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Speaker Resumes
Speaker Resumes
I. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Mikan van Zanten, Partner.
Robeco Private Equity.
Mr. Van Zanten is chair of the Allocation Committee of Robeco Private Equity, which determines the allocation of capital to investment opportunities. He is responsible for primary investments in North America and global secondary investments, spearheads private equity's quantitative research efforts, and serves on the advisory board of a number of private equity funds in Robeco's current portfolio. Prior to joining Robeco in 2000, Mr. Van Zanten was in the private equity division of the Dutch pension fund ABP, where he was involved in the building of ABP's private equity portfolio. He conducted research in the listed equities department, concentrating on the development of quantitative stock selection models. Mr. Van Zanten received an M.Sc. in Econometrics and Operations Research, with a specialization in quantitative Finance from Tilburg University. He has published papers in the field of quantitative private equity research, has continued his executive education at INSEAD, is a CFA-charter holder, and is a past-President of the CFA Society of the Netherlands.
Mr. Van Zanten is chair of the Allocation Committee of Robeco Private Equity, which determines the allocation of capital to investment opportunities. He is responsible for primary investments in North America and global secondary investments, spearheads private equity's quantitative research efforts, and serves on the advisory board of a number of private equity funds in Robeco's current portfolio. Prior to joining Robeco in 2000, Mr. Van Zanten was in the private equity division of the Dutch pension fund ABP, where he was involved in the building of ABP's private equity portfolio. He conducted research in the listed equities department, concentrating on the development of quantitative stock selection models. Mr. Van Zanten received an M.Sc. in Econometrics and Operations Research, with a specialization in quantitative Finance from Tilburg University. He has published papers in the field of quantitative private equity research, has continued his executive education at INSEAD, is a CFA-charter holder, and is a past-President of the CFA Society of the Netherlands.
Tatiana Bosteels
Hermes Real Estate
Tatiana Bosteels is responsible for developing and implementing Hermes Real Estate's Responsible Property Investment strategy. Hermes Real Estate is a leading Fund Manager in the UK. Tatiana's work focuses on mitigating impacts and enhancing opportunities of existing urban environments. Her experience lies in developing innovative climate change and sustainability programmes through public private partnerships. Previously, Tatiana has contributed to the London Climate Change Action Plan and delivered the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) a collaboration of leading UK commercial property owners and London's Government. Previously she provided policy advised and implemented Kyoto Protocol mechanisms and Emission Trading Schemes. Tatiana is the Chair of the BBP Sustainability Benchmarks working group. She sits in the World World Future Council Commission on Cities and Climate Change.
Hermes Real Estate - Valuing Sustainability. Rating our assets to enhance performance. We believe that sustainability will significantly impact future property values and, therefore, prospective total returns. Consequently, we place RPI at the core of our investment strategy.
Tatiana Bosteels is responsible for developing and implementing Hermes Real Estate's Responsible Property Investment strategy. Hermes Real Estate is a leading Fund Manager in the UK. Tatiana's work focuses on mitigating impacts and enhancing opportunities of existing urban environments. Her experience lies in developing innovative climate change and sustainability programmes through public private partnerships. Previously, Tatiana has contributed to the London Climate Change Action Plan and delivered the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) a collaboration of leading UK commercial property owners and London's Government. Previously she provided policy advised and implemented Kyoto Protocol mechanisms and Emission Trading Schemes. Tatiana is the Chair of the BBP Sustainability Benchmarks working group. She sits in the World World Future Council Commission on Cities and Climate Change.
Hermes Real Estate - Valuing Sustainability. Rating our assets to enhance performance. We believe that sustainability will significantly impact future property values and, therefore, prospective total returns. Consequently, we place RPI at the core of our investment strategy.
II. INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, IMPLEMENTATION, & RESULTS
Sam Pierce
President & CEO of IW Financial
Mr. Pierce co-founded IdealsWork and was instrumental in transitioning the company in 2004 from its original design as a responsible shopping website for consumers to IW Financial, a provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) products and services to the financial services market. Under Mr. Pierce's leadership, IW Financial has become a top provider of ESG research and analytics. The firm delivers patented, best in breed technology and ESG research on more than 3,500 domestic companies to more than 100 clients globally. Sam has more than 15 years of experience in gathering and utilizing corporate ESG data and analysis in a number of roles within the investment industry.
