Beyond Carbon episode 15 explores the pioneering journey of The Russell Family Foundation to align 95% of its investments with climate and social impact goals, featuring insights from foundation CEO Kathleen Simpson and their advisor Brad Harrison of AlTi Tiedemann Global on how mission-aligned investors can maintain momentum despite political uncertainty.

Actors Will Attenborough and Leila Mimmack join Beyond Carbon and discuss their win in bringing sustainable investing to the UK artists union.

Chris Ito and Georges Dyer sit down with Heather Beatty, the CEO of ScopeFour Capital, for an insightful discussion on climate solutions in public equity markets.

Sustainable investing veteran, Jeff Gitterman, joins hosts Chris and George to discuss bridging divides in ESG investing and climate change debates.

Georges and Chris talk with a trio of students from Presidio Graduate School, who were members of the team that emerged victorious in the IEN’s 2023 Student Corporate Engagement Challenge in the Graduate category.

Georges and Chris discuss driving change through impact investing with Ian Fuller, CEO of the minority and women-owned investment advisory firm Westfuller Advisors.

Georges and Chris talk with Dr. Michael Greenstone on the significance of understanding the economic cost of carbon emissions and the tools policymakers have at their disposal to combat climate change.

Georges and Chris talk with plant-based food industry expert Elysabeth Alfano on her journey in the industry and her thoughts on the role of plant-based foods in mitigating climate change.

Georges and Chris talk with impact investor Tom Soto on his trajectory from civil rights activist to a leader in environmental technology and renewable energy.

Spotlight on Methane: Satellite Technology and Emissions Detection with Mark Kriss Georges and Chris sit down with Geofinancial Analytics CEO Mark Kriss and take a birds eye view on detecting methane emissions from space, mapping those emissions to oil and gas asset owners and driving methane management accountability and reporting transparency.  Guest Mark Kriss, CEO, Geofinancial Analytics Background Mark Kriss is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Geofinancial Analytics, a science-driven data provider whose civic mission is to accelerate the clean energy transition by informing decisions and business practices with transparent, objective facts using advanced geospatial technology. He is also the Co-Founder and Partner of Macroclimate, an impact investment firm which served as an incubator for Geofinancial Analytics. Kriss is a serial tech entrepreneur, impact investor, and thought leader on sustainability data and climate risk metrics. He first became intrigued by portfolio management in 1998. Conversation Mark’s career arc brings together the topics of climate science, technology and capital markets. Methane is by far the most potent GHG, and stopping methane leakage from oil & gas production is a relatively easy fix. Satellite technology enables a more accurate measurement than current practice and can help to identify and remediate the source of the leaks. Learn about MethaneScan® 100 Screening & Research: https://www.ffisolutions.com/methanescan-100/  For more information on Geofinancial Analytics:  https://www.geofinancial.com  

Georges and Chris have a wide-ranging discussion with impact investment trailblazer Jenna Nicholas, who takes us on her career journey through climate activism, community-informed impact investing and climate finance in 401(k) retirement plans. Guest Jenna Nicholas, CEO Impact Experience Background Jenna is a private equity investor and the CEO of Impact Experience, an organization that builds bridges and deep relationships between impact investors, foundations, corporates, entrepreneurs, artists and local leaders to co-create solutions for marginalized communities.   Jenna previously worked with Divest-Invest Philanthropy and has taken the lessons from that experience and applied them to help drive change around environmental and social issues from the bottom up.   Conversation We go deep on her work at Impact Experience, and she shares stories about the hands-on efforts in communities like Montgomery, AL, and southern West Virginia to bring together businesses, capital and communities to catalyze impact. Jenna discusses her latest project, the Business Climate Finance Initiative which seeks to raise awareness and decarbonize the assets in 401(k) plans and corporate deposits. Finally, we delve into the politicization of ESG and break down the recent U.S. Department of Labor ruling on ESG that has been the subject of considerable debate.   For more information regarding the activities of Impact Experience:  https://www.impact-experience.com

Chris and Georges talk climate and curve balls with major league baseball player Brent Suter. The discussion centers around how athletes can use their platform to raise awareness of environmental issues. Guest Brent Suter, Colorado Rockies, LHP Background Brent Suter is starting his eight season in major league baseball and his first for the Colorado Rockies. Brent is a left-handed relief pitcher, a self-proclaimed “tree-hugger” and board member of Players for the Planet. He uses his voice and position as a professional athlete to promote sustainability in the clubhouse and in the community.   Conversation Chris, Georges and Brent discuss the divisions in our society and the role athletes can play in helping bridge those divides including climate change.   Brent goes deep on the activities of Players for the Planet while also delving into the activities that teams and leagues can play in incorporating sustainability into their operations. He also shares his involvement with community-based programs like the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee, where he spent his first 7 big-league seasons. There’s a little something for everyone, including references to NIL, carbon offsets, the Bengals' DE Sam Hubbard, and how you don’t need to throw a mid-90s heater to be an effective major league pitcher. For more information regarding the activities of Players for the Planet:  https://www.playersfortheplanet.org.

Chris and Georges talk with Arizona State University CIO Jeff Mindlin about the journey to align investment practices with the sustainability goals and commitments of a large public university. Guest Jeff Mindlin, Chief Investment Officer of ASU Enterprise Partners Background Arizona State University is known globally for its leadership in sustainability, having been a founding member of the Intentional Endowment Network and the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3). Investment assets in ASU’s endowment are managed by the Foundation and are overseen by ASU Enterprise Partners. The ASU Foundation has steadily been working alongside ASU to elevate sustainable, responsible, and impact investing approaches into the endowment strategy. The ASU Foundation’s current investment priorities are centered on climate and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.   Conversation Chris, Georges and Jeff discuss a topics that range from the governance of the Foundation to implementation through the use of an outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO). Jeff shares perspectives on how various university stakeholders are involved in shaping policies via the ESG Sub-Committee. He also provides insights on the benefits of launching an ESG strategy through a separate pool of assets, the role of hedge funds in implementing climate strategies, and the incorporation of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) factors. For more information, see the highlights from ASU’s impact report released earlier this year: https://www.intentionalendowments.org/asu_investing_report

Chris and George talk with UVIMCO’s Cornelia Horner for insights on how one of the largest and most well-respected endowment managers committed to and is implementing a responsible investment strategy.

In their inaugural Beyond Carbon episode, George and Chris reflect on COP27 and discuss what makes them hopeful, and skeptical, about the future of sustainable investing. They also provide a preview of future episodes.