Leading Sustainability

Episode 8: Leading Sustainability - Mark Hays (Glenmede Investment Management)

Tom Strelczak Season 1 Episode 8

In this episode of the Leading Sustainability podcast, I meet with Mark Hays, Managing Director and Head of Sustainable and Impacting Investing at Glenmede Investment Management, a privately owned wealth and investment management business established in 1956 with $45 billion AUM serving clients across 50 states in the US.  

 

Mark is one of the first guests on the podcast with a pronounced focus within the impact sector specifically, and he brings some much needed insight into the different areas of thematic growth focus for those seeking a career in this sector, how the US political backlash has allowed for true impact investors to thrive and what we can expect from the US election outcome in November.

 

Timestamps:

 

(01:02) Getting into investing and the path to sustainability

(07:55) Correlation between impact and returns

(10:13) Areas of thematic expertise growth within the industry

(13:58) The importance of social issues as financially material

(17:18) Political backlash as a filter for authentic impact firms

(20:16) Managing expectations and misconceptions around impact

(23:03) The nuanced impact of US election outcomes on the industry

(27:50) Generational differences in the views on sustainability

(30:11) What level of impact to expect with a career in this industry

(35:34) Advice to those starting in the industry and lessons learned

(38:02) Handling opposing views vs. tribal approach to sustainability

(40:42) The importance of mentorship aligned with career growth