Sustainable investing advocate US SIF names new policy director

One of the prominent industry groups for sustainable investing, US SIF, has hired a new director of policy and programs, the organization announced Tuesday.

Filling that role is Rachel Curley, who previously worked for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division as a democracy advocate and as a program coordinator for Doctors for America. At US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, Curley succeeds Bryan McGannon, who is currently serving as acting CEO. McGannon, who was director of policy and programs since 2017, was named as managing director in November. He will still be involved in the US SIF’s policy initiatives, the group stated.

“Rachel has significant organizing, coalition building and public policy experience,” McGannon said in the announcement. “Rachel will help us continue to expand our policy capacity and influence at a time when sustainable investing is top of mind for many policymakers.”

Last month, US SIF named a new CEO, Maria Lettini, who is to assume that role in May. Longtime CEO Lisa Woll stepped down from the organization in February.

The leadership changes are occurring as ESG has become a politically divisive topic, with some Republic politicians casting it as a danger to democracy amid a broader culture war.

Sustainable investing advocates, including US SIF, have sought to regain control of the narrative on ESG, although opposition to it is likely to intensify as the 2024 presidential election nears, with some likely candidates making their stances on sustainable investing part of their campaigns.