Gigi Norcross: My Five-Year Anniversary in Sustainable Investing

I recently celebrated a milestone – five years at Green Century°

Five years ago, I decided to make a significant career change. Before that, I had spent a couple of decades as a fundraiser and fundraising strategist for nonprofit organizations and political campaigns. The work was fulfilling and impactful, but I wanted to do even more to make a difference on environmental issues.  Future generations deserve a healthy planet.

I joined Green Century because I thought the firm’s approach to shareholder advocacy was the best in the business and offered a path toward generating an immediate positive impact for the environment. We just released our impact report on the last year in advocacy, and it’s an impressive set of results that follows many years of similarly impressive results – and it’s not just me who thinks so. Others have told us that Green Century “punches above its weight” in holding corporations accountable for protecting the planet, and I’m thankful to be part of this team.

I have learned so much in these five years, and so I thought I would share five observations:

• Sustainable investing is everywhere. I was hired by Leslie Samuelrich, president of Green Century Funds, because she was looking for someone who could help expand our investor base beyond New England, New York, and the West Coast. I’m located in Chicago, and I am responsible for the midwestern and southeastern states. I have spent a good amount of time building relationships with people in Chicago, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, but I have also traveled to places like Nashville, Indiana, and Decorah, Iowa. Investors who want to save for their futures while putting their money to work for the planet don’t just reside on the coasts; it’s been my privilege to have a job where I’m tasked with finding them.
  
  
• I think the controversy around ESG is misguided. Five years ago, I learned that making use of environmental, social and governance factors in your management of a portfolio may help to reduce risk. It’s a data point – it’s not screening and it’s not shareholder advocacy. Having previously worked in politics, I shouldn’t be surprised at what things get politicized but here we are. I’m sticking to what I originally learned. ESG is a data point, and it shouldn’t be construed as controversial. Check out this statement we released when the state of Texas considered legislation that would limit the ability of insurance companies operating in the state to consider environmental risks as determinative factors when underwriting property and casualty risks.
  
  
• Commitment matters. Green Century has been helping people save for their futures without compromising their values since 1991. That’s almost 35 years with a consistent approach to screening out the most environmentally dangerous industries and pressing the companies that we own to do better by the planet. We are not new to this, and our commitment has not wavered. In a growing number of investment options and a confusing landscape, our experience and consistency matters. As Leslie recently said, “We won’t stray from our mission because our values are baked into our DNA.”
  
  
• Our ownership structure is unique. We’re owned by public health and environmental nonprofits, and I believe this aspect separates us from others in the field. I’m proud that the profits we generate managing our funds go to organizations who are making a difference on critical issues, not lining the pockets of an executive c-suite. Check out this piece to learn more.
  
  
• The people in this field are inspiring. The pictures tell the story, and I have hundreds of them on my phone from the events that I’ve done with Green Century. I get to work with remarkable people every day, such as:
  
  
  • First Affirmative and US/SIF whose conferences provide critical information and inspiration
  • Natural Investments and Fair Planet Advisors, firms that are similarly committed to values-aligned investing
  • Financial Advisors that I get to support (James Brewer from Envision Wealth Planning, Sylvia Panek and Carrie VanWinkle from Natural Investments, and Fran Goldman from Frango Financial just to name a few)
    
    
• Obviously, my own team; they’re amazing!

Green Century’s team really covers a lot of ground – here we’re staffing events around the country, talking to and supporting Financial Advisors and speaking on panels. (Photo credits: Adrian Nastase, KeyMedia, Gigi Norcross.)

My first five years in this field have been quite the ride and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next! To follow along, frequently check out our website at greencentury.com for updated shareholder advocacy wins and materials, press releases and videos/webinars.  You can also subscribe to our newsletter.

This group toured the Green Era Campus as part of US/SIF Member Day in Chicago in June. I’m there, I promise! And I learned A LOT about the anaerobic digester on this campus that turns food waste into energy. (Photo credit:  Adrian Nastase)

Gigi Norcross is a registered representative of UMB Distribution Services, LLC, who can discuss investment options and strategies with your financial advisor.