Lindsay Brent, Director, Debt Capital Markets & Sustainable Finance, Sustainalytics
Lindsay is Director of the Debt Capital Markets (DCM) and Sustainable Finance arm of the Sustainalytics Corporate Solutions team, responsible primarily for the Second Party Opinion business. She works with investment banks and other financial institutions and their clients during their underwriting/issuance process to provide guidance on sustainable financing solutions and impact reporting. With a decade of experience in capital markets, and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and an MBA, Lindsay’s unique combination of education and professional experience contributes a valuable perspective to the Sustainalytics team and her clients.
Prior to joining Sustainalytics, Lindsay spent the majority of her career at RBC, holding roles in Institutional Equity Sales, Equity Research, Portfolio Advisory in Wealth Management, Strategy Development in Retail Banking, and Machine Learning Business Development for the Trading Floor.
Jessica Butts, Principal, ESG Global Advisors Inc.
Jessica is a Principal with ESG Global Advisors. With over 15 years of experience, she works with clients, colleagues, and partners to identify and strategically manage a range of material ESG issues and priorities.
She leads projects across various sectors and markets – including energy and utilities, resources, finance, real estate, forestry, transportation, retail, and manufacturing. She is regularly called upon to speak publicly, brief executives, and facilitate multi-stakeholder processes. Her areas of expertise include sustainable business strategy, climate risk management, ESG disclosure, climate policy, carbon markets, and regulation across North America and internationally.
Prior to joining ESG Global Advisors, Jessica was a Senior Director with the Delphi Group, where she co-led the firm’s Climate Change practice.
Prior to Delphi, Jessica worked with the Climate Change and Energy team at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). She also spent time as a Balsillie Fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and has worked for the Parliament of Canada.
Jessica has a Master of International Public Policy degree from the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University along with a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pembina Institute.
John Cook, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Team Co-Lead Mackenzie Greenchip Team, Mackenzie Investments
John brings 30 years of experience ranging from mutual funds, venture capital and social finance. Before co-founding Greenchip in 2007, John was President of MaRS Discovery District, one of Canada’s largest innovation hubs. He also held a number of executive positions at Canadian mutual fund companies. BA from Queen's University; Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation.
Katie DeBartolo, Senior Accountant, Ontario Securities Commission
Katie DeBartolo is a Senior Accountant in the Corporate Finance Branch of the Ontario Securities Commission. In this role, Katie is involved in the oversight of public companies, including the review of prospectuses, continuous disclosure documents and applications for exemptive relief.
Katie has been involved with several significant policy initiatives including those focused on environmental, social and governance issues. This includes the Canadian Securities Administrators’ (CSA) climate-related disclosures initiative and, previously, the CSA’s initiative regarding diversity on corporate boards and in executive roles.
Prior to joining the OSC, Katie worked in the assurance and taxation groups with PwC LLP. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and is a member of CPA Ontario. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Valerie Durand, Head, Investor Relations & Corporate Sustainability, Air Canada
Valérie Durand is Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability for Air Canada. In this role, she is official spokesperson for Investor Relations, leads Air Canada’s philanthropy, environmental and social impact strategies, including through the Air Canada Foundation (a registered, not-for-profit charity which focuses on the well-being of children and youth). She also leads the Linguistic Action Plan implementation and the Linguistic Solutions team. She is responsible for the communication, integration and promotion of Air Canada's sustainability efforts, and all aspects of Corporate and ESG reporting.
Prior to this role, Valérie was Senior Counsel, Commercial & Legal Services Director. She was active in the general management of the Air Canada Legal Department and was responsible for supporting and championing the effective and efficient delivery of best-in-class legal services to Air Canada and subsidiary client groups, on matters of strategic importance to Air Canada.
Before joining Air Canada in 2007, Valérie held other legal counsel positions in the energy and construction industry, and worked as a flight attendant with Air Canada.
Valérie holds a Civil Law degree from the Université de Montréal and has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 2003. She holds a Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D), is an active philanthropic board member, and the proud mother of two girls, aged 10 and 5.
Michael Jantzi, ISSB Member, IFRS
Michael was appointed as a full-time member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in June 2022, effective 16 July 2022. He has 30 years’ experience in responsible investment and sustainable finance. He joined the ISSB from Morningstar, where he served as Managing Director of ESG Strategy. He is the founder and former CEO of Sustainalytics, an ESG research and ratings firm that grew to global market prominence under Michael’s leadership and was subsequently acquired by Morningstar in 2020.In 1992, he founded Jantzi Research and led a multiple-company merger that formed Sustainalytics in 2009. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Value Reporting Foundation and of the Principles for Responsible Investment. He has also served as a committee member of the Independent Review Committee on Standard Setting in Canada and as a board director of the MakeWay Foundation. Mr Jantzi holds a Master of international relations from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada.
