The new generation of investors aren’t so focused on what’s most profitable to their pockets, they’re focused on what's profitable for their environment, social and governance.
Firms offering ESG investing could be the deciding factor for new investors. So, what exactly is ESG and how do firms gather the data for their investors?
With no U.S. ESG investing standard, financial firms are having to come up with their own standards and vetting process. Without these standards, how can advisors verify whether or not investors are truly investing in ESG?
In today’s episode, our guests, Zachary Dan, CEO of Act Analytics and Elgin Chau, Head of ESG Ratings of Act Analytics discuss how analyzing data and creating ESG ratings work, how it’s affecting the investor-advisor relationship, and how technology can help bridge the communication gap.
Related Resources:
- Blog | Test Driving Free 'News Analytics' Tool From ESG Platform Provider Act Analytics
- Blog | Sustainable Signals: Individual Investor Interest Driven by Impact, Conviction and Choice
- PDF | Sustainable Reality: 2020 Update
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Speakers
Zachary Dan
CEO | Act Analytics
Zachary Dan is the CEO of Act Analytics, a leading provider of real time ESG signals derived from trusted independent news to inform alpha and manage risk. Zach previously worked as a quantitative analyst and developed systematic strategies in the investment industry, where he honed his Natural Language Processing skills (NLP) and realized the associated opportunity for better ESG data. He holds an MS in Computer Science from The Georgia Institute of Technology, specializing in Machine Learning. He also holds a BSE in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Michigan.
Elgin Chau
Head of ESG Ratings | Act Analytics
Elgin is an experienced sales leader with a diverse background within the financial services sector. Over the course of his career he has gathered more than $2B in AUM globally. He began his career as a quantitative analyst on Guardian Capital’s global equity team in May 2013, where he was responsible for the research and design of their growth and dividend mandates. He then transitioned his knowledge of systematic, rules- based investing to Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management. There, he became keenly aware of the need for ESG integration in portfolio construction and the opportunities it presents. Elgin holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Toronto.
Sarah Johnson
Host | SS&C Advent
Sarah is part of SS&C Advent’s advisory marketing team, with her primary focus being the Black Diamond® Wealth Platform. Along with writing and managing sales enablement content, she also develops client communications, coordinates webinars, and portrays the value of integration through her work with complementary partner solutions. Sarah began her marketing career in financial services in 2009, holding roles at Atlantic Coast Bank and TIAA Bank before transitioning to financial technology in 2018 when she started with SS&C Advent. She holds a BBA in management with a minor in communications from the University of North Florida.
Trent Berry
Host | SS&C Advent
Informally known as ”The Voice of University,” Trent Berry joined SS&C Advent at the turn of the century in 2000, having previously worked in Support and Consulting before occupying his current long standing role as Advent’s Senior Instructional Designer As such, he is responsible for client and employee training for products such as APX, Axys, and Geneva. In his spare time when not working or perfecting French cooking techniques in his kitchen, Trent owns and operates Dreamrack Studios, a professional recording studio in San Francisco where he can be found producing and engineering music for various artists.