Immediately prior to joining the IdealsWork, Sam served as the Director of Socially Responsible Research for Proxy Monitor's Socially Responsible Investor Services division. In addition, he was formerly a Senior Research Analyst and Vice President at Citizens Funds, Inc., where he determined, and supervised the review of, the suitability of proposed portfolio companies held in the funds of that socially responsible investment company. While at Citizens, he also managed the planning and implementation of direct shareholder activism initiatives. Sam cut his teeth in the investment management business at Wellington Management Company where he was formerly an Assistant Vice President in the Regulatory Affairs Department. Mr. Pierce earned his B.A. from Harvard University in 1990.
Mr. Pierce co-founded IdealsWork and was instrumental in transitioning the company in 2004 from its original design as a responsible shopping website for consumers to IW Financial, a provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) products and services to the financial services market. Under Mr. Pierce's leadership, IW Financial has become a top provider of ESG research and analytics. The firm delivers patented, best in breed technology and ESG research on more than 3,500 domestic companies to more than 100 clients globally. Sam has more than 15 years of experience in gathering and utilizing corporate ESG data and analysis in a number of roles within the investment industry.
Immediately prior to joining the IdealsWork, Sam served as the Director of Socially Responsible Research for Proxy Monitor's Socially Responsible Investor Services division. In addition, he was formerly a Senior Research Analyst and Vice President at Citizens Funds, Inc., where he determined, and supervised the review of, the suitability of proposed portfolio companies held in the funds of that socially responsible investment company. While at Citizens, he also managed the planning and implementation of direct shareholder activism initiatives. Sam cut his teeth in the investment management business at Wellington Management Company where he was formerly an Assistant Vice President in the Regulatory Affairs Department. Mr. Pierce earned his B.A. from Harvard University in 1990.
Concerning: McIlhenny Company
Brian Milder
Director of Strategy and Innovation. Root Capital.
Mr. Milder coordinates organizational strategy and develops new markets and financial products for expanding Root Capital's loan fund for small and growing business in Latin America and Africa. Previously, he served as Boston Site Director for Project HEALTH, a national nonprofit organization that connects low-income families to the resources they need to be healthy. He also worked in Chile as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Nonprofit Enterprise and Self-sustainability Team (NESsT), which operates a venture fund to incubate sustainable social enterprises. Mr. Milder holds a B.A. in social studies magna cum laude from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Recent publications include case studies for Harvard Business School on food security in Sub-Saharan Africa and horticulture supply chains linking East African producers to European supermarkets, an article on value chain finance in the journal Enterprise Development and Microfinance, and a chapter on finance for ecotourism businesses in the Galapagos Islands for the forthcoming book Conservation Capital in the Americas. He is fluent in Spanish and is on the Board of Directors of Patagonia Sur Foundation and the Advisory Board for Rooted Foods.
Mr. Milder coordinates organizational strategy and develops new markets and financial products for expanding Root Capital's loan fund for small and growing business in Latin America and Africa. Previously, he served as Boston Site Director for Project HEALTH, a national nonprofit organization that connects low-income families to the resources they need to be healthy. He also worked in Chile as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Nonprofit Enterprise and Self-sustainability Team (NESsT), which operates a venture fund to incubate sustainable social enterprises. Mr. Milder holds a B.A. in social studies magna cum laude from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Recent publications include case studies for Harvard Business School on food security in Sub-Saharan Africa and horticulture supply chains linking East African producers to European supermarkets, an article on value chain finance in the journal Enterprise Development and Microfinance, and a chapter on finance for ecotourism businesses in the Galapagos Islands for the forthcoming book Conservation Capital in the Americas. He is fluent in Spanish and is on the Board of Directors of Patagonia Sur Foundation and the Advisory Board for Rooted Foods.
Gregory F. Huger
Managing Partner. Ayrlie Partners.
