Topic:  ESG – What is this, how does it impact organizations and clients?  A diverse panel conversation on one of today’s hottest topics from an 

ESG CEO, portfolio management, sales and risk perspectives.   

Linda Giuliano | CEO and Founder brightworldesg.com

Linda Giuliano is the CEO and founder of BrightWorld ESG, a consultancy firm that partners with clients to integrate principles of environmental stewardship, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles into strategy, policies and processes to achieve measurable objectives beyond aspirational goals. 

Prior to founding BrightWorld, Linda held leadership positions at AllianceBernstein (AB) investment management.    Over the span of three decades, Linda was selected to lead a variety of strategic initiatives.   She was the firm’s first Head of Responsible Investing, where she created the  firm’s platform of ESG capabilities. She established a first of its kind climate education program in partnership with Columbia University. 

Prior to taking on ESG responsibilities at AB, Linda was Chief Administrative Officer of Equities, where she oversaw financial management, operational risk, technological innovation, and talent management. Before joining the Equity Management senior team, Linda’s positions at AB included serving as the first Chief Operating Officer for Alternative Investments, and the first Director of Internal Consulting. In both roles, she helped generate new revenue and saved the company ~40%+ in costs. Those who know her would say Linda thrives on challenges!

Linda is a Board member of the Sherman College of Chiropractic, serves on the Executive and Advisory Committees of the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, and on the Advisory Board of EcoAthletes.  Linda is a sought-after speaker on ESG topics and investment stewardship at industry events.

Linda earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan and a M.B.A. from Cornell University. She holds a certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business Strategy from the MIT Sloan School of Management. 

Alexandra Russo | Product Specialist Thematic Equity

Alexandra Russo joined AllianzGI in 2012 in marketing. She has held various roles in marketing, operations and investments.  Alexandra is now a product specialist on the Thematic Equity team while also focusing part of her time on research related to sustainable themes relevant to the team’s SDG strategies.  She has covered the Global Water fund for five years and has five years of sustainable investment experience.  Alexandra has a B.A. in Economics from Rhodes College.

Kristen Steigele | Lead Account Manager

Kristen Steigele is a lead account manager and a director with Allianz Global Investors. As a member of the Sub Advisory Group, she is responsible for leading a team of relationship managers who support the firm’s U.S. sub-advisory clients. She collaborates with key stakeholders within and outside of the firm in research, product development, sales, marketing, compliance, and operations in order to foster asset retention and growth. Earlier in her career at the firm, Ms. Steigele was an account manager within the institutional channel, developing and maintaining relationships with key clients. Prior to joining Allianz Global Investors in 2008, Ms. Steigele worked for Bear Stearns Asset Management where she served as a client account manager and Vice President for the Hedge Fund of Fund channel. Ms. Steigele earned a B.S. in marketing and international business from Manhattan College. She began her career in the investment industry in 2005.

Allyson Zubrin Wright | Lead Risk Manager 

Allyson (Zubrin) Wright joined AllianzGI in 2011 as VP of Learning and Development, then Global Business Manager for Legal and Compliance and now serves as a Lead Risk Manager, focusing on Operational Risk. Prior to joining AllianzGI, Allyson served as a Consultant at Development Dimensions International, a Talent Management consulting firm.  Allyson holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University and an MBA from CUNY Baruch

Erin Bengtson-Olivieri | Co-Chair Asset Management SIG | The FENG |Moderator 

Erin Bengtson-Olivieri is a strategic senior finance leader and business partner with extensive experience in transformation, maximize performance and growing organizations.  She was most recently CFO at AllianzGI US and held various CFO and leadership roles Deutsche Bank and D.E. Shaw.  Erin has worked across a variety of business models (asset/wealth/investment management and hedge funds) in both project and line roles.  She started her career at Grant Thornton focusing on financial services.  Erin has a BA in Accounting from Hofstra University. 

Jared Stephans | Co-Chair Asset Management SIG | The FENG

Jared Stephans is a market leading insurance specialist in the financial services sector and is currently Vice President for Alliant Insurance Services, the leading premier global specialty insurance broker. He is responsible for program design, brokerage, and risk consultative services. His coverage expertise includes directors and officers liability, errors and omissions, employment practices liability, fiduciary liability and fidelity, property and casualty, employee benefits. Jared has a broad range of senior relationships across the U.S. and London markets and his experience is a major asset in the prevailing insurance market conditions. He also has extensive experience working with multinational clients placing local policies in foreign jurisdictions. Jared has worked for major international brokers within leading financial institutions and mutual fund/ assets teams, and has extensive experience working with large complex financial institutions including mutual funds and investment advisors, hedge funds, real estate funds, investment banks, commercial banks, private equity firms and venture capital. Jared received his Master of Business Administration degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in finance and economics. He is a licensed Property, Casualty, Life, Accident and Health insurance broker. Jared currently serves as Co-Chair of The FENG Asset Management special interest group.