Solutionists Making Moves: November Edition

Welcome to this week’s edition of Solutionists Making Moves. 

From established ESG professionals to rising Solutionists, we want to share their successes and celebrate the achievements of those leading the charge in bringing net-positive solutions to the world. Here’s this week’s roundup of Solutionists making waves in their respective industries.

HSBC Asset Management announced recently the hiring of Christine Chow, appointing her as their new Head of Stewardship and Engagement, who will lead the firm’s responsible investing work and grow the firm’s research and insights in this area. Chow will focus on climate engagements that enable their transition to net-zero. Her position will be aligned with HSBC Group’s net zero strategies. The company said that Chow also plans to grow the Stewardship and Engagement team with additional hires in the coming months.

Hyundai Heavy Industries have announced two joint development projects to develop decarbonization technologies that will support global sustainability efforts. These development projects have been instrumented under the leadership of CEO Lee Sang-Kyun. The projects address green hydrogen production and offshore carbon capture and storage, both of which will be critical to achieve net zero. “We are pleased to leverage our expertise in the green hydrogen and CCS platform pathway for decarbonization offshore. These projects are part of our continuous endeavors and commitment to a sustainable future that is aligned with HHI Group’s ESG vision, “Beyond Blue Forward to Green,” said Won Ho JOO, CTO of HHI.

Deborah Orida was recently announced as the Chief Sustainability Officer of CPP Investments, a newly created position. As CSO, Orida will work with Chief Investment Officer Edwin Cass on ESG strategies in order to refine and introduce a road map for CPP Investments to “prudently navigate the fund as the world economy transitions to address climate change,” according to the release. Asset managers and other companies and organizations are increasingly hiring chief sustainability officers.

Withum, a national accounting and consulting firm, recently hired sustainable investing expert Joe Holman as Leader of ESG Consulting. Based in New York, Holman has over 25 years of experience in financial services, including expertise in ESG integration, monitoring, and support services for investment managers and a wide variety of other companies. Holman will lead Withum’s ESG practice, which helps companies develop and implement their own ESG practices.

L’Oréal USA has recently hired Marissa Pagnani McGowan as Chief Sustainability Officer for North America. “Marissa brings to her sustainability work a passion for the power of partnerships and collective action,” said Stéphane Rinderknech, president CEO of L’Oréal USA. “We aim to drive a complete transformation of our business — to be a leader and catalyst of change in the beauty sector and beyond,” added Rinderknech. “I firmly believe that we must act with even more urgency to address the social and environmental needs of the planet while preparing our business to meet the opportunities of our dynamic market.”