Gregory Huger, is Managing Partner and Founder of Ayrlie Partners LLC, an international consulting firm specialized in Corporate Social Responsibility. Ayrlie's focus includes: sustainable supply chains, financial sector CSR, sustainable low income communities and public-private partnerships. Prior to starting his own firm, Greg led Unocal's five year transformation to strategically proactive corporate citizenship to ensure global reputation and business continuity. His team, now associates of Ayrlie Partners, enabled that company to maintain its presence in challenging socio-political environments where it must work to develop oil and gas resources. He spent one year with Bechtel in Iraq managing the relationship between the company and Iraqi communities and subcontractors. Greg was a Minister Counsellor in the US Foreign Service serving with USAID and the Peace Corps for 23 years mostly in field positions in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Central and South America and Africa. He also held regional management positions with Deere & Company in South America and Europe for seven years. Greg speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Russian and English.
Gregory Huger, is Managing Partner and Founder of Ayrlie Partners LLC, an international consulting firm specialized in Corporate Social Responsibility. Ayrlie's focus includes: sustainable supply chains, financial sector CSR, sustainable low income communities and public-private partnerships. Prior to starting his own firm, Greg led Unocal's five year transformation to strategically proactive corporate citizenship to ensure global reputation and business continuity. His team, now associates of Ayrlie Partners, enabled that company to maintain its presence in challenging socio-political environments where it must work to develop oil and gas resources. He spent one year with Bechtel in Iraq managing the relationship between the company and Iraqi communities and subcontractors. Greg was a Minister Counsellor in the US Foreign Service serving with USAID and the Peace Corps for 23 years mostly in field positions in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Central and South America and Africa. He also held regional management positions with Deere & Company in South America and Europe for seven years. Greg speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Russian and English.
Concerning: U.S. Foodservice
Public to Private: a View from the Inside:
In 2006, U.S. Foodservice was owned by Royal Ahold N.V., a public company with its headquarters in The Netherlands, and posted revenues of almost $20 Billion. In 2007, private equity firms Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. acquired U.S. Foodservice. Even though the company had recently taken a number of actions to improve its EHS performance, it was asked by its real estate lenders to place a very substantial cash reserve in escrow to cover potential environmental problems. U.S. Foodservice worked with Delta during the deal to halve the escrow requirement and subsequently recover it in its entirety. Ana and Joe will discuss how U.S. Foodservice systematically addressed environmental improvements and implemented the management systems necessary for the success of their programs and the management of EHS business risk.
In 2006, U.S. Foodservice was owned by Royal Ahold N.V., a public company with its headquarters in The Netherlands, and posted revenues of almost $20 Billion. In 2007, private equity firms Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. acquired U.S. Foodservice. Even though the company had recently taken a number of actions to improve its EHS performance, it was asked by its real estate lenders to place a very substantial cash reserve in escrow to cover potential environmental problems. U.S. Foodservice worked with Delta during the deal to halve the escrow requirement and subsequently recover it in its entirety. Ana and Joe will discuss how U.S. Foodservice systematically addressed environmental improvements and implemented the management systems necessary for the success of their programs and the management of EHS business risk.
U.S. Foodservice
Joe Miller
Vice President of Safety and Environmental Programs.
Ana M. Fernandez
Corporate Director of Environmental Programs.
Before joining USF, Ana worked for Coca-Cola at their Bottling Company, CCE, in the Corporate Environmental Affairs Department. At CCE Ana brokered the Charter Partnership with EPA's Smart Way Transport Program. Ana has been in the environmental field for over 20 years in various roles ranging from consulting to regulatory work. She is President of the Atlanta Chapter of NAEM - the National Association for Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and Sustainability management - and a graduate of IGEL. IGEL is the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. Ana is in the professional MBA program at Georgia State University and enjoys fishing, golfing, tennis, gardening, and playing with her three dogs - when she has time.
Before joining USF, Ana worked for Coca-Cola at their Bottling Company, CCE, in the Corporate Environmental Affairs Department. At CCE Ana brokered the Charter Partnership with EPA's Smart Way Transport Program. Ana has been in the environmental field for over 20 years in various roles ranging from consulting to regulatory work. She is President of the Atlanta Chapter of NAEM - the National Association for Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and Sustainability management - and a graduate of IGEL. IGEL is the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. Ana is in the professional MBA program at Georgia State University and enjoys fishing, golfing, tennis, gardening, and playing with her three dogs - when she has time.


