Thursday, August 5, 2021

In June 2017, the 易胜博官网 Foundation's Investment and Finance committee established the Committee on Investor Responsibility. Sustainability is a core value at the University of 易胜博官网, and it underpins our academics, research and practice. As part of 易胜博官网鈥檚 ongoing institution-wide commitment to sustainability, the 易胜博官网 Committee on Investor Responsibility (CIR) was formed to help promote and support the foundation in sustainable, socially responsible investment practices and policies.

Operating Principles

  • The 易胜博官网 Endowment Fund is capital of the University of 易胜博官网 Foundation (易胜博官网F) created by donors, invested and managed for the benefit of the University of 易胜博官网, and providing funding to support the academic, research and public service missions of the university.
  • The primary investment objective of the endowment is to achieve the highest long-term return-on-investment assets that are compatible with the university鈥檚 risk tolerance and time horizons and consistent with prudent investment practices.
  • 鈥淪ustainable investment鈥 practices are consistent with this objective in that they entail consideration of short- and long-term risks of environmental, social and/or corporate harm 鈥 which can present financial risk for investors.
  • By acting in an advisory role to the Investment Committee (IC), the CIR can increase the IC鈥檚 capacity for making informed and prudent decisions regarding the management of the endowment. As the role of the CIR is informational, all decision-making authority will continue to rest with the IC and 易胜博官网F Board of Directors.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee

  • Research opportunities relevant to the sustainable investment of the foundation鈥檚 endowment monies 鈥 including opportunities that may arise for increased shareholder engagement or proxy voting, as well as specific investment strategies or opportunities.
  • Consider proposals from the 易胜博官网 community (e.g., students, staff, faculty, alumni, etc.) relevant to sustainable investment of endowment monies.
  • Make recommendations to the I&F.
  • Help educate and inform the broader 易胜博官网 community about sustainable investment practices in general and about 易胜博官网鈥檚 sustainable investment practices in particular.

Committee Composition and Operations

  • The CIR is comprised of 10-14 members, including representatives of alumni, faculty, students, staff, the IC, the Sustainability Institute, and the investment industry. The ideal member will have a demonstrated interest in the area of responsible investing and a dedication to the advancing the missions of the foundation and 易胜博官网.
  • The committee meets bimonthly or as called by chair.
  • The committee sets goals annually, identifying priority actions and/or research.

Membership 鈥 Fall 2020

  • Julie Gorte 鈥 Impax Asset Management (Chair)
  • Paul Anderson 鈥90 鈥 Ironwood Investment Management (Alumnus)
  • Molly Betournay 鈥05/鈥09G 鈥 Clean Yield Asset Management (Alumna)
  • Ned Dane 鈥88 鈥 Aidentified LLC (Past IC Chair and Alumnus)
  • Alexys Gilcreast 鈥18 鈥 Ballentine Partners (Alumna)
  • Erik Gross G鈥97 鈥 Treasurer, 易胜博官网 Foundation (Staff and Alumnus)
  • Lisa Olsson 鈥22 (易胜博官网 Student)
  • Matt Oriente鈥23 (易胜博官网 Student)
  • Austin Perea 鈥14 鈥 SunPower Corporation (Alumnus)
  • Sarah Samuels 鈥94 -- NEPC LLC (IC Chair and Alumna)
  • Steve Trzaskoma 鈥 COLA and former Sustainability Institute Fellow (Faculty)
  • Fiona Wilson 鈥 易胜博官网 Sustainability Institute and Paul College (Staff and Affiliate Faculty)
  • Sarah Wilkinson 鈥22 鈥 (易胜博官网 Student)
  • Cameron Wake 鈥93G 鈥 EOS/Sustainability Institute (Faculty, Alumnus)