Ani Markova, Co-Founder and Business Development, Onyen Corporation
Ani Markova is a Co-Founder of Onyen Corporation, an innovative ESG Reporting system for public and private companies, and is currently focused on business development for the organization.
With over 25 years of experience in the capital markets, including a successful investment career managing up to $2 billion of mutual fund assets, Ms. Markova has a proven track record in integrating macroeconomic trends, equity analysis, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessments into strategic capital allocations and risk management. As an independent board member of three resource companies, she has taken on board leadership roles, including chairing sustainability committees and serving on audit, governance, and compensation committees. Ms. Markova has expertise in finance, capital allocation, macroeconomics and commodity cycles and is committed to assisting businesses in transitioning to a decarbonized and sustainable future.
Ms. Markova is currently an independent director of SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSX: SIL, NYSE: SILV) and Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSX: CRE.V). She also served as an independent director of Golden Star Resources, which was acquired in January 2022. Prior to the acquisition, Golden Star Resources received the inaugural Mines & Money 2021 ESG Producer of the Year award. Ms. Markova holds an MBA from George Washington University in Washington DC, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Canadian Investment Management (CIM), Corporate Directors International (CDI.D) and Competent Boards (GCB.D) designations.
Jo-Anne Matear, Special Advisor to the Executive on Sustainable Finance and Emerging Regulatory Issues, Ontario Securities Commission
As a member of the Ontario Securities Commission’s Senior Management Team, Jo-Anne is the Special Advisor to the Executive on Sustainable Finance and Emerging Regulatory Issues. She has led several significant policy initiatives, including those focused on environmental, social and governance issues. For example, she co-leads the Canadian Securities Administrators’ (CSA) initiatives regarding climate-related disclosures and diversity on corporate boards and in executive roles.
Jo-Anne was previously a Manager in the Corporate Finance Branch, where she led a team of lawyers, accountants and geologists in the oversight of public companies, including the review of prospectuses, continuous disclosure documents and applications for exemptive relief. Prior to joining the Commission, Jo-Anne practised corporate and securities law in Toronto, Ontario and London, England. Jo-Anne received her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University and her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto.
Nathalie Megann, President & CEO, CIRI (Moderator)
Nathalie is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of professional experience, most recently as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs at Chorus Aviation Inc., a publicly traded aviation holding company, where she led the investor relations, corporate communications and public and government affairs functions. Nathalie has been a member of CIRI since 2004 and joined the CIRI Board of Directors in 2016 where she played an integral role as Chair of the Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committee during her initial tenure. She then held the role of CIRI Board Chair from 2020 to 2022 and played an instrumental role in successfully navigating CIRI through the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while furthering CIRI’s strategic pursuits.
In 2023, she assumed the role of Past Chair of the CIRI Board, and most recently served as interim President and CEO following the departure of Yvette Lokker.
Ms. Megann holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Advanced Major in Political Science and a Diploma in Public Administration, both from Dalhousie University. She is also a Certified Professional in Investor Relations (CPIR) and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors Director (ICD.D) designation.
Priti Shokeen, Head of the ESG Research and Engagement, TD Asset Management Inc.
As Head of the ESG Research and Engagement Team, Priti works to promote sustainable investments within the firm and throughout the industry. Her Team aligns the firm’s ESG approach to inform internal and external stakeholders on ESG issues across mandates, including producing ESG research, leading the firm’s active ownership efforts, and advancing ESG integration. She has extensive experience in ESG research, having worked at a major global finance company as part of the ESG research, ratings and investment solutions team.
She began her career in sustainability at a United Nations agency in Geneva, Switzerland, and gained work experience within the Indian chambers of commerce. Priti holds a B. Comm. with Honours from the University of Delhi, an M.A. in sociology from the University of Warwick and a Ph.D in Accounting and Finance with a focus on ESG Integration from Kingston Business School.She is also a Board member of the Canadian Chapter of Women in ETFs.
Renee Wei, Director, Investor Relations & ESG, InterRent REIT
Renee Wei is the Director of Investor Relations & Sustainability at InterRent REIT, one of the largest institutional apartment providers in Canada with over 14,000 suites in its portfolio. In her role, Renee oversees investor relations strategy and drives the sustainability initiatives for the REIT.
Prior to her current position, Renee was the Head of Investor Relations and Communications at a TSX-listed fintech firm, where she honed her skills in strategic communication and stakeholder engagement.
A passionate storyteller, Renee has seven years of experience as a reporter and producer at Bloomberg and BNN.