Reflections on Dynamic Careers in Sustainability
These days, among news headlines profiling a torrent of anti-ESG/woke activity and a rolling back of DEI efforts, it would be easy for those involved in investing in a sustainable economy to be discouraged. How can we maintain optimism despite these headwinds? Is it possible to still have a fulfilling career in sustainable investing? And can sustainable investment advocates use their skills to have impact in other professional arenas as well?
While the present challenges facing the field seem uniquely amplified, overcoming challenges in our industry is not new. Join us on Wednesday, February 26th (5:30-7:30) as we learn from the experiences of two incredibly influential and impactful pioneers in sustainable investing.
Join WISE DC and the St Mark's Women's Investment Network for an inspirational conversation with industry trailblazers, Lisa Woll, former CEO of US SIF, and Christina Herman, former Senior Director of Climate Change and Environmental Justice at ICCR. Both have made significant contributions to building the field. They blazed new trails, and left a precedent that will continue to impact our world for years to come. Christina and Lisa have graciously agreed to share their learnings and thoughts about the future with our community.
Speaker Bios
Christina Herman - Christina coordinated the Climate Change & Environmental Justice work at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) from 2015 through December 2024, when she retired. She has 30+ years of experience with non-governmental and faith-based advocacy organizations on human rights, sustainable development and corporate engagement on sustainability and equity issues.
While on staff at ICCR, a 54-year-old coalition of faith- and values-based institutional investors engaging corporations, Christina managed a team working with members to reduce corporate climate risk in their portfolios. ICCR members encouraged a Just Transition to a clean energy economy, enhanced methane management and disclosure across the natural gas supply chain, adoption by companies of science-based targets for GHG emissions reductions, financial sector decarbonization, and alignment by companies of their climate lobbying and trade association memberships with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Prior to joining ICCR staff, Christina engaged in shareholder advocacy with Fortune 500 corporations on a range of environmental and health equity issues for a faith-based asset owner active in the coalition. She began her career in the early 1980’s working as a Mennonite Central Committee volunteer in the Philippines documenting human rights violations, and investigating the impacts of corporations on workers and communities. In subsequent years, she advocated on human rights, the international debt, and trade and development issues, before getting involved in corporate engagement. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, and is active in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. She holds an M.A. from the University of Oxford.
Lisa Woll - Lisa is a seasoned executive with 17 years of experience in building the field of sustainable investment, plus a decade plus working on domestic social policy, international development, and human rights. She is passionate about leading mission-driven organizations that create lasting, meaningful change.
Lisa’s expertise lies in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including boards of directors, the media, policymakers, and other mission-focused institutions. She excels at building strong, cohesive teams and establishing effective governance systems that drive organizational success.
Lisa currently sits on the board of the Meyer Foundation, which operates in MD, VA, DC and DE that has a goal of building power to achieve a racially and economically just Greater Washington. She is also a board member at the Croatan Institute, a national organization focused on leveraging finance to create pathways to a just economy.
About WISE
WISE is a community for people who identify as women to connect, grow, and share, with the purpose of advancing sustainable investing and women’s leadership.
About St. Mark's Women Investment Network
St Mark's Women Investment Network (WIN) , active for over 25 years, is a member of the National Association of Investors Corporation. NAIC supports investment clubs across the country with investor education, analytical framework, and publishes the Better Investing Magazine. WIN looks for good companies, especially those which are socially responsible, to invest in.