US SIF names new leader at a precarious time for ESG

Maria Lettini

Maria Lettini will take the helm of the influential group as sustainable investing has become a political rallying cry for some state leaders.

The major industry group promoting sustainable investing in the country, US SIF, has hired a new CEO, the organization announced Thursday.

US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment is bringing on Maria Lettini, who will replace the group’s longtime CEO, Lisa Woll, in mid-May.

Late last year the group announced that Woll would be stepping down in February. US SIF managing director Bryan McGannon is serving as CEO until Lettini assumes the role.

The leadership changes comes at a critical time for sustainable investing advocates, as ESG has become a political rallying cry for some state leaders and is all but vilified by Republicans in Congress. Last year, US SIF launched a site in response to attacks on the concept of ESG considerations in investing. That site, ESG Truths, came as some states blacklisted investment providers and began divesting assets from some.

Lettini has experience leading industry groups and working in sustainable investing advocacy. Most recently, she has served as executive director of UK-based FAIRR Initiative, which addresses risks and opportunities of animal agriculture and plant-based meat alternatives for institutional investors.

Lettini has also been a member of the Standards Advisory Group and Intentional Endowments Network. And from 2011 to 2016, she was associate director and head of Americas at the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.

[More: Congressional rejection of DOL ESG rule casts pall over measure]