2021 Online Symposium:

Sustainable Investment in Retirement Plans: Challenges and Opportunities

April 29-30, 2021

The 2021 Pension Research Council Symposium on Sustainable Investment in Retirement Plans: Challenges and Opportunities responded to rising global interest in environmental, social, governance (ESG), and impact investing to generate positive impact while generating financial return. Speakers explored the pros and cons of pension ESG investments; findings will interest researchers, management/advisory firms, financial advisors, asset owners, and policymakers. Plan sponsors and analysts also discussed case studies from the US and around the world. Our April 29-30, 2021 Wharton online conference was by invitation only.

Conference Agenda

Please find the conference speakers’ bios here.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Introductory Remarks: Olivia S. Mitchell, The Wharton School

9:55 a.m. ET

Session I. ESG Objectives and Outcomes 

Moderator: Olivia S. Mitchell, The Wharton School

10:00 a.m. ET

Discussant: Witold Henisz, The Wharton School (video available here)

10:45-11:00 a.m. ET: Session Break

Session II. Evolution of ESG Investing in the Pension Arena

Moderator: Joel Dickson, The Vanguard Group

11:00 a.m. ET

Discussant: Stephen Zeldes, Columbia University (video available here)

Discussant: Jennifer Bender, State Street Global Advisors (video available here)

12:15-12:25 p.m. ET: Session Break

Keynote Presentation

Moderator: Brett Hammond, Capital Group

12:25 p.m. ET

Friday, April 30, 2021

Keynote Presentation

Moderator: Michael Orszag, Willis Towers Watson

9:30 a.m. ET

Session III. ESG Impacts on Pension Governance, Investments, Structures, and Reporting

Moderator: Julia Coronado, MacroPolicy Perspectives

10:10 a.m. ET

Discussant: John Sabelhaus, The Brookings Institution (video available here)

11:15-11:30 a.m. ET: Session Break

Session IV. Roundtable/Case Studies

Moderator: Raimond Maurer, Goethe University Frankfurt

11:30 a.m. ET

  • Nathan Fabian, Principles for Responsible Investment (paper available here, video available here)
  • Mike Garland, NYC Comptroller Employees’ Retirement System (video available here)
  • Anita Margrethe Halvorssen, Global Legal Solutions, LLC: “How the Norwegian SWF Balances Ethics, ESG Risks, and Returns” (paper available here, video available here)
Closing remarks: Olivia S. Mitchell, The Wharton School

12:15 p.m. ET