RayJay appoints sustainable investing head

Raymond James has named a head of sustainable investing, the firm announced today. Samantha Trebesch, who previously led Raymond James’ private client group strategy and planning team, has taken the role and will help build out the group’s sustainable investing options for financial advisers, the firm said.

Trebesch is also one of InvestmentNews’ 40 Under 40 advisers for 2022 and is the national co-chair of Raymond James’ women’s inclusion network.

She began working at the company in 2017 and co-founded its sustainable investing advisory council the follow year. Prior to her work at Raymond James, Trebesch taught at the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Vietnam, and co-led the establishment of a microfinance organization that teaches financial literacy, the firm noted.

“Samantha’s expertise and passion in the ESG space, paired with her proven success implementing key firm initiatives, make her a clear fit for this new role and I’m confident that she’ll continue to add immense value,” Kim Jenson, chief operating officer of the private client group, said in the announcement. “As preferences around values-based investing continue to evolve among advisors and their clients, we are committed to growing our capabilities in this important area and providing access to leading resources and technology.”

Demand for sustainable investing options has been increasing among the company’s clients, according to figures it cited from its 2021 corporate responsibility report. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of clients invested in sustainable funds and ETFs increased by 48%. Among its advisers, 84% said they use one or more sustainable investment funds.