Conference – Page 2 – Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investing

Just Transition to Clean Energy: A Virtual Conference

September 11, 2020December 2, 2020Natalie Wasek

Seventh Generation’s 2020 Conference will look a little different than years past.

Rather than a member meeting of networking, a panel of speakers on stage, and members, colleagues, educators, investors, advisors, and friends, we’re preparing for a virtual panel discussion, donning the style of a “Brady Bunch” title screen we all have been experiencing these past few months.

The year, 2020, marks 50 years since the first Earth Day, and we are grappling with the effects of the climate crisis. At present, and in years past, SGI members urge utilities, among other companies, to publish decarbonization plans that meet Science-Based Targets (SBT) aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius. Without corporate action, this is seemingly impossible. Moving towards a low-carbon economy presents new challenges on technology and the workforce.

This year’s annual conference: Just Transition to Clean Energy will take place virtually on October 12th, 2020.

Joining us to take on the questions of “what is a Just Transition?,” and “what does it mean for energy providers, employees, consumers, and investors?,” are:

Tom Content (Moderator) – Wisconsin Citizen Utility Board
Vonda Brunsting – Director of the Just Transition Project, Initiative for Responsible Investment, Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Peggy Kelsey – EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, WEC Energy Group
Cari Anne Renlund – VP & General Counsel, MGE Energy
Christina Herman – Program Director, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
Bob Stone – Assistant Business Manager, IBEW Local 2150

These expert panelists will bring a unique set of experiences and remarks, challenging each other, and us, on the path to achieving a Just Transition. A social issue as much as a technology, climate’s intersection with human work becomes more apparent in the energy sector as the push towards electrification grows. We are lucky to have this great panel lined up for this event, and we look forward to learning all we can from them!

It would be hard to hold this conference and not mention the impacts of COVID-19 on all those affected. While we hope our virtual conference allows for the inclusion of those previously unable to attend, we hope all are staying safe and healthy amid this pandemic.

If you are interested in attending, and haven’t previously registered, please do so here.

The webinar link and information will be sent out via Eventbrite prior to the conference date.

SGI Board presents 2019 Fr. Mike Crosby Award to Sr. Barbara Jennings, C.S.J.

September 8, 2019September 11, 2020Chris Cox

The Board of Seventh Generation Interfaith coalition is pleased to announce that Sister Barbara Jennings of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet has been selected to receive the 2019 Fr. Mike Crosby Award. The award will be presented at the SGI annual conference on October 8. The Fr. Mike Crosby Award recognizes a person who has promoted a more just and sustainable world and exemplifies the passion and commitment of our founder, Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap.

Sr. Barbara was born in St. Louis, educated at Fontbonne College with English for Secondary Degree. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1967. Barbara has taught high school in Waco, TX and Kansas City, MO. She has also facilitated Religious Studies classes on the University level at Avila and Fontbonne adult MBA students.

Since 2007, Sr. Barbara has been working at Midwest Coalition for Responsible Investment, monitoring the shareholder activity of MCRI members in various companies such as Ameren, American Outdoor Brands (Smith & Wesson), Boeing, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Emerson, Johnson and Johnson, Monsanto, Merck, etc. She has served as Lead on Ameren, Boeing, and Monsanto/Bayer. She is active at ICCR on the Food and Water WG and the HR WG. She was Chair of the ICCR WG on Department of Defense companies. She served on the Board of ICCR for three years.

Barbara serves on the Board of Fontbonne University and Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, a neighborhood organization.

SGI 2019 Conference Will Make An Impact!

September 5, 2019September 11, 2020Natalie Wasek

As fall begins to make an appearance, we start looking to the weeks and months ahead. While not everyone likes to leave the summer behind, fall brings the excitement of cool air, crisp leaves, spices wafting through the air, and the annual SGI conference, this year on Impact Investing: Social Return on Investment on October 7th. This transition from summer into fall is the perfect time to evaluate the different impacts our institutions and we personally have on relationships, community, and society. How do we nurture what needs caring for? How do we help ourselves and others continue to grow and thrive? And, can our financial investments reap the same benefits while including this sense of intentionality?

We’re excited about the opportunity to listen to our keynote speaker, Seamus Finn, Missionary Oblate’s Director of Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation and ICCR Board Chair, and our expert panelists, who I’m sure will bring their opinion on the change of seasons, but more importantly will share their unique experiences and stories on impact investing.

The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) defines Impact Investing as “investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.” Imagine a world where our investments have an impact outside of solely generating a profit, creating positive change. Amit Bouri of GIIN, in an article geared toward faith based investors, explains:

Simply put, impact investing is investing to achieve both a financial return and positive, measurable social or environmental impact. It differs both from traditional philanthropy, which aims for impact but is unconcerned with financial returns, and from other forms of values-driven investment which aim at the avoidance of harm, but not necessarily the creation of additional, measurable positive benefits.

GIIN’s 2019 survey found that the impact investing industry is diverse, including many types of institutions investing in all asset classes. It continues to grow and mature with over $500 billion invested assets. Over 90% of impact investors report that returns meet or exceed their expectations. GIIN’s Impact Investing Guide provides an excellent background for our members.

We’re lucky to be welcoming George Hinton, Greg Lane, Salli Martyniak, and Ken Vander Weele to the panel, alongside moderator, Sr. Dorothy Pagosa to help us explore this topic. Our speakers and panelists will walk us through the purpose and focus of impact investing and all that it can hold. We’ll learn about their mission, motivations, takeaways, and advice in the growing market.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, George Hinton, CEO of the Social Development Commission (SDC) coordinates programs for Milwaukee County’s low-income residents. The SDC’s mission is to “empower people with the resources to move beyond poverty,” which they have been doing since 1963. Greg Lane, CFO of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, helps the sisters utilize their resources for the benefit of the common good. He has helped developed a mission-aligned impact investment portfolio and repurpose real estate according to need. Salli Martyniak, president of Forward Community Investments support “organizations, initiatives, and coalitions throughout Wisconsin.” They make it a priority to offer their loans and grants at an affordable cost to assist both the small and mid-sized projects and organizations. Co-founder and partner in Creation Investments Capital Management, Ken Vander Weele, will show us the global side of impact investing. Ken has worked in India, South-east Asia, Eastern Europe, and the United States investing in emerging market financial services companies that serve poor clients. His local and global work will show us the social return of impact investing around the planet. Finally, Sr. Dorothy Pagosa, Director for Social Justice for the Sisters of St. Joseph – Third Order of St. Francis and a member of SGI, will moderate the panel. Sr. Dorothy has first hand experience in identifying and managing impact investments in the midwest.

The event will be preceded by a member meeting and followed by a reception. We hope all of our members and friends will attend what is shaping up to be a very exciting conference.