Sustainable Investing - Virtual

“…We are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance… because capital markets pull risk forward, we will see changes in capital allocation more quickly than we see changes to the climate itself. In the near future – and sooner than most anticipate – there will be a significant reallocation of capital.”

Larry Fink
Chairman and CEO
BlackRock

Personal Benefits

This program will enhance your effectiveness in your professional role by enhancing:

• Knowledge of the latest sustainable finance best practices
• Understanding of ESG information and how to apply it in the investment process
• Understanding of investor expectations for ESG considerations
• Ability to analyze investment opportunities and performance through an ESG lens
• Understanding of approaches to integrating ESG considerations into the portfolio management process
• Understanding of the importance of engagement

Organizational Benefits

Organizations will benefit from their employees improving:

• Expertise in latest sustainable investing concepts and frameworks
• ESG analysis and assessment ability
• Understanding of ESG integration in analysis and portfolio management
• Capacity in stewardship and engagement

Content

The program covers the following topics:

• The major sustainable investing approaches
• Discussions addressing important sources of ESG information, and how to apply it in the investment process
• How to integrate and assess ESG information in investment consideration, risk analysis and credit analysis
• Integrating ESG information in the portfolio management process including asset allocation, security selection, risk management, and performance evaluation
• Evolving expectations for institutional investors in stewardship and engagement
• Stewardship best practices including goal-setting, progress monitoring, and reporting
• Strategies for proxy voting related to ESG considerations
• The role of collective engagement initiatives such as Climate Action 100+
• Working with case studies to bring concepts and strategies to life in practical application

Dynamic Virtual Classroom

Participate in the program from anywhere. Our online learning platform combines live, interactive video instruction with breakout sessions, panel discussions, and expert Q&A.

Our learning platform is fully encrypted, allowing you to connect securely from home, office or anywhere in between.

Virtual programs are designed to fit within your schedule, allowing you to learn new skills and immediately put them to work.

Session Leaders

Session leaders include senior professors from Smith School of Business and knowledgeable experts from industry. These outstanding teachers are constantly in touch with today's business world through real-world business experience, Board memberships and their own consulting practices.

Sean Cleary

Finance
Smith School of Business

Dr. Sean Cleary is a Professor of Finance at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University. He is the Chair of the Institute for Sustainable Finance based at Smith, as well as the founder and Academic Director of the Master of Finance program. He holds a Ph.D. in finance from the University of Toronto and is a CFA charter holder. He is a current member of the CFA Society Toronto Advisory Council, and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Toronto CFA Society and the Atlantic Canada CFA Society (where he served as President).

Dr. Cleary has authored 14 finance textbooks and has published more than 30 research articles, including several in top tier finance journals. His publications have been cited over 4,400 times and he has received several major research grants. His most recent research and educational interests focus on the field of sustainable finance. He is an Associate Editor for two finance journals and frequently serves as a reviewer for many of the top finance journals. Dr. Cleary regularly serves as an expert witness on cost of capital and capital markets.

Sarah Keyes

ESG Global Advisors

Sarah conducts climate change materiality assessments and climate change scenario analysis, works with her clients to set ambitious and achievable climate change goals and targets, and develops implementation roadmaps. She regularly presents to boards of directors on climate change and ESG factors and implications for corporate governance and oversight, and the link with financial and operational performance and long-term value.

Prior to joining ESG Global Advisors, Sarah was a Principal at CPA Canada where she produced research, thought leadership and guidance for companies to integrate climate change considerations into business strategy, risk management, governance, and reporting. Prior to CPA Canada, Sarah held senior roles at PwC and MNP working with the energy and mining sectors.

She is a member of the Institute for Corporate Directors Climate Strategy Advisory Board for the Canadian Chapter of the WEF Climate Governance Initiative. Sarah sits on the Board of Directors of Leading Change and Sustainable Buildings Canada. She has a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University, ISO 14064-3 Certification for Greenhouse Gas Verifications, and received the 2018 Emerging Leader Award from CPA Ontario.