An ESG update and outlook with Amy O’Brien Episode 32
Episode Summary
ESG stalwart Amy O’Brien, who’s Nuveen’s global head of responsible investing, joins this week’s pod to talk all things ESG. Steve and Amy discuss the most interesting findings from the sixth annual responsible investor survey by Nuveen, such as past trends, reasons why investors are flocking to ESG in droves, the importance of measuring social risk and DEI, adviser opportunities, and more. They also get into ESG in 401(k) plans and Amy’s outlook on responsible investing for 2022.
Episode Notes
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Overview of Nuveen’s sixth annual responsible investor survey.
- Investor trends in 2021.
- How the climate disasters of 2021 played a role in investment decisions.
- Investors’ rising concern about social risk and DEI.
- Measuring social risk and DEI.
- Clients desire for advisers to educate on ESG issues.
- Advisers’ ESG experience can affect trust and loyalty.
- ESG in 401(k) plans.
- 2022 outlook.
Get your copy of the survey here
Expect a flurry of new ESG rules
ESG investing is about to get a lot easier
Guest Bio:
Amy leads a 20+ member team and is responsible for creating a holistic RI vision and unified framework across Nuveen and TIAA, partnering with internal stakeholders on implementation in day-to-day business activities. The framework establishes the firm’s overall RI philosophy as well as guidelines for incorporating RI disciplines in investment decisions and new product development.
Throughout her 25-year career in RI, she has worked on a wide range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and impact investing initiatives across TIAA. Prior to joining the firm in 2005, she served as director of corporate social responsibility at the Pension Boards – United Church of Christ. Previously, she was research manager at the Council on Economic Priorities.
Amy has served on the Boards of the Social Investment Forum (SIF), the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute for Corporate Responsibility (IRRCi) and the Steering Committee of the Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings (GISR). In 2018, she was identified by Barron’s as one of the most influential people in ESG investing.
Amy graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Boston College and an M.S. in Environmental Management and Policy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.