Fondaction
Speakers:
Martin Bélanger, Director, Investments, Western University
Marc Gauthier, University Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer, Concordia University
Adaora Ogbue, Investment Strategy, Equality Fund
Leah Nguyen, Chief Investment Officer, InBC Investment Corp.
5:30 PM - 6:45 PM | Networking Reception
Hosted by:
6:45 PM - 8:45 PM | VIP Dinner
Wednesday , March 8, 2023
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Registration/Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Keynote: Outlook: The Future of Sustainable Development and Impact Investing
ESG factors will continue to play a prominent role for companies and investors in the upcoming years. This keynote will provide predictions on Net Zero commitments, the outlook of carbon exit strategies, and some of the trends and troubles that will define the future of impact investing and sustainable development.
Speaker:
Kristina Inrig, President & CEO, Sustainable Capacity Foundation
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Spotlight Session: The Climate-Biodiversity Nexus: Investor Opportunities Inspired by COP15
Join Morningstar Sustainalytics for a panel discussion about biodiversity and climate considerations related to active ownership. Attendees will learn how to leverage the power of stewardship via climate and nature-themed engagement programs to support meaningful investor decision-making.
Speakers:
Ruthann Bartello, Director, Client Relations, Morningstar Sustainalytics
Trevor David, CFA, Director, Client Relations, Sustainalytics
Natasha Stromberg, Head of Sustainable Stewardship, Mackenzie Investments
Hosted by:
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Not So Private: ESG Transparency and Practices in Private Equity and Venture Capital
Private equity continues to be a lucrative investment, but the returns often come with risks to ESG factors. The push for stronger ESG metrics led to the ESG Data Convergence Initiative, but investors still face challenges with impact investing in private markets. This session will ask and answer the questions around these issues, including: How can investors ethically invest in international funds with the geological shocks and government changes, should private equity firms be investing in more social impact funds, and how are ESG metrics being measured in venture capital?
Moderator: Sabrina Ladha, VP, Portfolio & Investment, LEAP | Pecaut Centre for Social Impact
Speakers:
Kookai Chaimahawong, ESG Partner, UpperStage Capital
Kathryn Wortsman, Managing Partner, Amplify Capital
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM | Networking Break
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | I+ESG – Coast Funds’ Evolution in ESG and Impact Investing
Join us for this session where Coast Funds will present their journey into investing in accordance with their values, and discuss the impact of these important decisions.
Speaker: Eddy Adra, CEO, Coast Funds
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM | The Social is ESSential: DEI Best Practices and Talent Retention Strategies
The Social aspect of ESG is often overlooked as investors focus on sustainable investing and the stakeholders demand more transparency in governance, but companies cannot afford to overlook this essential component. Join us for this panel where DEI experts will advise on actionable strategies for effective DEI initiatives, how to implement these initiatives with intentionality, and the need for intersectionality in measuring DEI metrics. This panel will also provide successful examples of how companies are retaining talent and keeping their employees engaged.
Moderator: Denine Das, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Infrastructure Ontario
Speakers:
Michael Kaneva, Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, OPTrust
Brandy Ryan, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Canada Post
Manon Lantoin, Sustainability Advisor, CDPQ
Mari Brossard, Principal, ESG, Sagard
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM | The Grass Isn’t Greener: Polarization, Politics and the Rise of Anti-ESG Laws
While many institutional investors now consider ESG table stakes, the acronym is not without controversy. The issues are more polarizing than ever, with the rise of anti-ESG laws and corporations claiming political agenda to push back on ESG initiatives. How is this affecting the decisions investment managers are making? How are ESG advocates rising to these challenges, and how are they combating greenwashing? What is the negative impact of polarization on governance, as there cannot be standardization without harmonization? This session will discuss these questions and more!
Moderator:
Heather Lang, Principal, ESG Global Advisor
Speakers:
Julie Segal, Senior Manager, Climate Finance, Environmental Defence
Devika Shah, Executive Director, Environment Funders Canada
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | Networking Lunch
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM | Building Resilience: Innovations in Sustainable Infrastructure & Climate Stress Tested Real Estate
Join us for this informative panel where industry experts will present case studies in sustainable infrastructure, provide examples of innovations in climate stress tested real estate, and offer solutions on how to mitigate climate related risks, both physical and transitional.
Moderator: Anil Wijesooriya, Director, Restoration and Infrastructure, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Speakers:
Vincent Felteau, Senior Director, Responsible Investment, Private Markets, PSP Investments
Erkan Yonder, Associate Professor of Real Estate and Finance at Concordia University - John Molson School of Business
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Rules and Regulations – ESG & Sustainable Investing in a Changing Regulatory Landscape
Governance is now being pulled into the spotlight as stakeholders are applying more pressure on institutional investors to be transparent in their ESG data, increase diversity in their trustee boards and executive teams, and to expand sustainable allocation. This panel will deep dive into the changing regulatory landscape, including how regulatory mandates are affecting investors, the governance implications of evolving social issues, how to close data gaps, and the need for assurance in ESG audits.
Moderator: Natalia Back, Independent Environmental and Regulatory Lawyer
Speakers:
Sanjeev Dhawan, Senior Legal Counsel, Hydro One Networks Inc.
Rekha Menon, Deputy Director, Anglican Church of Canada - Pension Office
Rosa van den Beemt, Director, Stewardship, BMO GAM